Moving windows around with just your keyboard can really save time, especially if you’re trying to keep your hands on the keyboard and avoid constantly reaching for that mouse. It’s kind of weird how Windows doesn’t make this super obvious, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a game-changer for productivity. Sometimes, it feels like you’re giving your fingers a workout, but hey, that’s part of the charm. This trick works well for all the folks who want to organize their desktop quickly, especially on multi-monitor setups or when dealing with multiple apps open at once.
How to Move Windows with Keyboard
If you’re tired of dragging windows around with your mouse or just want to speed up your workflow, here’s how to do it using just your keyboard. It’s not totally foolproof—and sometimes a little finicky depending on your system—but for the most part, it should get the job done. Just a heads up, some of these shortcuts *can* behave differently based on your Windows version or custom system settings, so if it’s not working right away, double-check those.
Activate the Window
- First, make sure the window you want to move is active. Use Alt + Tab to cycle through open apps. Keep hitting Alt + Tab until the window you want is highlighted. On some setups, or if the app behaves wonky, you might need to click on the window or click again inside it to focus. Once it’s active, move on.
Open the Window Menu and Pick Move
- Next, hit Alt + Spacebar. This opens a little menu in the corner of the window, kind of like right-clicking but via keyboard. On some systems, if that doesn’t do anything, the window might be in a weird state, or you might need to click in the window first.
- Then press M for “Move.” Sometimes, it takes a second or two for everything to register, so don’t get frustrated if it seems laggy. Just try again.
Use Arrow Keys to Position the Window
- Now, use your arrow keys (Up, Down, Left, Right) to nudge the window around. This part is kind of clunky, but it works once you get the hang of it. Keep tapping until the window is where you want it. No mouse needed.
Finalize Position by Hitting Enter
- Once you’re happy with the placement, press Enter. The window will stay right there. Think of it as setting the window in its new home.
Repeat as Needed
- Whenever you need to move another window, just repeat these steps. It’s handy if you’re juggling a few apps and want to keep things tidy. On some machines, this whole process might be a little buggy at first, or the menu might not come up immediately—depends on Windows version and system quirks.
Tips for Moving Windows with Keyboard
- If the window doesn’t respond, try restoring it down first (click the restore button or press Alt + Spacebar then R) before attempting to move. Some maximized windows resist the move trick.
- On certain laptops or with custom keyboard configs, these shortcuts might be slightly different. Play around with the menu access if Alt + Spacebar doesn’t work.
- If you want to move windows using more advanced or persistent shortcuts, tools like FancyZones from Microsoft PowerToys** can help. They let you set zones where windows automatically snap, which kind of bypasses the whole “manual move” thing.
- In some cases, a quick restart of Explorer.exe or your PC can fix weird behaviors if moving windows seems frozen or unresponsive after a system update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move windows with the keyboard on both Windows and Mac?
On Windows, yeah, this built-in method works just fine. For Mac, it’s a bit more complicated and usually needs third-party apps like MouseFix or window management tools. MacOS doesn’t natively support moving windows around with just the keyboard in the same way.
What if Alt + Spacebar doesn’t work?
Make sure the window is active, obviously. If it still fails, check your keyboard shortcuts in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard or try running your system in safe mode to see if some third-party app is messing with shortcuts. On some setups, the menu can be disabled or reassigned.
Can all windows be moved with the keyboard?
Most normal apps and system windows support this. But full-screen apps or certain secure windows are locked down and won’t respond to these shortcuts. Also, some custom window managers or Linux setups might handle this differently.
What if the window just refuses to move?
Usually, it’s because it’s maximized. Try restoring down first (Alt + Spacebar, then R) before moving. If it still won’t budge, sometimes a restart helps. Or maybe the window is in some special mode or frozen state.
How do I reset a window to its default position?
Typically, closing it and reopening will place it back where it’s supposed to be. Some apps remember their last position, so if you want to reset that, look for a “reset window position” option in the app’s menu or reset preferences manually.
Summary of Steps
- Select the window with Alt + Tab.
- Hit Alt + Spacebar then M.
- Use arrow keys to nudge the window into place.
- Press Enter when done.
- Repeat whenever you need it again.
Wrap-up
Figuring out how to move windows with just the keyboard isn’t exactly intuitive at first, but it’s a neat trick to have in your back pocket. Once it clicks, you’ll find it’s a faster way to organize your workspace without constantly reaching for the mouse. Sure, it can be a little frustrating at first—Windows isn’t really trying to make this obvious or smooth—but with a bit of patience, it’s doable.
Hopefully, this helps someone save a few seconds or even minutes each day. If you get the hang of it, you might even start to prefer controlling your desktop purely via keyboard. Good luck, and happy organizing!