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When you try to switch a console to fullscreen in Windows 7, it gives the error This system does not support fullscreen mode. Of note is the part about “this system”, intimating that some systems do support fullscreen consoles. Similarly, if you try to use the SetConsoleDisplayMode API function, it returns error 120: This function is not supported on this system., again with the “this system”.

Most systems could do fullscreen consoles in Windows XP, and it works in Windows 7’s Safe Mode, so what the heck does Windows 7 need for this to work in a normal boot?

Fullscreen Console Error Message

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    I was going to try to test, but I do not have a hardware 32-bit version of Windows 7. It does work under a VMWare VM without problems.
    – KCotreau
    Jul 25, 2011 at 11:54
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    @grawity, even today, the POST is in 80x50. Modern graphics-cards still support VESA.
    – Synetech
    Jul 26, 2011 at 0:30
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    @Synetech inc: In all those systems, I see an 80x25 screen. 25 lines, not 50. Jul 26, 2011 at 6:25
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    How do you produce that message box (in the screenshot)? On my Windows 7 system (64-bit Home Premium), Alt+Enter does nothing, and there is no 'Fullscreen' menu item. Nov 22, 2012 at 12:05
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    @AndreasRejbrand, you are correct; I just tried it on a 64-bit system with the same results as you. I guess it was removed altogether from 64-bit Windows. :-|
    – Synetech
    Nov 22, 2012 at 18:10

3 Answers 3

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As suggested, I'll post my comment from earlier as a separate answer:

The problem is that the new driver model does not support VGA text mode programs. Whether those are 8, 16, 32, or even 64 bit doesn't matter. I don't know if any of the old VGA modes in fullscreen are supported, actually. See support.microsoft.com/kb/926657

The major thing to note is that this is the fault of the driver model, not the graphics capabilities of the card. Virtually every single graphics card out there supports the basic VGA modes, both standard VGA and at least some relatively common subset of VESA modes. I do not really know anything about the reasoning behind Microsoft dropping that functionality—it's not like motherboard vendors or graphics card manufacturers are going to all of a sudden decide to drop support for VGA.

(Also note that virtually all modern cards in their native modes are not VGA, but a completely different thing. They just all happen to speak the set of base VGA standards.)

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    Probably because it was considered not worth the effort to support VGA full-screen console in WDDM, especially because 64-bit Windows has no NTVDM.
    – Yuhong Bao
    Apr 4, 2012 at 7:16
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    I'm not sure what the lack of NTVDM has to do with it; NTVDM has nothing to do with the display driver models, either the old or the new. I suspect the major reason that they dropped support for it is because it vastly simplifies the code required for the graphics drivers; they no longer have to support all those old modes that hardly anyone uses anymore. Even modern Linux systems do not use VGA screen modes anymore on modern graphics boards, opting instead to set the graphics mode once at boot time and be done with it. Apr 4, 2012 at 23:37
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    NTVDM is a big user of VGA full-screen console though. For example, it is used when a DOS program switches to a VGA graphics mode.
    – Yuhong Bao
    May 27, 2012 at 4:17
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just go to device manager

display adapter

select your graphic card right click it

and disable it

that's all

all dos program work in full screen frm now on when you want

you can enable it again when ever needed.... :-)

Or you can use WMIC command, after using it you will see maximize button is enable in window but I never worked in that environment.

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    You can check it easily I have worked like that no graphic card enable.:)
    – avirk
    Jul 25, 2011 at 13:22
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    This is the solution I was eluding to. Disabling the driver will turn off DWM.
    – surfasb
    Jul 25, 2011 at 16:02
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    Yes @surfasb i agree with you but only this can enable full screen in windows 7. And there is not a lengthy procedure to do this just 3-4 steps.
    – avirk
    Jul 25, 2011 at 16:37
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    I just have my command prompt setup with 300 lines and a 800 line buffer. . .
    – surfasb
    Jul 25, 2011 at 21:37
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    @avirk, disabling hardware acceleration does allow it to work, and when you disable the graphics-adapter, it has the same effect (though simply disabling acceleration is easier and safer). Either way, it is not the solution since that is no different that running in safe-mode. I’m trying to find out what kind of card or driver is required to run it in normal mode, hardware acceleration and all.
    – Synetech
    Jul 26, 2011 at 0:32
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The new DWM isn't compatible with full screen 16 bit programs.

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    Most command-line programs are 32/64-bit, however. And DWM doesn't care either way -- the console windows are displayed by CSRSS. Jul 25, 2011 at 8:23
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    The problem is that the new driver model does not support VGA text mode programs. Whether those are 8, 16, 32, or even 64 bit doesn't matter. I don't know if any of the old VGA modes in fullscreen are supported, actually. See support.microsoft.com/kb/926657 Jul 25, 2011 at 8:25
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    @grawity. Actually, DWM does care. I'm pretty sure the reason is because DWM works at a higher level than console programs. Thus this would take some massive design changes. blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2007/12/31/6909007.aspx
    – surfasb
    Jul 25, 2011 at 16:07
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    So lets see, support a dying setup. Make developers write drivers that support two driver models. Even if the drivers were rock solid, the application has a strong possibility of crashing and taking down the whole system. Everyone Blame M$. Plus, UAC isn't supported. Admin privileges for all. Sounds like a winning strategy there.
    – surfasb
    Jul 26, 2011 at 2:22
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    This is the kind of crap I have to hear at work. "Why can't we support Super Gadget 2000? All the other companies have it." or "Why can't we support Super OLD Gadget -200? All the other companies have it." If you want to support it for everyone on your wide open schedule , I'll even buy you a cake. It's not that I hate XP. I just hate people who bring up problems, but present no solutions. . . Heck, it's just like everyone yelling "FIX THE DEFICIT!" How? "Ummmm, you pay for it . . ."
    – surfasb
    Jul 26, 2011 at 7:37

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