Maximizing a window, but not full screen

[jerwin]

I've used Macs for long time--since at least System 7, but I never figured out the newish window widgets.

red means close window. Got it.
yellow means minimize. Something I rarely use, but perfectly logical.
green used to mean "maximize window", but it now means "full screen mode". I found the old behavior to be useful; the newer behavior, not so much.

The thing is, I have a retina imac. To the right is my auxiliary screen, merely "Full HD". I use both in various combinations. The larger screen is right in front of me, has better color gamut, is IPS and has that higher resolution. The smaller one is TN screen, has lower resolution, is in my peripheral vision, and the color is much poorer. I keep it on because I like the extra room.

So you might imagine that I swap windows between screens from time to time. The trouble is, sometimes, the windows are too large to fit on the smaller of my two monitors. (When using macosx 10.5-10.8, I had a imac 20 inch coupled with monitors that were not 1650x1050, so I've been using unequal size monitors for a long time.)

In previous versions of macosx, I was able to use the maximize button to resize the window to fit the bounds of my screen, and the lower right hand corner would become accessible. Then I could resize as desired. Now, it's not so easy. I can't get to the lower left and corner because the window is too high and too wide to fit the resize widget in the screen, and the "resize window to fit screen" button no longer exists.

How can I resolve this annoyance?

 

[Ritsuka]

No, green used to mean "size to fix" or "zoom" or whatever the developer of the app thought it was best.
If you want the old behaviour you can either double click on the window title bar of keep the alt key pressed while you click on the green button.

 

[redheeler]

Option-click the green button to get the old behavior back. While fullscreen mode is useful on smaller screens like my 13" rMBP, I agree there needs to be a setting to make this the default on larger screens.

You can also double-click a window's title bar/toolbar to do that as long as you don't have "Double-click a window's title bar to minimize" checked in System Preferences > Dock.

 

[jerwin]

ah, Option click works. Thanks. My sanity is restored

 

[azpc]

I found this excellent request on Facebook.

Explanation of the proposed feature:

Set the default option to Full Screen. In System Preferences provide an option to change to the default to:

- Maximize to Content (Window will reshape according to content)
- Maximize Window. (Window will expand to fill entire desktop except for the Menu Bar and the Dock)


Apple should implement this. Why?

Maximize options contribute to productivity and customer satisfaction. It is not a difficult task for Apple.

Full screen is excellent for those with a small laptop screen. However, ninety percent of the world is used to option 3 because of Windows and Linux. Approximately, ten percent of computer users are used to maximize to content (pre Yosemite Macs). With this option the user can pick the best setting for their work style.

Recently, I started questioning users who felt strongly about this issue and received a new insight. Nearly all the users had large screen Macs. They had purchased a large screen because they could get more icons and options on the screen. Having more icons viewable on the screen was a productivity issue for them. By hiding the Dock and Menu Bar they felt that Apple was fighting against them.

Advantages of an option in System Preferences:

These options will enable customers to maximize their productivity style.
- Some like to work with one window only and use trackpad gestures to switch apps.
- Some people like multiple windows scattered over the desktop.
- Some multitask via the Dock. Fully maximized window covering the desktop and use the Dock to switch apps.

No one method is incorrect. Just like Myers Briggs has identified multiple personalities the computer world has multiple productivity styles.

I would like to see the Mac market triple in size, competition is good for progress. I know this option will help the Mac gain market share. I have seen too many ex-Windows users stare in shock when they find out that their beautiful new Mac cannot easily maximize a window over the desktop.

- "Where did my menu bar and Dock go?"
- "How come I have to wait for the menu to appear."
- "I want my Dock to remain visible, how can I change this?"
- "I purchased a large screen so I can have more icons and options on the screen. Why is Apple fighting me?"
- "I have to purchase a third party app to maximize a window? You're kidding right?"
- "I have always heard that the Mac was really easy and well thought out. This is like the dark ages!"

A basic rule of marketing - make a superior product and make it easy to switch to.
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Professors Chip & Dan Heath
If you agree, please contact Apple at:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

You may also want to send Tim Cook, Apple CEO a request on his Twitter account.

Thank you and have a great day!

 

[Shirasaki]

I found this excellent request on Facebook.

Explanation of the proposed feature:

Set the default option to Full Screen. In System Preferences provide an option to change to the default to:

- Maximize to Content (Window will reshape according to content)
- Maximize Window. (Window will expand to fill entire desktop except for the Menu Bar and the Dock)


Apple should implement this. Why?

Maximize options contribute to productivity and customer satisfaction. It is not a difficult task for Apple.

Full screen is excellent for those with a small laptop screen. However, ninety percent of the world is used to option 3 because of Windows and Linux. Approximately, ten percent of computer users are used to maximize to content (pre Yosemite Macs). With this option the user can pick the best setting for their work style.

Recently, I started questioning users who felt strongly about this issue and received a new insight. Nearly all the users had large screen Macs. They had purchased a large screen because they could get more icons and options on the screen. Having more icons viewable on the screen was a productivity issue for them. By hiding the Dock and Menu Bar they felt that Apple was fighting against them.

Advantages of an option in System Preferences:

These options will enable customers to maximize their productivity style.
- Some like to work with one window only and use trackpad gestures to switch apps.
- Some people like multiple windows scattered over the desktop.
- Some multitask via the Dock. Fully maximized window covering the desktop and use the Dock to switch apps.

No one method is incorrect. Just like Myers Briggs has identified multiple personalities the computer world has multiple productivity styles.

I would like to see the Mac market triple in size, competition is good for progress. I know this option will help the Mac gain market share. I have seen too many ex-Windows users stare in shock when they find out that their beautiful new Mac cannot easily maximize a window over the desktop.

- "Where did my menu bar and Dock go?"
- "How come I have to wait for the menu to appear."
- "I want my Dock to remain visible, how can I change this?"
- "I purchased a large screen so I can have more icons and options on the screen. Why is Apple fighting me?"
- "I have to purchase a third party app to maximize a window? You're kidding right?"
- "I have always heard that the Mac was really easy and well thought out. This is like the dark ages!"

A basic rule of marketing - make a superior product and make it easy to switch to.
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Professors Chip & Dan Heath
If you agree, please contact Apple at:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

You may also want to send Tim Cook, Apple CEO a request on his Twitter account.

Thank you and have a great day!

Have you seen her old green button post?

There is another one thinking adding this function is useless, or at least, not so necessary.

 

[bladerunner2000]

I found this excellent request on Facebook.

Explanation of the proposed feature:

Set the default option to Full Screen. In System Preferences provide an option to change to the default to:

- Maximize to Content (Window will reshape according to content)
- Maximize Window. (Window will expand to fill entire desktop except for the Menu Bar and the Dock)


Apple should implement this. Why?

Maximize options contribute to productivity and customer satisfaction. It is not a difficult task for Apple.

Full screen is excellent for those with a small laptop screen. However, ninety percent of the world is used to option 3 because of Windows and Linux. Approximately, ten percent of computer users are used to maximize to content (pre Yosemite Macs). With this option the user can pick the best setting for their work style.

Recently, I started questioning users who felt strongly about this issue and received a new insight. Nearly all the users had large screen Macs. They had purchased a large screen because they could get more icons and options on the screen. Having more icons viewable on the screen was a productivity issue for them. By hiding the Dock and Menu Bar they felt that Apple was fighting against them.

Advantages of an option in System Preferences:

These options will enable customers to maximize their productivity style.
- Some like to work with one window only and use trackpad gestures to switch apps.
- Some people like multiple windows scattered over the desktop.
- Some multitask via the Dock. Fully maximized window covering the desktop and use the Dock to switch apps.

No one method is incorrect. Just like Myers Briggs has identified multiple personalities the computer world has multiple productivity styles.

I would like to see the Mac market triple in size, competition is good for progress. I know this option will help the Mac gain market share. I have seen too many ex-Windows users stare in shock when they find out that their beautiful new Mac cannot easily maximize a window over the desktop.

- "Where did my menu bar and Dock go?"
- "How come I have to wait for the menu to appear."
- "I want my Dock to remain visible, how can I change this?"
- "I purchased a large screen so I can have more icons and options on the screen. Why is Apple fighting me?"
- "I have to purchase a third party app to maximize a window? You're kidding right?"
- "I have always heard that the Mac was really easy and well thought out. This is like the dark ages!"

A basic rule of marketing - make a superior product and make it easy to switch to.
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Professors Chip & Dan Heath
If you agree, please contact Apple at:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

You may also want to send Tim Cook, Apple CEO a request on his Twitter account.

Thank you and have a great day!

If Apple doesn't add this in El Capitan, it's I'll stick it to them by staying on Mavericks.

 

[Shirasaki]

What about merging this post to that green button post?