How to Disable Aero Snap in Windows 7 (Automatic Resizing & Moving of Windows)
HELP! Windows 7 Automatically Moves and Resizes My Windows! How do I Turn This Off?
As soon users have discovered inadvertently Windows 7 now comes installed with a feature that can automatically move and resize your Windows depending on where they are dragged on the screen. This feature in Windows 7 is known as “Aero Snap” and was designed to increase productivity by allowing users to manage their windows easier.
Though in some cases this can lead to pure frustration for users, which is the case for many of the people who have emailed me asking how to fix this from happening.
If you prefer to manage your windows yourself and would like to disable Aero snap altogether simply follow these 3 easy steps:
- First click “Start” > “Control Panel” and click on “Ease of Access”. Under Ease of Access Center select “Change how your mouse works”.
- In the new window look for an option that says “Make it easier to manage Windows”.
- Put a check mark next to the option that says “Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of the screen”. Then click “Ok” to save your settings.
(The option above can also be set under “Change how your keyboard works” under the Ease of Access Center.)
You have now disabled the Aero Snap feature in Windows 7 and should no longer have to worry about your workspace being arranged automatically when you accidently move a window.
Braino Said,
March 25, 2011 @ 2:09 pm
at the end of step 1…
For me it doesn’t say “Change how your mouse works”, instead it says “Make the mouse easier to use”. I think yours says the same….
I actually like Aero Snap, except when it tries to re-size a window just because I moved it around (not to the edge). This happens alot to me when working with RDP windows, and then I have to re-size them full or drag them to an edge, which just isn’t right. Wish I could keep snap and avoid my window sizes shrinking when I move them…!
heyheypaw Said,
October 27, 2011 @ 12:18 pm
Thank you soooooooooo much, this has been the most annoying feature for me. You have just stopped my anger issues with my computer!!!
admin Said,
November 8, 2011 @ 8:04 am
Glad to hear that worked for you heyheypaw! It was hard to get used to when I was new to Windows 7.
Nancy Said,
January 31, 2012 @ 4:58 am
This doesn’t work for me. I think it has something to do with the new monitor they installed at work. Any other suggestions? It’s driving me crazy!!
JB Christy Said,
February 22, 2012 @ 11:01 am
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! If computers are going to try to be smarter than me, they better freakin’ succeed. In this case Windows 7 utterly failed. Thanks for helping me tell it I know better than it does what I want to do.
Rob Wills Said,
February 28, 2012 @ 11:17 am
THANK YOU!! Reiterating the above – one of the stupidest things MS came up with!! At least they had the foresight to allow us to shut it off.
Mine also didn’t say “Change how your mouse works”, instead it says “Make the mouse easier to use”.
How about alphabetizing the control panel choices up and down the page, instead of across the page? Much more annoying than Aero Snap, just don’t go there much.