Managing your windows efficiently is key to boosting productivity, especially when working with multiple applications on a single screen or across multiple monitors. In Windows 11, you can move windows without relying on the mouse, making it convenient for those who prefer keyboard shortcuts. This tutorial will guide you through various methods to move windows using only your keyboard.
Windows 11 provides a variety of keyboard shortcuts that can help you manage windows across your desktop. Whether you’re trying to retrieve a window stuck off-screen, snap it to a new position, or move it between monitors, there’s a shortcut for that. These methods are particularly useful in setups with multiple monitors or when navigating between numerous open windows.
By following the steps below, you’ll learn how to move windows in Windows 11 using keyboard shortcuts, allowing for smoother window navigation and enhancing your multitasking abilities.
How To Move Windows to the Front Using Hotkeys
This method allows users to cycle through open windows and switch to the desired one without using the mouse. It’s a simple way to move and manage windows when you have many applications running.
- Press and hold Alt + Tab
Hold down the “Alt” key and press the “Tab” key. A preview of all open windows will appear on the screen, showing the currently open applications.
- Select the Window and Move to the Front
While still holding the “Alt” key, continue pressing “Tab” to cycle through the open windows. Once the window you want is highlighted, release both keys, and the selected window will be brought to the front.
How To Move Windows Freely on the Desktop Using the Keyboard
The “Alt + Space” shortcut opens the window menu, giving you options like move, minimize, or maximize. This method is particularly useful for moving windows that are stuck off-screen.
- Press “Alt + Space” and select “Move”
Press “Alt + Space” to bring up the window menu. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Move” option and press “Enter”.
- Press the “M” Key as an Alternative
Alternatively, press the “M” key to select the “Move” option directly. Your cursor will change to a cross with arrows, indicating the window is ready to be moved.
- Move the Window with Arrow Keys
Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the window in the desired direction. If you need more precise movement, hold down the “Ctrl” key while using the arrow keys.
- Finalize with Enter
Once you have moved the window to the desired location, press “Enter” to finalize the window’s position.
How to Use the Windows + Insert Hotkey to Minimize Inactive Windows
The “Windows + Insert” shortcut is ideal for quickly minimizing all inactive windows, decluttering your screen and focusing on one active window. This is particularly useful when you need to clear distractions and work with just one application.
- Press “Windows + Insert”
Press the “Windows + Insert” keys together to minimize all inactive windows, leaving only the currently active window visible on the screen.
- Repeat to Restore Minimized Windows
To restore all minimized windows to their original positions, press “Windows + Insert” again.
How to Move and Snap Windows Using Hotkeys
This method allows users to snap windows to different areas of the screen using the keyboard. It’s particularly useful when working with multiple windows and monitors.
- Press “Windows + Left” or “Right” Arrow
Press and hold the “Windows” key and then the “Left Arrow” or “w” key to snap the active window to the left or right side of the screen. - Use Arrow Keys to Adjust
You can then press “Windows + Up Arrow” or “Windows + Down Arrow” to further adjust the window’s position to a corner. - Move Windows Across Monitors
If you have multiple monitors, keep pressing “Windows + Left” or “Windows + Right” to move the window from one monitor to the other.
How to Use Task View Shortcuts to Move Windows Across Virtual Desktops
Task View is a powerful feature in Windows 11 that gives users an overview of all active windows and virtual desktops. It allows you to move windows between virtual desktops using only the keyboard, which is particularly useful when managing different projects on separate desktops without relying on the mouse.
- Press “Windows + Tab” to Open Task View
Press the “Windows” key and then the “Tab” key. This opens Task View, showing all active windows and virtual desktops. - Select the Window
Use the arrow keys to select the window you want to move or switch to another desktop. - Press “Shift + F10” to Open the Context Menu
With the desired window selected, press “Shift + F10″ to open the context menu for the selected window. - Use Arrow Keys to Select “Move to”
Use the Arrow Keys to navigate through the context menu and select the “Move to” option. - Select the Target Virtual Desktop
Once “Move to” is selected, use the Arrow Keys to choose the virtual desktop you want to move the window to. Press “Enter” to confirm and move the window to the chosen desktop. - Switch Desktops (Optional)
After moving the window, if you wish to switch to the target desktop, press “Ctrl + Windows + Left Arrow” or “Ctrl + Windows + Right Arrow” to quickly navigate to the new desktop where the window was moved.
How to Move Windows Between Virtual Desktops Using Shortcuts Without Task View
This method allows you to switch between virtual desktops without opening Task View, making it faster to navigate between multiple desktops.
Press Ctrl + Alt + Left or Right Arrow
Hold down the “Ctrl + Alt” keys and press the “Left Arrow” or “Right Arrow” to move between virtual desktops.
How to to Move Windows Between Monitors without Task View
For users with multiple monitors, this shortcut allows you to move windows between different monitors without using the mouse.
Press “Windows + Shift + Left” or “Right” Arrow
Hold down “Windows + Shift” and press the “Left Arrow” or “Right Arrow” to move the active window from one monitor to the other.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Window Management in Windows 11 with Keyboard Shortcuts
How do I cycle between all open windows using the keyboard?
To cycle through open windows, hold Alt and press Tab. A thumbnail preview of each window will appear. Continue pressing Tab while holding Alt to navigate through the list. Release both keys when the desired window is highlighted to bring it to the forefront.
How can I move a window using the keyboard if it is off my computer screen?
Press Alt + Space to open the window’s system menu, then press M to select the Move option. Use the arrow keys to slide the window back into view. If the window is far off-screen, you might need to press the arrow keys several times. Press Enter to set the new position of the window.
How to resize a stuck window using only the keyboard?
Activate the window, then press Alt + Space and hit S to select the Size option. Use the arrow keys to adjust the borders of the window. Each arrow key adjusts the border corresponding to its direction. To finalize the resizing, press Enter.
What shortcut can I use to switch directly to a specific application window without cycling through others?
Use Alt + Esc to instantly switch to the next window in the stacking order. This shortcut moves the current window to the end of the order and brings the next one to the front, which can be useful for quick switches without visual previews.
Can I close a window using a keyboard shortcut?
To close the active window immediately, press Alt + F4. This shortcut is universally applicable to almost all applications in Windows, effectively terminating the active program unless the application prompts for unsaved changes.
Is there a way to move a window from one virtual desktop to another without opening Task View?
To move a window to a different virtual desktop directly, focus on the window, then press Ctrl + Windows + Shift + Left Arrow or Right Arrow. This combination moves the active window to the next or previous desktop, based on the arrow direction.
How do I create a new virtual desktop using a keyboard shortcut?
Press Ctrl + Windows + D to generate a new virtual desktop quickly. This feature helps organize multiple projects or tasks by allowing you to separate related windows into different virtual spaces.
Is it possible to quickly switch back to the last active window?
Simply tap Alt + Tab to toggle focus back to the last active window. This shortcut is useful for alternating quickly between two applications without cycling through all open applications.
Can I use keyboard shortcuts to focus on the desktop directly?
Press Windows + D to show or hide the desktop. This shortcut minimizes all open windows, clearing the screen and focusing on the desktop. Press it again to restore the windows to their original state.
How do I rearrange minimized windows in the taskbar using only the keyboard?
To navigate through windows represented on the taskbar, press Windows + T. Once focused on the taskbar, use left and right arrow keys to select a window. Press Enter to maximize or bring it into focus.
How can I find a window that I minimized and can’t seem to locate?
Press Windows + M to minimize all open windows to the taskbar, which should make it easier to locate specific minimized windows. Alternatively, use Windows + D to minimize and then bring back all windows, which can sometimes refresh the layout and visibility of windows.
Can I adjust a window’s transparency using keyboard shortcuts?
Windows 11 does not support adjusting window transparency through standard keyboard shortcuts. For transparency or other visual effects, you may need to explore third-party software solutions that provide customizable keyboard shortcuts for such features.
How to cycle through controls within a window using the keyboard?
Use the Tab key to navigate forward through interactive elements like buttons, links, and fields within a window. To move backward, press Shift + Tab. When you reach the desired control, use Enter or Space to activate or select the control. This method is highly useful in dialog boxes or forms.
Is there a shortcut for switching directly to the desktop from any application?
Press Windows + M to minimize all windows and shift focus immediately to the desktop, an alternative to Windows + D. Use Windows + Shift + M to restore all minimized windows back to their original state.
Can I maximize a window directly from the keyboard without using ‘Alt + Space’?
With the window active, press Windows + Up Arrow. This command maximizes the window directly without navigating through the system menu. If the window is already maximized, using this shortcut has no effect.
Related: How to Restore Hidden or Minimized Windows
Windows 11 provides a highly customizable user interface, allowing you to manage and arrange your windows in various ways. However, this flexibility can sometimes lead to confusion when windows become hidden, minimized, or resized. In our other guide, we show you various methods to restore windows that fall into these different categories: – Whether your window is minimized, hidden, or just needs to be resized back to full-screen mode.
Related: How to Switch Between Desktops in Windows 11 or Windows 10
Windows offers several methods to switch between desktops, each tailored to different user preferences. In our other guide, we show you how to switch between desktops in Windows 10 or Windows 11, unsing hotkeys, Task View, or touchpad gestures.
Related: How to Show All Open Windows on the Taskbar in Windows 11
When working with multiple screens and virtual desktops in Windows 11, managing how open windows appear on the taskbar is essential for smooth multitasking. By default, the taskbar only displays windows from the desktop you’re actively using, which can make it difficult to track all your open applications if you’re working across several desktops. In our other guide, we show you how to customize your Windows 11 taskbar to display open windows from either the current desktop or all desktops.
Last Updated on October 3, 2024 12:57 pm CEST
