How Do I Exit Full Screen on Surface Pro?

To exit full screen on your Surface Pro, the most common and universal method when using a keyboard is to press the Esc key, located in the top-left corner of your keyboard.

Exiting full screen on a Surface Pro can vary slightly depending on the application or context you are in. Whether you're watching a video, browsing the web, or playing a game, there are several straightforward ways to return to a standard windowed view or your desktop.

Using the Esc Key for a Quick Exit

The Esc key (Escape key) is your primary tool for exiting most full-screen modes. It's designed to help you exit a current mode, stop a sequence, or back out of an action. For many applications, including media players and computer games, simply pressing this key will immediately take you out of full-screen mode.

Common Methods to Exit Full Screen

Here's a breakdown of common techniques to exit full-screen mode across various scenarios on your Surface Pro:

1. Keyboard Shortcuts

If your Surface Pro is connected to a Type Cover or an external keyboard, these shortcuts are highly effective:

Esc Key: As mentioned, this is the most universal method for many applications, including web browsers, video players (like Netflix, YouTube), and most PC games.
F11 Key: For web browsers (like Edge, Chrome, Firefox), the F11 key is typically a toggle for full-screen mode. Pressing it once enters full screen, and pressing it again exits.
Alt + Enter: In some games or specific applications, this combination can toggle between full-screen and windowed modes.
Windows Key + Down Arrow (twice): This will minimize the active window, effectively taking you out of full screen.
Ctrl + Shift + F: Some applications, particularly older ones or specific document editors, might use this combination.
Alt + Spacebar, then N/R/X: For more generalized window control, pressing Alt + Spacebar opens the window control menu. You can then select 'Restore' (R) to exit full screen or 'Minimize' (N) or 'Close' (X).

2. Touch and Gesture-Based Methods (Tablet Mode)

When using your Surface Pro purely as a tablet without a keyboard, exiting full screen relies more on touch gestures:

Tap the Screen: For many full-screen apps, a single tap on the screen will reveal controls or the system UI (like the taskbar or title bar), which may include a "Restore" or "Exit Full Screen" icon.
Swipe from Edges:
- Swipe down from the top edge (or tap the top edge): This can sometimes reveal the title bar with control buttons (minimize, restore, close) for UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps.
- Swipe in from the right edge: Opens the Action Center, which doesn't directly exit full screen but can help if you need to access other functions.
- Swipe in from the left edge: Shows your open tasks in Task View, allowing you to switch applications.
Look for Icons: Many full-screen apps, especially media players, will have a dedicated "Exit Full Screen" or "Windowed Mode" icon, often a small square or two overlapping squares, typically found in a corner of the screen when controls are visible.

3. Application-Specific Controls

Some applications have unique ways to manage full screen:

Video Players: Most streaming services (e.g., YouTube, Netflix, Hulu) will display a full-screen toggle icon (often a diagonal arrow or square) when you move your mouse or tap the screen. Clicking this icon will exit full screen.
PowerPoint/Presentations: While in presentation mode, pressing Esc will end the slideshow.
PDF Readers: Depending on the reader, Esc often works, or look for a menu option to exit full screen.

Quick Reference Table: Exiting Full Screen

Here's a handy table summarizing common methods:

Scenario	Keyboard Shortcut	Touch/Mouse Action	Notes
General Apps / Games	Esc	Tap screen to reveal controls; look for exit icon	Most universal method.
Web Browsers	F11 (toggle)	Click full-screen icon if visible	Applies to Edge, Chrome, Firefox, etc.
Media Players/Video	Esc	Click full-screen icon on player controls	Examples: YouTube, Netflix, local video players.
Presentations	Esc	N/A	Ends slideshow in PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.
Minimize Window	Windows Key + Down Arrow (press twice)	Swipe down from top (UWP apps); then click minimize icon	Useful if Esc doesn't work for a specific app.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you're stuck in full-screen mode and the usual methods aren't working:

Try Alt + F4: This shortcut is a universal command to close the active window, which will definitely take you out of full screen.
Use Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. You can then select the full-screen application from the "Apps" list and click "End task."
Restart the Application: If all else fails, closing and reopening the application often resolves the issue.

By understanding these various methods, you can quickly and easily exit full-screen mode on your Surface Pro, enhancing your productivity and user experience.