Maximizing windows in Mac OS X

Since December I am a Linux-only user at home, but previously I had a mac. One of my main problems was that it was up to the applications if it would be possible to maximize their windows. There is a zoom button on every window, but the point of that button is not to maximize the window (read more here).

I looked for solutions to this, but even though many other complained about it, I couldn’t find one. The sad thing about many of the threads about this subject is that the people who don’t use maximize tell the ones that do that they don’t need it, because Apple knows better.

Finally I wrote a small application myself. I’ve dug through my archives and I found an XCode project and the maximizer.app. I am not 100% sure that these files are correct, but they probably are. I put the app in the dock and then I only had to start it once to get the maximize functionality.

Currently it is invoked by pressing Command-Option-M (I believe). It is hard coded into the application, and that is not the only ugly thing about it :). I hacked it together, and when I had verified that it worked, I never touched the code again. The application uses only the space available, i.e. it will not cover the dock or the menu bar.

6 thoughts on “Maximizing windows in Mac OS X

  1. New Mac user here… I have downloaded the app, opened it in Finder (Activity Viewer says it’s running), pressed CMD+ALT+M and …nothing happens. Maybe it’s a different shortcut? ;)

  2. A pity I don’t have a mac anymore to try this.

    I am pretty sure the key combo is correct (see my comment at http://www.forevergeek.com/apple/mac_vs_windows_its_all_about_the_maximize_button.php).

    Hmm, now I recall that since I am using the Accessiblity API, it needs to be enabled! Try to follow these steps:

    1. From the Apple Menu, choose System Preferences.
    2. Click Universal Access.
    3. Select Enable Access for Assistive Devices.
    4. Close the Universal Access window.

    See if that works! And remember that you’ll have to focus the window that you want to maximize.

  3. Thanks sooo much! i love my mac and that was one thing that i hated about it.. that i couldn’t max windows… it helps me focus on whatever i’m doing..

    thanks a million!

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