Are you an avid gamer or graphic designer looking to enhance your overall experience on your computer or laptop? Then you’ve most likely stumbled upon the option to switch between ‘borderless windowed’ and ‘windowed’ modes. But what exactly is the difference between the two? Well, lucky for you, we’ve got you covered.
In a nutshell, ‘borderless windowed’ mode is essentially a full-screen mode where the game or application is running within a window. This means that you have the freedom to seamlessly switch between the game/application and other windows on your computer or adjust settings without having to minimize the game. On the other hand, ‘windowed’ mode is simply a smaller window that you can move around on your screen.
So why would you choose one over the other? It really comes down to personal preference and the task at hand. If you’re looking for a more immersive experience in a game, for example, borderless windowed mode might be the way to go. However, if you’re multitasking or need to keep an eye on different windows or applications at the same time, windowed mode might be the better option. So, the choice is ultimately yours!
Gaming Display Modes
Gaming display modes refer to the different options available to choose from when setting up your game graphics. One of the most important choices that gamers make when setting up their gaming display modes is whether to use a borderless windowed or windowed mode.
When using a borderless windowed mode, your game will run in a window that is the same size as your desktop. The advantage of using this mode is that it allows you to switch between your game and other windows quickly. You can also easily record your gameplay, chat with friends, and do other things while playing your game. This mode is also useful if you have multiple screens as it allows you to move your mouse from your game to other screens seamlessly.
- Advantages of borderless windowed mode:
- Quickly switch between game and other windows
- Multitask while playing
- Use multiple screens easily
On the other hand, when using a windowed mode, your game will run in a small or large window that is separate from your desktop. This mode can be useful if you have a slow computer or if your game is very demanding. The windowed mode can help improve the performance of your game by reducing the amount of graphics that your computer has to render.
- Advantages of windowed mode:
- Useful for low-end computers
- Helps improve game performance
Whether to choose borderless windowed or windowed mode depends on your personal preference and your computer setup. Some gamers may prefer using borderless windowed mode because it allows them to continue working while playing their game, while others may prefer windowed mode because it can help improve game performance on slower computers. Ultimately, the decision will come down to what works best for you and your gaming needs.
Gaming Display Modes – Fullscreen and Fullscreen Windowed
Aside from borderless windowed mode and windowed mode, two other display modes that gamers can choose from are fullscreen and fullscreen windowed mode.
In a fullscreen mode, your game occupies the entire screen and the computer does not render any other windows or apps in the background. This gives you the most immersive gaming experience as it allows you to fully immerse yourself in the game. However, it also means that you cannot see or access other windows or apps while playing the game.
Fullscreen windowed mode, on the other hand, is a combination of both fullscreen and borderless windowed modes. In this mode, your game still runs in fullscreen, but you can move your mouse across multiple screens. This mode is useful for gamers who have multiple screens and want the full immersive experience of fullscreen mode, but also want to be able to switch back to their desktop easily.
| Display Mode | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Borderless Windowed | Quickly switch between game and other windows, multitask while playing, use multiple screens easily | May cause lag or frame rate drops |
| Windowed | Useful for low-end computers, helps improve game performance | Smaller game window may not be full screen, can be less immersive |
| Fullscreen | Most immersive gaming experience | Cannot see or access other windows or apps while playing |
| Fullscreen Windowed | Combines benefits of fullscreen and borderless windowed modes, can move mouse across multiple screens | May cause lag or frame rate drops |
Ultimately, the choice of which display mode to use depends on the gamer’s preferences and computer setup. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each mode, gamers can choose the one that best suits their needs and enhances their gaming experience.
Full Screen vs Windowed Modes
One of the most common decisions that gamers have to make is whether to play in full screen or windowed mode. In full screen mode, the game takes up the entire screen and some gamers argue that it offers a more immersive experience. On the other hand, windowed mode allows you to multitask while playing the game and is often preferred by gamers who like to check other applications while playing.
- Full screen mode: When playing a game in full screen mode, you’re opting for the most immersive experience possible. With no distractions from the desktop or other open windows, it’s easy to get lost in the game world and feel like you’re actually there. Full screen mode can also offer higher graphics quality as the game is using 100% of your monitor.
- Windowed mode: Windowed mode allows you to continue using your computer while playing a game. You can easily switch to messages, emails, or any other application you need to check while playing. Windowed mode also allows you to read and reply to a forum post or search up a YouTube tutorial while playing. The downside to this mode is that your computer may struggle to handle other tasks while running the game at the same time.
Borderless Windowed vs Windowed
Another option that gamers have is whether to play in borderless windowed mode or regular windowed mode. In regular windowed mode, the game is confined to a specific window that can be resized and moved around. On the other hand, in borderless windowed mode, the game is still in a window, but the window has no borders or menu bars. This gives the player the benefits of both full screen and windowed modes.
| Regular Windowed Mode | Borderless Windowed Mode |
|---|---|
| Resizes like a regular window | Cannot be resized |
| Can be minimized and moved around | Can only be minimized |
| Has borders and menu bars | No borders or menu bars |
Borderless windowed mode is especially useful for multiple monitor setups. It allows the game to take up the whole screen, without blocking out the ability to work or use other applications on the other monitors. Additionally, borderless windowed mode offers the same flexibility as regular windowed mode, allowing the player to easily switch between the game and other windows.
In summary, full screen mode is best for gamers who want a complete and immersive experience without any distractions, while windowed mode offers flexibility for those who want to use other applications while playing the game. Borderless windowed mode is a newer mode that offers the best of both worlds, by giving the player the benefits of full screen mode while still allowing them to work and multitask on other applications. Ultimately, the mode you choose will come down to personal preference and the type of gaming experience you’re seeking.
The Pros and Cons of Borderless Windowed mode
Borderless Windowed mode is a video game display mode that allows the game window to occupy the screen fully without borders or restrictions. This feature provides a greater immersive experience to players and enhances the game’s performance. Here are the pros and cons of Borderless Windowed mode:
- Pros:
- Borderless Windowed mode provides a seamless transition between the running game and other applications, allowing players to multitask without any hassle. This feature is ideal for streamers who need to run multiple applications while playing the game.
- Players can easily access their desktop and other applications without having to minimize the game or switch between windows.
- Borderless Windowed mode delivers a better performance than the Fullscreen mode, as it doesn’t require the game to render the desktop before displaying the game window. This mode also reduces the game’s loading time, making it more playable for players who have lower-end PCs.
- The Borderless Windowed mode also provides more flexibility to players who prefer custom resolutions. This feature allows players to adjust the game’s resolution to fit their specific needs and allows the game to run in a window with fewer restrictions.
Overall, Borderless Windowed mode is a useful feature that enhances the gaming experience for players who like to multitask or run the game in custom resolutions. However, it also has some drawbacks that players need to consider before choosing this feature. Players should choose a display mode that fits their specific needs and preferences while providing the best performance for their hardware.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Allows players to multitask without any hassle. | May cause screen-tearing if the monitor’s refresh rate is not synced with the game’s refresh rate. |
| Provides a better performance than Fullscreen mode. | Can cause input lag, making it hard for competitive players to play at their best. |
| Enables players to access their desktop and other applications without having to minimize the game. | May cause some background programs to interfere with the game’s performance, leading to lags and crashes. |
| Provides more flexibility to players who prefer custom resolutions. |
How to Switch between Display Modes
Switching between display modes is easy, and it can be done within most games or through the graphics control panel of your graphics card. Different games may have different options or settings, so it’s important to know where to look when you want to switch display modes. Here’s how to switch between borderless windowed mode and windowed mode:
- In-game option: Many games have a display mode option in their settings menu. You can usually access this by clicking on “options” or “settings” from the main menu or in-game menu. From there, look for the display or graphics settings and find the option for either borderless windowed mode or windowed mode.
- Graphics control panel: If you have an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, you can usually access the graphics control panel by right-clicking on your desktop. From there, look for the display or display settings and find the option for either borderless windowed mode or windowed mode.
- Third-party software: There are also third-party programs that allow you to switch between display modes. Some popular options are ShiftWindow or Borderless Gaming.
Once you’ve found the option for the display mode you want, simply select it and the game or program will switch to that mode. It’s important to note that switching between display modes may affect performance and can cause issues like screen tearing or input lag, so it’s always a good idea to test different modes and settings to find what works best for your system.
If you’re not sure which display mode to use, check your system requirements or consult the game or program’s documentation for recommendations. In general, borderless windowed mode is a good option for multi-tasking or if you need to switch between applications frequently, while windowed mode can provide better performance and stability in some cases.
| Display Mode | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Borderless Windowed Mode | Allows for easy multi-tasking, seamless switching between applications, and can reduce alt-tabbing issues. | May reduce performance, can cause input lag or screen tearing, and may not be supported by all games or programs. |
| Windowed Mode | Can provide better performance and stability, may be easier to use with multiple monitors, and can reduce system resource usage. | May not support all resolutions, can be less immersive, and may look less visually appealing. |
Ultimately, the choice between borderless windowed mode and windowed mode will depend on your personal preferences and the needs of the game or program you’re using. By understanding the differences between these display modes and how to switch between them, you can optimize your system for the best possible performance and user experience.
The Impact of Display Mode on Gaming Performance
One of the most basic decisions a gamer must make before launching a game is choosing the display mode. There are two main display modes: borderless windowed and windowed. Each mode has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages that can significantly affect gaming performance.
- Borderless Windowed Mode: Borderless windowed mode, as the name implies, is a window with no borders that takes up the entire screen. It provides a more immersive gaming experience as the game window appears to be seamless with the rest of the desktop. Borderless windowed mode can be particularly useful for multi-tasking as it allows the player to easily switch between the game and other applications.
- Windowed Mode: Windowed mode is a smaller game window that runs within the desktop environment. It offers the advantage of being able to easily switch between the game and other applications. Windowed mode is often used by casual gamers who do not need a fully immersive gaming experience and prefer the flexibility of being able to perform other tasks on their computer while gaming.
While borderless windowed mode can offer a more realistic and immersive gaming experience, it can also be more demanding on the computer’s hardware, resulting in lower gaming performance. This is because borderless windowed mode must constantly render not only the game but also the desktop environment in the background, resulting in a higher workload for the computer.
In contrast, windowed mode only renders the game window itself, resulting in less demand on the computer’s resources and a higher gaming performance. However, windowed mode can also be limited in terms of resolution and graphics quality.
To illustrate the impact of display mode on gaming performance, consider the following table:
| Display Mode | Resolution | Graphics Quality | Frames Per Second (FPS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borderless Windowed | 1920×1080 | High | 45 |
| Windowed | 1280×720 | Medium | 60 |
As shown in the table above, borderless windowed mode with a resolution of 1920×1080 and high graphics quality runs at a lower frame rate than windowed mode with a resolution of 1280×720 and medium graphics quality.
Ultimately, the choice of display mode will depend on a gamer’s individual preferences and priorities. Those who prioritize immersion and multi-tasking may prefer borderless windowed mode, while those who prioritize performance may prefer windowed mode.
Windowed vs Fullscreen: Which is Better?
As we discussed earlier, borderless windowed and windowed modes are both variations of the traditional fullscreen mode in PC games. When it comes to deciding between windowed and fullscreen mode, it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
However, there are some differences between the two that may affect your decision. Here are some factors to consider:
- Windowed mode allows you to quickly switch between applications or adjust your settings without having to minimize the game, which is not possible in fullscreen mode.
- Fullscreen mode typically offers a better gaming experience as there is no border or taskbar visible, allowing for complete immersion in the game.
- Windowed mode can cause input lag, which is the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen. This is because operating systems prioritize windowed applications over games.
- Fullscreen mode can cause issues with screen tearing and stuttering, especially if your computer is not powerful enough to handle the game at a high framerate.
- Borderless windowed mode eliminates the need to choose between windowed and fullscreen mode by combining the benefits of both. It allows for quick alt-tabbing and doesn’t cause input lag or screen tearing.
- However, borderless windowed mode can still cause a drop in framerate and reduced performance compared to fullscreen mode. This is because the game is still running in a window, albeit without the border.
Ultimately, the decision between windowed and fullscreen mode depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize a completely immersive gaming experience, then fullscreen mode may be the way to go. However, if you need to multitask or adjust settings frequently, then windowed mode may be a better choice. Borderless windowed mode may be the best of both worlds, but it can still come at a slight performance cost.
It’s important to note that some games offer additional display options, such as windowed fullscreen, which essentially functions as borderless windowed mode. It’s always a good idea to experiment with different display settings and determine what works best for you and your hardware.
| Mode | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Fullscreen | Complete immersion in game | Possible screen tearing and stuttering |
| Windowed | Ability to multitask | Possible input lag |
| Borderless Windowed | Combines benefits of both modes | Possible drop in framerate |
Ultimately, the decision of which mode to use comes down to personal preference and individual needs. Experiment with the different modes available and find the one that works best for your setup.
The User Experience of Borderless Windowed mode
Borderless Windowed mode is becoming increasingly popular among gamers and streamers. This mode provides a unique user experience that differs from traditional windowed mode. Here are some key differences that affect the user experience:
- Seamless transition between game and desktop: In borderless windowed mode, the game runs in a window without any borders or title bars. This makes it easy to switch between the game and other applications on the desktop, without the need to minimize or close the game. This is particularly useful for streamers who need to monitor chat or manage their streaming software while playing.
- Improved multitasking: With borderless windowed mode, users can easily switch between the game and other windows on their desktop, making multitasking a breeze. For example, players can quickly check their email or social media feeds during a loading screen without disrupting their gameplay.
- Smooth transition between resolutions: Borderless windowed mode allows for a smoother transition between different screen resolutions. When the user switches between the game and other windows, there is no change in the resolution. This means that the game will always run at the chosen resolution, ensuring a consistent experience across different applications.
Overall, borderless windowed mode provides a more seamless and flexible user experience than traditional windowed mode, making it an attractive option for gamers and streamers alike.
Conclusion
If you’re a gamer or streamer looking for a more flexible and seamless user experience, borderless windowed mode may be worth considering. With its smooth transition between game and desktop, improved multitasking, and consistent resolution, it offers a new way to enjoy your favorite games and applications.
Whether you’re a casual gamer or a serious streamer, borderless windowed mode is a feature that is definitely worth checking out.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Seamless transition between game and desktop | May require more processing power |
| Improved multitasking | May cause screen tearing |
| Smooth transition between resolutions | Not all games support borderless windowed mode |
Ultimately, the decision between borderless windowed and traditional windowed mode will depend on your personal preferences and the games you play. It is always recommended to experiment with both modes to see which one suits you best.
What is the difference between borderless windowed and windowed?
1. What is windowed mode?
Windowed mode refers to a display mode that runs an application in a resizable window in the system. It means that the application is running in a bordered window with title bars, menu bars, and other window decorations.
2. What is borderless windowed mode?
Borderless windowed mode is similar to windowed mode, but it runs an application in a fullscreen window without any border or decoration. It means that the window fills the entire screen while still allowing you to use other applications.
3. Which one is better for gaming?
Borderless windowed mode offers a seamless experience for gamers as it allows you to switch between the game and other applications quickly. Windowed mode, on the other hand, can cause performance issues as it runs the game in a smaller window.
4. How do I switch between the two modes?
The process of switching between windowed mode and borderless windowed mode varies depending on the game or application. You can usually find the option to switch modes in the game settings or video settings.
5. Does the mode affect the graphics quality?
No, the mode does not affect the graphics quality of the game or application. Both modes display the same graphics quality; the only difference is the way the window is displayed on the screen.
Closing Thoughts
We hope these FAQs have helped you better understand the difference between borderless windowed and windowed modes. Now you know which mode is best for gaming and how to switch between the two modes. Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you again soon.