How to maximize a window on Mac without going full screen
The green button sends the window to its own full-screen Space. Make it simply fill the screen instead.
Short answer
On macOS, a plain click on the green button goes full screen and Option-click maximizes. MacFixes swaps them: a plain click fills the screen in place, and holding ⌥ gives full screen.
What macOS gives you
A plain click on the green button enters full screen in its own Space. Option-click it to maximize in place instead, or set a title-bar double-click to Zoom (Fill on macOS 15 and later) in Desktop & Dock. macOS 15 also adds Window → Fill (Fn-Control-F), the green button’s menu and dragging a window to the menu bar. But the plain click still goes full screen.
How MacFixes fixes it
- 1Add the fixOpen MacFixes Settings → Windows and add “Maximize without a new Space”. Fixes are off until you add them.
- 2Allow AccessibilitymacOS asks for Accessibility permission so MacFixes can resize the window.
- 3Click greenThe window fills the screen in place. Hold ⌥ while clicking for normal full screen.
This is one of 28 fixes in MacFixes.
Something else your Mac won’t do? Request it — we build it.
Questions
Can I still use full screen?
Yes — hold Option while clicking the green button. Clicking it again puts the window back.