diff --git a/frontend/src/App.tsx b/frontend/src/App.tsx
index 776a5768..fd4c6aed 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/App.tsx
@@ -146,8 +146,8 @@ import {
   isStartupWindowRestorePending,
   markStartupWindowRestorePending,
   resolveDefaultStartupWindowBounds,
+  resolveStartupWindowRestoreMode,
   resolveWorkAreaFillWindowBounds,
-  shouldPreferWindowsStartupMaximise,
 } from './utils/windowStartupLayout';
 import {
   SHORTCUT_ACTION_META,
@@ -749,8 +749,9 @@ function App() {
   const setUiScale = useStore(state => state.setUiScale);
   const fontSize = useStore(state => state.fontSize);
   const setFontSize = useStore(state => state.setFontSize);
-  const startupFullscreen = useStore(state => state.startupFullscreen);
-  const setStartupFullscreen = useStore(state => state.setStartupFullscreen);
+  // Keep reading the legacy persisted field; its product meaning is now startup maximise.
+  const startupMaximised = useStore(state => state.startupFullscreen);
+  const setStartupMaximised = useStore(state => state.setStartupFullscreen);
   const autoCheckForUpdates = useStore(state => state.autoCheckForUpdates);
   const setAutoCheckForUpdates = useStore(state => state.setAutoCheckForUpdates);
   const autoCheckForUpdatesIntervalMinutes = useStore(state => state.autoCheckForUpdatesIntervalMinutes);
@@ -1346,16 +1347,9 @@ function App() {
       const maxApplyAttempts = 8;
       const applyRetryDelayMs = 350;
       const settleDelayMs = 180;
-      const useMaximiseForStartup = isWindowsPlatform();
+      const startupRestoreGraceMs = 6000;
 
       const checkStartupPreferenceApplied = async (): Promise<boolean> => {
-          try {
-              if (await WindowIsFullscreen()) {
-                  return true;
-              }
-          } catch (_) {
-              // ignore
-          }
           try {
               if (await WindowIsMaximised()) {
                   return true;
@@ -1366,13 +1360,9 @@ function App() {
           return false;
       };
 
-      const markAppliedMaximisedOrFullscreen = (mode: 'maximised' | 'fullscreen') => {
-          // 启动偏好成功后立刻固化 windowState，避免宽限期内被写成 normal 导致下次半窗
-          if (mode === 'maximised' || useMaximiseForStartup) {
-              useStore.getState().setWindowState('maximized');
-          } else {
-              useStore.getState().setWindowState('fullscreen');
-          }
+      const markStartupMaximised = () => {
+          // 启动偏好成功后立刻同步实际窗口态，避免 settle 宽限期留下瞬态 normal。
+          useStore.getState().setWindowState('maximized');
           clearStartupWindowRestorePending();
       };
 
@@ -1386,7 +1376,7 @@ function App() {
               WindowSetSize(nextBounds.width, nextBounds.height);
               WindowSetPosition(nextBounds.x, nextBounds.y);
               useStore.getState().setWindowBounds(nextBounds);
-              // 仍记为 maximized：视觉上已铺满，下次继续走最大化恢复
+              // 兜底结果视觉上等同最大化，保持标题栏状态与实际窗口一致。
               useStore.getState().setWindowState('maximized');
               void emitWindowDiagnostic('adjust:startup-work-area-fill-fallback', {
                   to: nextBounds,
@@ -1396,11 +1386,9 @@ function App() {
           }
       };
 
-      // mode:
-      // - maximised: 始终最大化（Windows 启动偏好 / 记忆的 maximized / Windows 上的 fullscreen 记忆）
-      // - fullscreen: 非 Windows 优先真全屏，失败再最大化
-      // 第 1 次立即执行（delay=0），避免 Windows 先闪 1024×768 半窗再最大化
-      const applyStartupWindowChrome = (attempt: number, mode: 'maximised' | 'fullscreen') => {
+      // Windows、Linux 与 macOS 的启动偏好都使用普通窗口最大化，不进入系统全屏。
+      // 第 1 次立即执行（delay=0），缩短普通窗口首帧到目标窗口态的过渡。
+      const applyStartupWindowChrome = (attempt: number) => {
           if (startupWindowTimer !== null) {
               window.clearTimeout(startupWindowTimer);
           }
@@ -1412,37 +1400,25 @@ function App() {
               void Promise.resolve()
                   .then(async () => {
                       if (await checkStartupPreferenceApplied()) {
-                          markAppliedMaximisedOrFullscreen(mode);
+                          markStartupMaximised();
                           return;
                       }
                       try {
-                          if (mode === 'maximised') {
-                              await WindowMaximise();
-                              await new Promise((resolve) => window.setTimeout(resolve, settleDelayMs));
-                          } else {
-                              await WindowFullscreen();
-                              await new Promise((resolve) => window.setTimeout(resolve, settleDelayMs));
-                              if (await checkStartupPreferenceApplied()) {
-                                  markAppliedMaximisedOrFullscreen(mode);
-                                  return;
-                              }
-                              await WindowMaximise();
-                              await new Promise((resolve) => window.setTimeout(resolve, settleDelayMs));
-                          }
+                          await WindowMaximise();
+                          await new Promise((resolve) => window.setTimeout(resolve, settleDelayMs));
                       } catch (e) {
                           console.warn("Wails Window APIs unavailable", e);
                       }
 
                       if (await checkStartupPreferenceApplied()) {
-                          markAppliedMaximisedOrFullscreen(mode);
+                          markStartupMaximised();
                           return;
                       }
                       if (attempt < maxApplyAttempts) {
-                          applyStartupWindowChrome(attempt + 1, mode);
+                          applyStartupWindowChrome(attempt + 1);
                       } else {
                           // 最终仍失败：Windows 铺满工作区兜底，再结束宽限
                           void emitWindowDiagnostic('warn:startup-maximise-failed', {
-                              mode,
                               attempts: attempt,
                           });
                           applyWindowsWorkAreaFillFallback();
@@ -1458,16 +1434,17 @@ function App() {
           x: number;
           y: number;
       }) => {
-          // Windows 可能以原生 Maximised 首帧启动，恢复普通窗前先取消最大化
-          if (isWindowsPlatform()) {
-              try {
-                  if (await WindowIsMaximised()) {
-                      WindowUnmaximise();
-                      await new Promise((resolve) => window.setTimeout(resolve, settleDelayMs));
-                  }
-              } catch (e) {
-                  console.warn('Failed to unmaximise before restoring normal bounds', e);
+          try {
+              if (await WindowIsFullscreen()) {
+                  WindowUnfullscreen();
+                  await new Promise((resolve) => window.setTimeout(resolve, settleDelayMs));
               }
+              if (await WindowIsMaximised()) {
+                  WindowUnmaximise();
+                  await new Promise((resolve) => window.setTimeout(resolve, settleDelayMs));
+              }
+          } catch (e) {
+              console.warn('Failed to restore normal window chrome', e);
           }
           const state = useStore.getState();
           const nextBounds = resolveVisibleStartupWindowBounds(bounds, readCurrentVisibleViewport());
@@ -1481,10 +1458,10 @@ function App() {
                   from: bounds,
                   to: nextBounds,
               });
-              state.setWindowBounds(nextBounds);
           }
           WindowSetSize(nextBounds.width, nextBounds.height);
           WindowSetPosition(nextBounds.x, nextBounds.y);
+          state.setWindowBounds(nextBounds);
           state.setWindowState('normal');
       };
 
@@ -1500,62 +1477,38 @@ function App() {
           restoredOnce = true;
 
           const state = useStore.getState();
-          // 1) 「启动时最大化」开关优先（Windows 按 Maximize 处理）
-          if (state.startupFullscreen) {
-              markStartupWindowRestorePending(3200);
-              applyStartupWindowChrome(1, useMaximiseForStartup ? 'maximised' : 'fullscreen');
+          const restoreMode = resolveStartupWindowRestoreMode(
+              state.startupFullscreen,
+          );
+          if (restoreMode !== 'normal') {
+              markStartupWindowRestorePending(startupRestoreGraceMs);
+              applyStartupWindowChrome(1);
               return;
           }
-          // 2) 记忆用户上次窗口态：最大化/全屏
-          const savedState = state.windowState;
-          if (savedState === 'fullscreen') {
-              // Windows 上记忆的 fullscreen 也走最大化，避免真全屏后标题栏交互困难
-              markStartupWindowRestorePending(3200);
-              applyStartupWindowChrome(1, useMaximiseForStartup ? 'maximised' : 'fullscreen');
-              return;
-          }
-          if (savedState === 'maximized') {
-              // 必须重试：Windows 冷启动 HWND/WebView2 未就绪时单次 Maximise 经常失败，
-              // 会残留 main.go 默认 1024x768 贴左上角；任务栏恢复后才“突然正常”。
-              markStartupWindowRestorePending(3200);
-              applyStartupWindowChrome(1, 'maximised');
-              return;
-          }
-          // 3) 普通窗口：恢复用户调整过的尺寸和位置
-          // Windows：无记忆 / 历史半窗 / 84% 默认小窗 → 直接最大化，而不是再落到浮动半窗
+
+          // The disabled preference is strict: restore a normal window even if
+          // an older build persisted an automatic maximised/fullscreen state.
+          markStartupWindowRestorePending(startupRestoreGraceMs);
           const bounds = state.windowBounds;
           const viewport = readCurrentVisibleViewport();
-          if (isWindowsPlatform() && shouldPreferWindowsStartupMaximise(bounds, viewport)) {
-              markStartupWindowRestorePending(3200);
-              applyStartupWindowChrome(1, 'maximised');
-              void emitWindowDiagnostic('adjust:startup-prefer-maximise', {
-                  from: bounds,
-                  reason: !bounds ? 'missing-bounds' : 'undersized-bounds',
-              });
-              return;
-          }
-          if (!bounds || bounds.width < 400 || bounds.height < 300) {
-              // 非 Windows：无记忆时保持系统默认；Windows 已在上方走最大化
-              if (isWindowsPlatform()) {
-                  try {
+          try {
+              if (!bounds || bounds.width < 400 || bounds.height < 300) {
+                  if (isWindowsPlatform()) {
                       const nextBounds = resolveDefaultStartupWindowBounds(viewport);
-                      WindowSetSize(nextBounds.width, nextBounds.height);
-                      WindowSetPosition(nextBounds.x, nextBounds.y);
-                      state.setWindowBounds(nextBounds);
-                      state.setWindowState('normal');
+                      await restoreNormalWindowBounds(nextBounds);
                       void emitWindowDiagnostic('adjust:startup-default-window-bounds', {
                           to: nextBounds,
                       });
-                  } catch (e) {
-                      console.warn('Failed to apply default Windows startup bounds', e);
+                  } else {
+                      state.setWindowState('normal');
                   }
+                  return;
               }
-              return;
-          }
-          try {
               await restoreNormalWindowBounds(bounds);
           } catch (e) {
               console.warn('Failed to restore window bounds', e);
+          } finally {
+              clearStartupWindowRestorePending();
           }
       };
 
@@ -1566,7 +1519,7 @@ function App() {
           if (cancelled) {
               return;
           }
-          // hydration 完成后再恢复，确保读到 startupFullscreen / windowState / windowBounds
+          // hydration 完成后再恢复，确保读到启动最大化偏好与 windowBounds。
           restoredOnce = false;
           void restoreWindowState();
       });
@@ -1589,7 +1542,7 @@ function App() {
       let lastSaved = '';
 
       const saveWindowState = async () => {
-          if (cancelled || !hydrated) {
+          if (cancelled || !hydrated || isStartupWindowRestorePending()) {
               return;
           }
           try {
@@ -1598,13 +1551,9 @@ function App() {
                   safeWindowRuntimeCall(() => WindowIsMaximised(), false),
               ]);
 
-              // 启动最大化/全屏尚未 settle 时，禁止把状态写回 normal，
-              // 否则下次冷启动会落到默认 1024x768 左上角（Windows 首次打开“只显示一半”）。
+              // 启动窗口恢复尚未 settle 时，不保存中间态和中间尺寸。
               if (isStartupWindowRestorePending()) {
-                  if (!isFs && !isMax) {
-                      return;
-                  }
-                  clearStartupWindowRestorePending();
+                  return;
               }
 
               // 保存窗口状态
@@ -1625,7 +1574,7 @@ function App() {
                   safeWindowRuntimeCall(() => WindowGetSize(), null),
                   safeWindowRuntimeCall(() => WindowGetPosition(), null),
               ]);
-              if (!size || !pos) return;
+              if (!size || !pos || isStartupWindowRestorePending()) return;
               const w = Math.trunc(Number(size.w || 0));
               const h = Math.trunc(Number(size.h || 0));
               const x = Math.trunc(Number(pos.x || 0));
@@ -1661,7 +1610,7 @@ function App() {
           if (cancelled || !hydrated) {
               return;
           }
-          // 启动最大化 settle 期间不要抢跑普通 bounds 校正
+          // 启动窗口恢复期间不要抢跑普通 bounds 校正。
           if (isStartupWindowRestorePending()) {
               return;
           }
@@ -2336,8 +2285,6 @@ function App() {
   }, [connections, openSecurityUpdateSettings, runSecurityUpdateRound, securityUpdateStatus, t]);
   const isMacRuntime = runtimePlatform === 'darwin'
       || (runtimePlatform === '' && /mac/i.test(detectNavigatorPlatform()));
-  const isWindowsRuntime = runtimePlatform === 'windows'
-      || (runtimePlatform === '' && isWindowsPlatform());
   const useNativeMacWindowControls = isMacRuntime && appearance.useNativeMacWindowControls === true;
   const activeShortcutPlatform = getShortcutPlatform(isMacRuntime);
   const macWindowDiagnosticsEnabled = shouldEnableMacWindowDiagnostics(
@@ -6422,14 +6369,10 @@ function App() {
                               {renderThemeSettingsSection(
                                   t('app.theme.startup_window.title'),
                                   renderThemeSettingsRow({
-                                      label: isWindowsRuntime
-                                          ? t('app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen_windows')
-                                          : t('app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen'),
-                                      hint: isWindowsRuntime
-                                          ? t('app.theme.startup_window.windows_hint')
-                                          : t('app.theme.startup_window.hint'),
+                                      label: t('app.theme.startup_window.maximised'),
+                                      hint: t('app.theme.startup_window.hint'),
                                       control: (
-                                          <Switch checked={startupFullscreen} onChange={(checked) => setStartupFullscreen(checked)} />
+                                          <Switch checked={startupMaximised} onChange={(checked) => setStartupMaximised(checked)} />
                                       ),
                                   }),
                               )}
@@ -7228,11 +7171,11 @@ function App() {
                               <div style={utilityPanelStyle}>
                                   <div style={{ marginBottom: 8, fontWeight: 500 }}>{t('app.theme.startup_window.title')}</div>
                                   <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'space-between', gap: 12 }}>
-                                      <span>{isWindowsRuntime ? t('app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen_windows') : t('app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen')}</span>
-                                      <Switch checked={startupFullscreen} onChange={(checked) => setStartupFullscreen(checked)} />
+                                      <span>{t('app.theme.startup_window.maximised')}</span>
+                                      <Switch checked={startupMaximised} onChange={(checked) => setStartupMaximised(checked)} />
                                   </div>
                                   <div style={{ fontSize: 12, color: darkMode ? 'rgba(255,255,255,0.5)' : 'rgba(16,24,40,0.55)', marginTop: 4 }}>
-                                      {isWindowsRuntime ? t('app.theme.startup_window.windows_hint') : t('app.theme.startup_window.hint')}
+                                      {t('app.theme.startup_window.hint')}
                                   </div>
                               </div>
                               <div style={{ display: 'flex', justifyContent: 'flex-end', alignItems: 'center', gap: 12, paddingTop: 8, paddingBottom: 12 }}>
diff --git a/frontend/src/store.test.ts b/frontend/src/store.test.ts
index ff4fd931..a7ad2505 100644
--- a/frontend/src/store.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/store.test.ts
@@ -3229,7 +3229,7 @@ describe('store appearance persistence', () => {
     expect(hydrated.useStore.getState().autoCheckForUpdatesIntervalMinutes).toBe(30);
   });
 
-  it('persists window state and bounds immediately so Windows reopen keeps maximise or size memory', async () => {
+  it('persists window state and bounds immediately across store reloads', async () => {
     const { useStore } = await importStore();
 
     useStore.getState().setWindowState('maximized');
diff --git a/frontend/src/store.ts b/frontend/src/store.ts
index d9ba007e..ec104fab 100644
--- a/frontend/src/store.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/store.ts
@@ -1771,6 +1771,7 @@ interface AppState {
   appearance: AppearanceSettings;
   uiScale: number;
   fontSize: number;
+  /** Legacy persisted name; true means maximise the startup window on every desktop platform. */
   startupFullscreen: boolean;
   /** 启动后与定时静默检查更新；默认开启 */
   autoCheckForUpdates: boolean;
@@ -5338,7 +5339,7 @@ export const useStore = create<AppState>()(
       setWindowState: (state) => {
         const nextState = sanitizeWindowState(state);
         set({ windowState: nextState });
-        // 最大化/普通态也要同步写盘，否则下次冷启动会落到默认 1024×768「半窗」
+        // 与窗口尺寸一致即时落盘，避免退出阶段丢失最后一次观测状态。
         writePersistedStatePatch({ windowState: nextState });
       },
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/windowStartupLayout.test.ts b/frontend/src/utils/windowStartupLayout.test.ts
index fd23ba1e..0afccf2a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/utils/windowStartupLayout.test.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/windowStartupLayout.test.ts
@@ -5,9 +5,8 @@ import {
   isStartupWindowRestorePending,
   markStartupWindowRestorePending,
   resolveDefaultStartupWindowBounds,
+  resolveStartupWindowRestoreMode,
   resolveWorkAreaFillWindowBounds,
-  shouldPreferWindowsStartupMaximise,
-  WINDOWS_STARTUP_MAXIMISE_AREA_RATIO,
 } from './windowStartupLayout';
 
 describe('windowStartupLayout', () => {
@@ -99,34 +98,11 @@ describe('windowStartupLayout', () => {
     });
   });
 
-  it('prefers maximise for missing, legacy 1024×768, and undersized default windows', () => {
-    const viewport = {
-      availWidth: 1920,
-      availHeight: 1080,
-      availLeft: 0,
-      availTop: 0,
-    };
+  it('keeps startup normal when the explicit fullscreen preference is disabled', () => {
+    expect(resolveStartupWindowRestoreMode(false)).toBe('normal');
+  });
 
-    expect(shouldPreferWindowsStartupMaximise(null, viewport)).toBe(true);
-    expect(shouldPreferWindowsStartupMaximise({
-      width: 1024,
-      height: 768,
-      x: 0,
-      y: 0,
-    }, viewport)).toBe(true);
-
-    // 84%×84% default area ≈ 0.706 < 0.78 → 最大化
-    const defaultBounds = resolveDefaultStartupWindowBounds(viewport);
-    expect((defaultBounds.width * defaultBounds.height) / (1920 * 1080))
-      .toBeLessThan(WINDOWS_STARTUP_MAXIMISE_AREA_RATIO);
-    expect(shouldPreferWindowsStartupMaximise(defaultBounds, viewport)).toBe(true);
-
-    // 用户刻意拉大的普通窗应保留
-    expect(shouldPreferWindowsStartupMaximise({
-      width: 1760,
-      height: 980,
-      x: 80,
-      y: 40,
-    }, viewport)).toBe(false);
+  it('maximises the startup window on every desktop platform when enabled', () => {
+    expect(resolveStartupWindowRestoreMode(true)).toBe('maximised');
   });
 });
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/windowStartupLayout.ts b/frontend/src/utils/windowStartupLayout.ts
index fd4e6bca..4d37ee9c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/utils/windowStartupLayout.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/windowStartupLayout.ts
@@ -16,20 +16,17 @@ export type StartupWindowBounds = {
 const MIN_STARTUP_WIDTH = 900;
 const MIN_STARTUP_HEIGHT = 600;
 
-/**
- * 工作区覆盖率低于该阈值时，视为「半窗 / 默认小窗」记忆，Windows 启动改走最大化。
- * 84%×84% 居中默认窗的面积比约为 0.706，会被捕获；用户刻意拉大的普通窗通常更高。
- */
-export const WINDOWS_STARTUP_MAXIMISE_AREA_RATIO = 0.78;
-
-/** Align with historical main.go Width/Height defaults that look half-open on modern screens. */
-const LEGACY_DEFAULT_WIDTH = 1024;
-const LEGACY_DEFAULT_HEIGHT = 768;
+export type StartupWindowRestoreMode = 'normal' | 'maximised';
 
 /**
- * Resolve a usable first-launch window when no persisted bounds exist.
- * Windows defaults to top-left 1024x768 which looks "half open" on modern screens.
+ * The explicit startup preference is authoritative. A disabled preference must
+ * not be overridden by a previously maximised window or a size heuristic.
  */
+export const resolveStartupWindowRestoreMode = (
+  startupMaximised: boolean,
+): StartupWindowRestoreMode => startupMaximised ? 'maximised' : 'normal';
+
+/** Resolve a centered normal window when no persisted bounds exist. */
 export const resolveDefaultStartupWindowBounds = (
   viewport: StartupVisibleViewport,
 ): StartupWindowBounds => {
@@ -62,7 +59,7 @@ export const resolveDefaultStartupWindowBounds = (
 
 /**
  * Fill the OS work area (taskbar excluded). Used when Maximise API fails on Windows
- * so the shell still looks "full" instead of lingering at 1024×768 / 84% floating.
+ * so the shell still looks full instead of lingering in a normal window.
  */
 export const resolveWorkAreaFillWindowBounds = (
   viewport: StartupVisibleViewport,
@@ -84,41 +81,9 @@ export const resolveWorkAreaFillWindowBounds = (
   };
 };
 
-/**
- * Decide whether Windows cold-start should prefer maximise over restoring bounds.
- * - 无记忆 / 非法尺寸 → 最大化
- * - 仍像旧默认 1024×768 → 最大化
- * - 覆盖工作区面积过低（含历史 84% 居中默认窗）→ 最大化
- */
-export const shouldPreferWindowsStartupMaximise = (
-  bounds: StartupWindowBounds | null | undefined,
-  viewport: StartupVisibleViewport,
-): boolean => {
-  if (!bounds) {
-    return true;
-  }
-  const width = Math.trunc(Number(bounds.width) || 0);
-  const height = Math.trunc(Number(bounds.height) || 0);
-  if (width < 400 || height < 300) {
-    return true;
-  }
-  if (width <= LEGACY_DEFAULT_WIDTH && height <= LEGACY_DEFAULT_HEIGHT) {
-    return true;
-  }
-
-  const availWidth = Math.max(0, Math.trunc(Number(viewport.availWidth) || 0));
-  const availHeight = Math.max(0, Math.trunc(Number(viewport.availHeight) || 0));
-  if (availWidth <= 0 || availHeight <= 0) {
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  const areaRatio = (width * height) / (availWidth * availHeight);
-  return areaRatio < WINDOWS_STARTUP_MAXIMISE_AREA_RATIO;
-};
-
 let startupWindowRestorePendingUntil = 0;
 
-/** Mark a short grace window while startup maximise/fullscreen is still settling. */
+/** Mark a short grace window while startup window restoration is still settling. */
 export const markStartupWindowRestorePending = (durationMs = 2800): void => {
   const duration = Math.max(0, Math.trunc(Number(durationMs) || 0));
   startupWindowRestorePendingUntil = Date.now() + duration;
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index bd51a561..2cd25583 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -140,14 +140,6 @@ func main() {
 		}, true)
 	}
 
-	// Windows 冷启动：原生先最大化，避免 main 默认小窗先闪一帧；
-	// 前端 hydration 后再按用户记忆（最大化 / 普通尺寸）精细恢复。
-	// 其它平台仍用 Normal，由前端恢复逻辑接管。
-	windowStartState := options.Normal
-	if strings.EqualFold(strings.TrimSpace(runtime.GOOS), "windows") {
-		windowStartState = options.Maximised
-	}
-
 	// Create application with options
 	err := wails.Run(&options.App{
 		Title:            "GoNavi",
@@ -155,7 +147,7 @@ func main() {
 		Height:           900,
 		MinWidth:         900,
 		MinHeight:        600,
-		WindowStartState: windowStartState,
+		WindowStartState: resolveInitialWindowStartState(runtime.GOOS),
 		Frameless:        true,
 		AssetServer: &assetserver.Options{
 			Assets: assets,
@@ -281,6 +273,12 @@ func isLowMemoryMode() bool {
 	}
 }
 
+// The startup preference lives in frontend storage, which is unavailable until
+// hydration. Native startup must stay normal so it cannot override a disabled preference.
+func resolveInitialWindowStartState(string) options.WindowStartState {
+	return options.Normal
+}
+
 func resolveWindowVisualOptions(goos string, lowMemoryMode bool) (*options.RGBA, *windows.Options) {
 	// A visible Acrylic surface keeps DWM composing after GoNavi loses focus.
 	// Windows therefore uses an opaque surface by default; macOS keeps its separate native effect path.
diff --git a/main_test.go b/main_test.go
index b9be1538..d0b3fd77 100644
--- a/main_test.go
+++ b/main_test.go
@@ -78,6 +78,16 @@ func TestIsLowMemoryMode(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestResolveInitialWindowStartStateDoesNotOverrideFrontendPreference(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, goos := range []string{"windows", "darwin", "linux"} {
+		t.Run(goos, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if got := resolveInitialWindowStartState(goos); got != options.Normal {
+				t.Fatalf("resolveInitialWindowStartState(%q) = %v, want Normal", goos, got)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestResolveWindowVisualOptions(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name                string
diff --git a/shared/i18n/de-DE.json b/shared/i18n/de-DE.json
index 84da97fb..1097de0a 100644
--- a/shared/i18n/de-DE.json
+++ b/shared/i18n/de-DE.json
@@ -3032,11 +3032,9 @@
   "app.theme.query_template.hint": "Leeren Sie den Text, damit neue Abfrage-Tabs leer starten. Mit Standard wiederherstellen kehren Sie zu SELECT * FROM zurück.",
   "app.theme.query_template.reset_default": "Standard wiederherstellen",
   "app.theme.query_template.title": "Standard-SQL für neue Abfragen",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen": "Beim Start im Vollbild öffnen",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen_windows": "Beim Start im Vollbild öffnen (Windows behandelt dies als Maximieren)",
   "app.theme.startup_window.hint": "* Wird beim nächsten Start wirksam",
+  "app.theme.startup_window.maximised": "Beim Start maximieren",
   "app.theme.startup_window.title": "Startfenster",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.windows_hint": "* Unter Windows wird diese Option als \"beim Start maximieren\" behandelt und beim nächsten Start wirksam",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_down": "Nach unten",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_up": "Nach oben",
   "app.theme.tab_display.badge.current": "Aktuell",
diff --git a/shared/i18n/en-US.json b/shared/i18n/en-US.json
index 4d623d75..6d4220bc 100644
--- a/shared/i18n/en-US.json
+++ b/shared/i18n/en-US.json
@@ -3032,11 +3032,9 @@
   "app.theme.query_template.hint": "Clear the text to keep new query tabs blank. Use Restore default to go back to SELECT * FROM .",
   "app.theme.query_template.reset_default": "Restore default",
   "app.theme.query_template.title": "New Query Default SQL",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen": "Fullscreen on startup",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen_windows": "Fullscreen on startup (Windows treats this as maximize)",
   "app.theme.startup_window.hint": "* Takes effect on next startup",
+  "app.theme.startup_window.maximised": "Maximize on startup",
   "app.theme.startup_window.title": "Startup Window",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.windows_hint": "* On Windows this option is treated as \"maximize on startup\" and takes effect on next startup",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_down": "Move down",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_up": "Move up",
   "app.theme.tab_display.badge.current": "Current",
diff --git a/shared/i18n/ja-JP.json b/shared/i18n/ja-JP.json
index 1f16080e..1881c7a9 100644
--- a/shared/i18n/ja-JP.json
+++ b/shared/i18n/ja-JP.json
@@ -3032,11 +3032,9 @@
   "app.theme.query_template.hint": "空にすると新しいクエリタブは空白のまま開きます。既定に戻すと SELECT * FROM に戻ります。",
   "app.theme.query_template.reset_default": "既定に戻す",
   "app.theme.query_template.title": "新規クエリの既定 SQL",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen": "起動時にフルスクリーン",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen_windows": "起動時にフルスクリーン (Windows では最大化として扱います)",
   "app.theme.startup_window.hint": "* 変更は次回起動時に有効になります",
+  "app.theme.startup_window.maximised": "起動時に最大化",
   "app.theme.startup_window.title": "起動ウィンドウ",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.windows_hint": "* Windows ではこのオプションは「起動時に最大化」として扱われ、次回起動時に有効になります",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_down": "下へ",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_up": "上へ",
   "app.theme.tab_display.badge.current": "現在",
diff --git a/shared/i18n/ru-RU.json b/shared/i18n/ru-RU.json
index 484a4899..0c1ace9f 100644
--- a/shared/i18n/ru-RU.json
+++ b/shared/i18n/ru-RU.json
@@ -3032,11 +3032,9 @@
   "app.theme.query_template.hint": "Очистите текст, чтобы новые вкладки запроса открывались пустыми. Кнопка восстановления вернет SELECT * FROM .",
   "app.theme.query_template.reset_default": "Восстановить по умолчанию",
   "app.theme.query_template.title": "SQL по умолчанию для нового запроса",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen": "Полный экран при запуске",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen_windows": "Полный экран при запуске (Windows обрабатывает это как максимизацию)",
   "app.theme.startup_window.hint": "* Вступает в силу при следующем запуске",
+  "app.theme.startup_window.maximised": "Разворачивать окно при запуске",
   "app.theme.startup_window.title": "Окно запуска",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.windows_hint": "* В Windows этот параметр обрабатывается как \"максимизировать при запуске\" и вступает в силу при следующем запуске",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_down": "Вниз",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_up": "Вверх",
   "app.theme.tab_display.badge.current": "Текущий",
diff --git a/shared/i18n/zh-CN.json b/shared/i18n/zh-CN.json
index 0e867061..98cb64b6 100644
--- a/shared/i18n/zh-CN.json
+++ b/shared/i18n/zh-CN.json
@@ -3032,11 +3032,9 @@
   "app.theme.query_template.hint": "清空后新建查询将保持空白；点击“恢复默认”可回到 SELECT * FROM 。",
   "app.theme.query_template.reset_default": "恢复默认",
   "app.theme.query_template.title": "新建查询默认 SQL",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen": "启动时全屏",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen_windows": "启动时全屏（Windows 按最大化处理）",
   "app.theme.startup_window.hint": "* 修改后下次启动生效",
+  "app.theme.startup_window.maximised": "启动时最大化",
   "app.theme.startup_window.title": "启动窗口",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.windows_hint": "* Windows 下该选项按“启动时最大化”处理，修改后下次启动生效",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_down": "下移",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_up": "上移",
   "app.theme.tab_display.badge.current": "当前",
diff --git a/shared/i18n/zh-TW.json b/shared/i18n/zh-TW.json
index ac2d63b5..f656d103 100644
--- a/shared/i18n/zh-TW.json
+++ b/shared/i18n/zh-TW.json
@@ -3032,11 +3032,9 @@
   "app.theme.query_template.hint": "清空後新建查詢會保持空白；點擊「恢復預設」可回到 SELECT * FROM 。",
   "app.theme.query_template.reset_default": "恢復預設",
   "app.theme.query_template.title": "新建查詢預設 SQL",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen": "启动时全屏",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.fullscreen_windows": "启动时全屏（Windows 按最大化处理）",
   "app.theme.startup_window.hint": "* 修改后下次启动生效",
+  "app.theme.startup_window.maximised": "啟動時最大化",
   "app.theme.startup_window.title": "启动視窗",
-  "app.theme.startup_window.windows_hint": "* Windows 下该选项按“启动时最大化”处理，修改后下次启动生效",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_down": "下移",
   "app.theme.tab_display.action.move_up": "上移",
   "app.theme.tab_display.badge.current": "目前",