How to Make Full Screen While Playing Counter-Strike 1.6
How to Make Full Screen While Playing Counter-Strike 1.6
If you prefer to play Counter-Strike 1.6 in full screen mode for a more immersive gaming experience, you can easily set it up. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you switch the game to full screen mode. If you don’t have the game installed yet, you can download it here:
- Download Counter-Strike 1.6 (Non-Steam)
- Alternative Download (Non-Steam)
Set Full Screen Mode via Steam Launch Options
If you’re using the Steam version of Counter-Strike 1.6, it’s very easy to enable full screen mode by modifying the launch options. Follow these steps:
- Open Steam and go to your game library.
- Right-click on Counter-Strike 1.6 and select Properties.
- Click on the Set Launch Options button.
- In the text box, enter the following command:
| Command | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
-fullscreen | Forces the game to start in full screen mode. | -fullscreen |
Click OK to save the settings and launch the game. The game should now open in full screen mode.
Modify the Video Settings in the Game
If you’re not using Steam or want to change the settings from within the game itself, follow these steps to set full screen mode:
- Launch Counter-Strike 1.6 and go to the Options menu from the main screen.
- Select the Video tab.
- Find the Display Mode setting.
- Set it to Full Screen.
- Click Apply and restart the game if necessary.
This method works for both Steam and Non-Steam versions of the game, as the video settings are stored within the game configuration.
Modify the Config.cfg File (Non-Steam Users)
If you are playing the Non-Steam version of Counter-Strike 1.6, you can also force full screen mode by editing the config.cfg file:
- Navigate to your Counter-Strike 1.6 installation folder (default location is
C:\Games\Counter-Strike 1.6\cstrike\). - Open the
config.cfgfile with a text editor (like Notepad). - Look for the following lines related to screen resolution and display mode:
| Command | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
width | Screen width. | width "1920" |
height | Screen height. | height "1080" |
gl_mode | Graphics mode (set to 2 for OpenGL). | gl_mode "2" |
fullscreen | Sets the game to full screen mode. | fullscreen "1" |
Make sure to save the file and restart the game. Your game should now run in full screen mode.
Disable Fullscreen Optimizations (Windows 10/11)
Windows’ fullscreen optimization feature can sometimes cause issues with running older games like Counter-Strike 1.6. To ensure that your game runs correctly in full screen mode, disable fullscreen optimizations:
- Navigate to your Counter-Strike 1.6 installation folder.
- Right-click on hl.exe (the game executable) and select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Check the box for Disable fullscreen optimizations.
- Click Apply, then OK.
- Try launching the game again.
Modify Resolution Settings
If the game doesn’t automatically switch to full screen or if you experience any issues, try adjusting the resolution settings in the game. Follow these steps:
- Launch Counter-Strike 1.6.
- Go to the Options menu and select the Video tab.
- Adjust the Resolution to a setting that matches your display. For example,
1920x1080or1280x1024should work well on most modern screens. - Set the Display Mode to Full Screen.
- Click Apply to save the settings.
Update Graphics Drivers
If your full screen settings are not working as expected, outdated graphics drivers could be the problem. Be sure to keep your graphics drivers up to date:
- For NVIDIA users: Open NVIDIA GeForce Experience and check for driver updates.
- For AMD users: Open AMD Radeon Software and check for updates.
- For Intel users: Download and install the latest graphics drivers from the Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
- Once updated, restart your computer and try running the game in full screen again.
Reinstall the Game
If none of the previous solutions work, you may want to reinstall Counter-Strike 1.6 to reset all settings to default. Follow these steps:
- Uninstall Counter-Strike 1.6 from your computer.
- Delete any remaining files in the installation folder.
- Download the game again from one of the following links:
- Download Counter-Strike 1.6 (Non-Steam)
- Alternative Download (Non-Steam)
- Install the game and try launching it again in full screen mode.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully set Counter-Strike 1.6 to full screen mode. Whether you’re playing the Steam or Non-Steam version, these methods will ensure a better gaming experience. If you continue to experience issues, make sure your graphics drivers are up-to-date and check your display settings.
Good luck, and enjoy your game!