How to run a game in windowed mode

Computers are often used not only for work, but also for entertainment, including games. A game, just like any other application on a computer, can run in full screen mode or in a windowed mode. Depending on the situation, it may be convenient to use one or another option. There are many ways to start the game in windowed mode, and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Table of contents:
1. Using game settings
2. Using “hot keys”
3. Using “-window” property for shortcut
4. Using third party applications
- Utilities for launching a game in a windowed mode
- Emulators to launch a game in a windowed mode

Using game settings

The easiest way to transfer a game from full-screen to windowed mode is to use the game settings. Most often, the switch between the window mode and the regular mode is in the “Display” or “Graphics” options. However, not all games allow you to do this.

Using “hot keys”

Experienced Windows users perfectly know a set of “hot keys” that allows to switch from one version of the system to another and to quickly perform all sorts of actions. There is a way in the system to transfer an application or game to windowed mode. To do this, it is enough to simultaneously press Alt + Enter keys on the keyboard. After that, the full screen mode will change to windowed mode or vice versa.

Using “-window” property for shortcut

If the game does not respond to any of the above methods, or there is no possibility to change its display mode in the settings, you can try adding the windowed mode parameter to the shortcut. To do this, find the game shortcut on the desktop and right-click on it. In the drop-down menu, select “Properties”. There will open a new window and in this window you need to enter the “–window” parameter. This property must be written in the “Target” column, as shown in the example below.

When the required parameter is registered, click “OK” to save the changes. After that, start the game through this shortcut, and it will open in windowed mode.

Using third party applications

There are two types of applications that allow you to run programs in windowed mode – these are specialized utilities and emulator applications. Let’s take a closer look at both of these options.

Utilities for launching a game in a windowed mode

There are many auxiliary applications that allow you to start the game in windowed mode. Let’s take D3DWindower as an example. This utility can be downloaded for free from the official website of its developers. After downloading the program, follow these steps to open the game in windowed mode:

1. Install applications in a folder;
2. Start the application and click on the plus sign. There will open a window where you need to select the game you want, and then click on the icon with the closed folder;
3. There will open a settings window where you need to set the following parameters:
4. The first two fields indicate the width and height of the window. Make sure that a check mark at the right is activated;
5. In the lower right part of the window, click the button and select the file called D3DHook.dll from the folder where the D3DWindower application is installed;
6. Save the settings;
7. After that you only have to press the “Run program” button, which has a computer icon (this button is the third on the right).

Now there will open a window where the necessary game will start.

Emulators to launch a game in a windowed mode

Emulators are the most difficult way and they should be used as a last resort. \this way implies a complete emulation of the operating system inside the window, followed by launching a game inside it. There are many emulators, both paid and free. Among the most famous options are Windows Virtual PC and Vmware.

Depending on which emulator you will use, the list of actions that you need to perform to start the game varies. In general, the process looks as follows:

1. An emulator must be installed on the computer and started;
2. Next, in the emulator, you need to specify the path to the files used to install the operating system;
3. After that, you need to wait for the OS installation and restart the emulator;
4. Next, you need to install your game in the emulator and start it.

It is worth noting that for the emulator operation you will need to have about 20 GB of free space on the hard drive (only for installation). In addition, emulators are quite demanding to computer resources.