How to move a window using keyboard only in Windows 10 and other versions

It is not often that you need to move a window using the keyboard only in the Windows operating system. Windows is designed to be used with a mouse besides the keyboard, and now touch. Every Windows user at least has a touchpad or mouse these days. However, if the keyboard is what you prefer to use, then here is how you can move a window using the keyboard! Moving a window using the keyboard can be useful if your window is partially or fully out of the screen or if some buttons that you need to click are under the Taskbar which usually appears always on top covering them.

To move a window using keyboard only in Windows 10 and all earlier Windows versions, do the following:

  1. Switch to the desired window using Alt + Tab.alt tab
    Tip: See how to tweak Alt+Tab to enlarge thumbnails and disable live aero peek preview. Also see two secrets of Alt + Tab dialog in Windows 10 you might not be aware of.
  2. Press Alt +   Space   shortcut keys together on the keyboard to open the window menu.window context menu
  3. Now, press M. The mouse cursor will move to the title bar of the window and turn into a cross with arrows:window move cross cursor
  4. Use the left, right, up and down arrow keys to move your window. When you have moved the window to the desired position, press Enter.

You are done.

Modern operating systems like Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 7 allow you to perform few extra actions with windows. They allow you to control the size and positioning of open windows better by dragging them to the edge of the screen. If you drag a window using its title bar to the top edge of the screen, it will be maximized. With the mouse pointer touching the left or right edges of the screen when dragging a window, it will be snapped to the left or right side of the screen respectively. This feature is called Snap.

If you grab the title bar of a window with the mouse and drag and shake it, all other background windows will be minimized. This is called Aero Shake. Both actions have their own hotkeys:
Win + Home: Same as Aero Shake (minimizes all windows except the foreground window)
Win + Left arrow key: Snaps an app window to the left.
Win + Right arrow key: Snaps an app window to the right.
Win + Up arrow key: Maximizes a window.
Win + Shift + Up arrow key: Maximizes/resizes a window vertically.
Win + Down arrow key: Minimizes a window if it's not maximized, otherwise it restores the window to its original non-maximized sized.

Aero Snap in Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7 can also be customized. While the operating system does not allow you to control individual options, you can use my freeware Winaero Tweaker to enable or disable snapping, drag to maximize and vertical resizing options:Winaero Tweaker disable snapping only

Bonus tip: You can also resize a window to a specific size or move it to specific position using the free app, Sizer. sizer window menu item

Also, using the free AquaSnap, you can get Windows 10 Snap features in Windows 7 and XP.AquaSnap1That's it.

6 thoughts on “How to move a window using keyboard only in Windows 10 and other versions

  1. Ivan

    I want to add that you can hold down Ctrl when using arrow keys to move window more precise.

    1. EatKale

      Hey thanks Ivan, I didn’t know this. Great tip.


    Could you add how to send a window to another virtual desktop (Windows 10), and/or that this is not possible with keyboard shortcuts?

    1. austing shan

      win+cltr+ right arrow to go virtual desktop and left arrow to back

  3. Laura

    Thank you!!! :)

  4. Ian

    Fantastic – thank you!


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