Frustrated with Snapping? Here’s How to Disable It in Windows 11

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the simple steps to disable snapping in Windows 11. By doing so, you’ll gain complete control over how your windows are arranged on your screen, thus allowing you to focus on your tasks without interruptions.

First, let’s take a quick look at the basic steps to disable snapping in Windows 11:  

• Open Settings: Click on the Start menu and select “Settings.”

• Go to System: In the Settings app, click on “System.”

• Choose Multitasking: Under the System settings, select “Multitasking.”

• Disable Snapping: Locate the “Snap windows” option and turn it off.

However, this is only a brief overview. For a more comprehensive understanding, we encourage you to continue reading the entire blog.

Further in the post, we have provided more detailed step-by-step instructions to disable snapping in Windows 11.  

How to disable Snapping in Windows 11 ?

Snapping is a feature in Windows 11 that automatically resizes and positions windows on your screen. While it can be helpful for multitasking, it can also be frustrating if you prefer to arrange your windows manually.

Here are several methods you can use to disable snapping in Windows 11:

Method 1: Using Settings

Open Settings:

• Firstly, click on the Start button (Windows icon) on the taskbar or press the Windows key on your keyboard.

• Secondly, select Settings (the gear icon).

Navigate to System:

• Next, in the Settings window, click on System from the left sidebar.

Select Multitasking:

• After that, scroll down and click on Multitasking in the System settings.

Disable Snap Windows:

• Now, you will see an option labeled Snap windows. Toggle the switch to Off to disable the snapping feature.

Close Settings:

• Finally, once you’ve made your changes, you can close the Settings window.

Method 2: Using Registry Editor

Note: Editing the registry can be risky. Therefore, make sure to back up your registry before making any changes.

Open Registry Editor:

• To begin, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

• Subsequently, type regedit and press Enter.

Navigate to the Key:

• Once in the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Create or Modify the Value:

• Next, look for a value named SnapAssist. If it doesn’t exist, right-click in the right pane, select New, then DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it SnapAssist.

• Afterwards, double-click on SnapAssist and set its value to 0 to disable snapping.

Close Registry Editor:

• Then, after making the changes, close the Registry Editor.

Restart Your Computer:

• Lastly, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Also check: How do I disable Snap All function in Fusion multiple displays ?

Method 3: Using Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise)

Open Group Policy Editor:

• Firstly, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

• Secondly, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

Navigate to the Policy:

• Next, in the Group Policy Editor, navigate to:  User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

Find the Snap Policy:

• Subsequently, look for the policy named “Turn off the Snap feature”.

Edit the Policy:

• After finding it, double-click on the policy and select Enabled to turn off the snapping feature.

Apply Changes:

• Then, click Apply, then OK to save your changes.

Close Group Policy Editor:

• Finally, close the Group Policy Editor and restart your computer.

Method 4: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

If you want to temporarily disable snapping while working, you can use keyboard shortcuts:

Hold the Windows Key:

• First, while dragging a window, hold the Windows key.

Drag the Window:

• Then, drag the window to the desired position without letting it snap to the edges.  

Disabling the snapping feature in Windows 11 can help create a more personalized and distraction-free workspace.

Whether you prefer using the Settings app, Registry Editor, or Group Policy Editor, these methods provide you with the flexibility to customize your experience.  

Don’t be afraid to experiment with these settings to find what works best for you. If you ever want to re-enable snapping, simply reverse these steps.

How to disable Drag-and-Drop Snapping in Windows 11 ?

Disabling drag-and-drop snapping in Windows 11 can enhance your window management experience. Here are various methods to achieve this without repeating previous answers:

Method 1: Adjusting Snap Settings

Open Settings:

• To begin, right-click on the Start button and select Settings.

Go to System:

• Next, click on System in the left sidebar.

Access Multitasking:

• Then, select Multitasking from the options.

Modify Snap Settings:

• Under the Snap windows section, uncheck the options that shows:

• “Snap windows”

• “When I drag a window, it snaps to the edge of the screen”

• Consequently, this will prevent windows from snapping when dragged.

Close Settings:

• Finally, exit the Settings app to save your changes.

Also Check: Why can’t I move taskbar in Windows 11 ?

Method 2: Using Mouse Properties

Open Control Panel:

• Firstly, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

• Secondly, yype control and press Enter.

Navigate to Mouse Settings:

• Once in the Control Panel, select Hardware and Sound.

• Then, click on Mouse under Devices and Printers.

Adjust Mouse Properties:

• Subsequently, go to the Pointer Options tab.

• Now, uncheck the box that says “Snap To” (if available), which can help reduce unwanted snapping behavior.

Apply Changes:

• Lastly, click Apply, then OK to save your settings.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Software

Download Window Manager Software:

• To start, consider using third-party window management tools like DisplayFusion or PowerToys. These applications often provide more granular control over window behavior.

Install and Configure:

• After downloading, install the software and open it.

• Then, look for settings related to window snapping or dragging and adjust them according to your preferences.

Test the Changes:

• Finally, drag windows around to see if the snapping behavior has been disabled.

Method 4: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Disable Snapping Temporarily:

• While dragging a window, first hold down the Shift key. This can prevent the window from snapping to the edges of the screen.

Drag the Window:

• Next, continue to hold the Shift key while moving the window to your desired location.

Method 5: Modify Display Settings

Open Display Settings:

• Firstly, right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.

Adjust Scaling:

• Secondly, under the Scale and layout section, try changing the scaling percentage. Sometimes, adjusting the scaling can affect how windows snap.

Apply Changes:

• Finally, after making adjustments, check if the drag-and-drop snapping behavior has changed.  

By utilizing these methods, you can effectively disable drag-and-drop snapping in Windows 11.

Also Check: How to fix the ZIP extraction error 0x80010135 ?

Conclusion  

In conclusion, disabling snapping in Windows 11 is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your productivity and personalize your workspace.

Throughout this guide, we’ve explored multiple methods to achieve this, from simple Settings adjustments to more advanced techniques using the Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor.

Moreover, remember that you can always use keyboard shortcuts for temporary control over snapping behavior. Thus, whether you’re a casual user or a power user, there’s a method that suits your comfort level and needs.

Ultimately, by customizing your Windows 11 experience, you’re taking control of how you interact with your computer.

Source: [ microsoft, reddit, makeuseof, pureinfotech ]

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