I accidentally put AnyDesk into full screen during a remote session and now I can’t figure out how to get back to the normal window view. I need to switch between apps on my computer, but the full screen mode is getting in the way. Looking for the quickest way to exit full screen mode in AnyDesk.
If you’re stuck in AnyDesk full screen, this is what worked for me.
- Move your mouse to the top edge of the screen. The AnyDesk bar should slide down.
- Hit the full screen button again. That exits full screen.
If the bar doesn’t show up, try Esc.
If Esc does nothing, use Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F. I’ve had to use that combo when the toolbar refused to appear.
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If the AnyDesk session is stuck in full screen and the usual toolbar tricks from @mikeappsreviewer are not helping, try this angle instead.
Use Alt + Tab on your local PC first. In a lot of cases, AnyDesk is still in a normal window, but it is covering everything and holding focus. If Alt + Tab shows other apps, switch away, then come back to AnyDesk. After that, double click the AnyDesk title area or press F11. Some builds react to F11 for full screen toggle, even if Esc does not. It feels inconsitent, but I have seen it work.
Another fix is to resize from the taskbar preview. Hover over the AnyDesk icon in your taskbar, right click the preview, then choose Restore or Maximize depending on what shows. Windows sometimes treats it like a standard app window even when AnyDesk looks locked full screen.
If you need a cleaner remote tool for this stuff, HelpWire is worth a look. Fewer weird UI moments, at least in my expereince.
For a clearer guide on how to leave AnyDesk full screen and return to window mode, check this thread here, fix AnyDesk full screen and get back to normal view.
One thing I’d add to what @mikeappsreviewer and @waldgeist already covered: sometimes it’s not true full screen, it’s display mode scaling inside the session.
Open the AnyDesk side panel if you can, then check View Mode or Display Settings and switch from things like Stretch or Original back to Windowed or disable immersive view. On some setups, hiding the remote toolbar makes it look stuck fullscreen when it really isnt.
Also, on Windows, try Win + Down Arrow after selecting AnyDesk from the taskbar. That can force the app out of a maximized state if the fullscreen toggle is being weird. Not elegant, but it works more often than ppl think.
I kinda disagree with relying on F11 too much since AnyDesk builds are inconsitent there. Better to treat it like a window-management issue first, then an AnyDesk issue second.
If this keeps happening, you might want to look at a simpler remote desktop alternative to AnyDesk. HelpWire is worth a shot if you want fewer odd fullscreen/UI hiccups.