How to Disable or Enable (Turn On or Off) Windows 7 Snap Automatically Maximize and Arrange Window
Among new features of Windows 7 is Snap (or Smart Window Arrangement), where Snap functionality enables end-user to move a window toward the top of the screen to maximize the window to fill the screen automatically, or drag the window to the edges of the screen to resize and expand the window vertically instantly.
Snap is designed as a convenient and smart function to manage and arrange the windows on desktop effectively, including ability to position windows side by side. But sometimes some people may feel the feature is too smart till inconvenient. In this case, it’s possible to disable or turn off Snap from automatically arrange window when it’s moved to the edge of screen.
Disable and Turn Off Windows 7 Snap Smart Window Arrangement
- Run Register Editor (RegEdit).
- Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
- In the right-pane, double click (or right click and select Modify) on WindowArrangementActive, and set its REG_SZ value to 0.
- Close Registry Editor.
- Log off and log on again, or restart computer for the change to take effect.
Alternatively, download the following registry registration file to merge the value directly: Disable-Windows-7-Snap.reg. Simply double click the Disable-Windows-7-Snap.reg to prevent window from snapping.
If you like the Snap to automatically arrange window for you when window is moved to the top, left or right edge of the screen or desktop, but the feature is not working (Snap is enabled by default on Windows 7), or been disabled, use the following steps to enable and turn on the Snap arrange window feature manually.
Enable and Turn On Windows 7 Snap Smart Window Arrangement
- Run Register Editor (RegEdit).
- Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
- In the right-pane, double click (or right click and select Modify) on WindowArrangementActive, and set its REG_SZ value to 1.
- Close Registry Editor.
- Log off and log on again, or restart computer for the change to take effect.
Alternatively, download the following registry registration file to merge the value directly: Enable-Windows-7-Snap.reg. Simply double click the Enable-Windows-7-Snap.reg to allow Snap to automatically maximize, restore, and arrange window when moved to edge of screen.
It’s also possible to enable or disable Snap Window Arrangement feature through Windows 7 GUI desktop, specifically through the Ease Of Access Center.
- Open the Control Panel.
- In “Large Icons” or “Small Icons” view, click on the Ease of Access Center icon. Then, click on either Make the mouse easier to use link.
In “Category” view, go to East of Access, and then click Change how your mouse works link.
- Under the “Make it easier to manage windows” section, tick the check box for Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of the screen option to turn off and disable Snap.
To enable and turn on Snap, untick and unselect the check box for Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edged of the screen
- Click on OK.
- Close the Ease of Access Center window. The change takes effect immediately without the need to restart or logout.
Related posts:
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- AeroSnap Free Download to Enable Windows 7 Aero Snap Features in XP and Vista
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Hi I came accross this forum as my Windows Snap feature had stopped working in Windows 7, I later discovered a much easier way on enabling / disabling the snap function:
Go to Control Panel > Ease of Access Centre
Select ‘ Make the mouse easier to use’ ( I know its nothing to do with the mouse)
At the bottom under ‘Make it easier to use windows’ mine had a checkbox with a tick in under ‘Prevent Windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of the screen’
It now works again, Id never seen this page before but yet the checkbox was checked, i can only put it down to a corrupt file
Thanks
great info. It worked perfect
There’s got to be some way to stop the taskbar in autohide mode from nudging / bumping / repositioning / shifting / moving windows upwards when it reappears. I’m using GiMeSpace for unlimited desktop size and for some reason windows 7 just has to move my windows around when they get near the edges of the screen or the taskbar. The fix here didn’t do it. PLEASE HELP! ANY IDEAS? ANYONE???
Hate to say it but you I agree with some of them, you should have done the control panel 1st.
Last thing you need is some noob that doesnt like regedit making a "1D10T error" in their registry and blaming you for their incompetence.
You did put a link to a downloadable key edit and everyone should know when following a guide you read the full guide before starting and that does render the point moot.
But can I edit the registry to still get the top to bottom snap and turn off the full screen snap?
@odizzido:
999 out of 1000 times I agree with you, however in this case the UI-way has the added bonus of the change taking effect immediately and saves you the hassle of "log off and on again"
ME, that is exactly the opposite way that I feel. Why go mucking around in a control panel when there is a 20 second registry fix? Using the registry is so much easier for me.
otherwise go to [option ergonomics] and [Make the mouse easier to use] and then check the box [Prevent windows from being reordered when moved to the edge of the screen].
it's easier than hacking the registry
Thanks M Digital Life, your control panel info sorted out my snap issue. Now give yourself a raise and take the rest of the day off
Thanks! But it might have been better to start off with the instructions for the Control Panel option rather than mucking with the registry.
I really appreciate the tip, I did not like the Snap Smart feature at all. So glad I found a way to turn it off.
Thanks again!
Lorraine
Why are you playing around with the registry? there is an much easier way in the control panel in the ease of access center and inside the make is easier to focus on tasks. Just tick the prevent windows from being automatically arrange etc. I don't know why you want to go messing around with the registry when you have a very easy tool of disabling it.
leptop saya pake windows7 starter, softwarenya dari pabrik, ketika kena virus langsung saya recovery pake cd bawaan, tapi ketika udah selesai recovery windows nya lebih dari 1, karena recovery berulang kali (mencoba).
bagaimana caranya menghapus windows yang lebih dari satu tersebut, karena C nya jadi penuh.
udah saya coba delete manual tapi tidak bisa.
mohon bantuannya…
This tip allowed me fix my problem with not being able to use taskbar preview thumbnails and jump lists (they would always "disappear" before I could select them. I went to Control Panel/Ease Of Access Center/Make the Mouse Easier to Use and turned off "Activate a Window by Hovering Over it With the Mouse". Now the thumbnails and jump lists operate as advertised!
Many thanks!!
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