Turn Off/On Window Snap

Written by Eric Wyatt (last updated October 19, 2020)

Windows 8 introduced users to Snap, or Snap behavior. Snap allows for your windows to be organized on your screen, via either mouse, keyboard, or the Snap Assist feature, and have them "snap" to certain areas of your screen. This can be and was designed to be a help to users who want to display the content of their screen in a certain way.

While Snap can be helpful, at times it can be a bit annoying, such as when you specifically do not want the window to "snap" to a predefined size or position. This is the case with a Windows user who wrote that they were trying to position some windows and it would automatically snap to full screen because they had moved a window too close to the top edge. (This caused Windows, in an attempt to help, to assume that they wanted to snap the window to that size.) To turn Windows Snap behavior off, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key and type (without quotes) "multitasking settings", then press Enter. This opens the Multitasking section of the Settings dialog box.
  2. Click on the switch under the "Snap Windows" heading. This turns off the Snap feature. (See Figure 1.)
  3. Figure 1. The Multitasking section of system settings.

  4. Close the Settings dialog box. Your change takes place immediately; no need to restart or anything.

Those simple steps allow you to turn the Snap windows setting on or off. You may find times that you do prefer to have the Snap setting turned on. If you repeat the steps above, in step 2 simply turn the setting back on.

 This tip (13791) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

MORE FROM ERIC

Installing a Native Progressive Web App

Windows 10 with the Edge Chromium browser allows you to install Progressive Web Apps. These allow for fast installation ...

Discover More

Remove Saved Passwords in Edge Chromium

Having Edge store password information can be a time saver and helpful. See how to remove saved passwords within Edge.

Discover More

Edge Chromium Setting URLs

Edge Chromium allows access to settings using shortcut URLs. Use this list of Edge settings shortcut URLs to quickly ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Downloads and Storage Sense

Storage Sense can free up limited storage space on your computer automatically. Make sure you don't have it delete files ...

Discover More

Swapping Mouse Buttons for Left-Handed Users

By default, the mouse is configured such that the primary mouse button is the left one, and the secondary mouse button is ...

Discover More

Clean Boot Windows 10

When your computer is not running the way it should, you can try a clean boot. A clean boot in Windows 10 provides more ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is eight less than 8?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips