Windows – How to make Chrome application shortcuts start maximized

google-chromewindows 7

Chrome no longer seems to open my application shortcuts (pinned to the Windows 7 taskbar) in a maximized window. I didn't used to have this problem — in the past, I'd simply create a new application shortcut on the taskbar (e.g., Gmail, Google+), open the shortcut, maximize the window, close it, and Chrome would remember that I wanted that shortcut maximized next time. That's no longer the case. Seems like this functionality has been broken since Chrome 13 or 14. (At least on my system.)

My operating environment:

  • Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
  • Chrome 14.0.835.186 m
  • Shortcuts are pinned to the Windows 7 taskbar

How can I make Chrome application shortcuts start maximized? I've tried most of the supposed solutions I could find ( How to start Google Chrome with maximized window? ), to no avail.

Adding -start-maximized or --start-maximized to the shortcut target command line works perfectly for my regular Chrome shortcut, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on application shortcuts.

Anyone know how to force application shortcuts to start maximized?

Best Answer

I can not solve your problem directly, but I have the best workaround possible.

You can also create desktop shortcuts for other websites and apps you regularly use, even if they're not installed from the Chrome Web Store. Follow these steps:

  1. Click the wrench icon icon on the browser toolbar.
  2. Select Tools.
  3. Select Create application shortcuts.
  4. In the dialog that appears, choose where you'd like the shortcuts to be placed on your computer.
  5. Click Create. -this guide to creating Application shortcuts has been copied from Google's support pages.

Here is what your looking for...

  1. Right click on the shortcut or menu item you use to start the program.
  2. Now, click on properties.
  3. Note the item labeled Run that's set to "Normal Window". Change that to "Maximized".

After this is done, you can drag and drop the shortcut to the start menu or taskbar and you should be fine. I tried this with Windows Vista, and it worked great. I see no reason why this shouldn't work for Windows 7

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