Description
Since WordPress 5.4, the block editor opens in fullscreen mode: the admin menu disappears while you write, and getting back to the rest of the dashboard takes an extra click.
This plugin turns fullscreen mode off, so the block editor opens inside the normal WordPress admin, with the menu on the left, just like every other screen.
Features
- Opens the block editor with the admin menu in view, every time.
- Works for every user, and for posts, pages and any post type that uses the block editor.
- No settings. Activate it and it works.
- Tiny: one short script in the editor, and nothing at all on your site’s front end.
- Tested with the latest version of WordPress.
How it works
When the block editor opens, the plugin checks the editor’s “Fullscreen mode” preference and switches it off. To use fullscreen mode again, deactivate the plugin.
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Screenshots


Installation
- In your admin, go to Plugins Add New Plugin and search for “Disable Block Editor FullScreen mode”.
- Click Install Now, then Activate.
- Open any post or page. The editor now shows the admin menu.
FAQ
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Does it work on older versions of WordPress?
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It needs WordPress 5.4 or later, the version that made fullscreen the default.
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Can people still use fullscreen mode?
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While the plugin is active, the editor turns fullscreen mode off each time it opens. Deactivate the plugin to use fullscreen mode again.
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Does it change anything on my site?
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No. It only runs in the block editor, in your admin.
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Is there a settings page?
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No. There is nothing to set up.
Reviews
Contributors & Developers
“Disable Block Editor FullScreen mode” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors“Disable Block Editor FullScreen mode” has been translated into 4 locales. Thank you to the translators for their contributions.
Translate “Disable Block Editor FullScreen mode” into your language.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Changelog
4.3.2 – 25-09-2026
- The editor script no longer needs jQuery, so it keeps working if WordPress stops loading jQuery Migrate.
- Messages now use the plugin’s own text domain, so they can be translated.
- New icon and banners, and a clearer description.
4.3.1 – 24-09-2026
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
4.3.0 – 07-07-2026
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
4.2.0 – 24-02-2026
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
4.1.1 – 31-01-2026
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
4.0.0 – 25-11-2025
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
3.2.4 – 27-08-2025
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version 6.8.
3.2.3 – 11-08-2025
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version 6.8.
3.2.2 – 02-06-2025
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version 6.8.
3.2.1 – 18-04-2025
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version 6.8.
3.2.0 – 02-04-2025
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
3.1.0 – 16-02-2025
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
3.0.0 – 28-12-2024
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.9.2 – 09-11-2024
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.9.1 – 30-10-2024
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.9.0 – 25-09-2024
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.8.3 – 13-08-2024
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.8.2 – 02-07-2024
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.8.1 – 24-05-2024
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.8.0 – 13-05-2024
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version & UltimaKit For WP support added.
2.7.2 – 03-04-2024
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.7.1 – 06-02-2024
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.7.0 – 01-01-2024
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.6.2 – 09-11-2023
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.6.1 – 01-10-2023
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.6.0 – 01-10-2023
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.5.0 – 30-06-2023
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.4.4 – 29-05-2023
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.4.3 – 29-04-2023
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.4.2 – 23-03-2023
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.4.1
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.4.0
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.3.1
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.3.0
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.2.0
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.1.0
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.0.2
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.0.1
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
2.0.0
- Compatibility tested & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
1.9.0
- Improvements & Tested with the latest WordPress version.
1.8.0
- Improvements
1.7.0
- Improvements
1.6.0
- Improvements
1.5.0
- Improvements
1.4.0
- Improvements
1.3.0
- Improvements
1.2.0
- Improvements
1.1.0
- Improvements
1.0.0
- First Release
