How to drag a window?

perkinwarbeck · Oct 20, 2023

For years, the title bar was real estate that belonged to the user (at least I viewed it that way). But in recent years, developers like Google and Microsoft have taken over more and more of the title bar with their content. To move a window (with one hand) now means finding an empty spot on the title bar to click and drag. With the latest Chrome, the distinction between tabs and the tiny space above them has all but disappeared, making it easy to rip off a tab (as a separate window) unless you click with pinpoint accuracy. So what I'm looking for is a way to move a window (one-handed ideally) without grabbing the title bar. Is there a keyboard shortcut that can be combined with a mouse click that will allow me to drag a window by clicking anywhere inside the window? I know about the Move trick (the one that allows you to move a window that's hidden offscreen), but it's too complicated for general use. I'm a dinosaur, I know. I work on a single screen with a lot of open windows, and I move windows around a lot.

Windows 11 version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.2283)

Ghot · Oct 20, 2023

perkinwarbeck said:
With the latest Chrome, the distinction between tabs and the tiny space above them has all but disappeared

There should be a setting somewhere in Chrome to give you back the regular old title bar.
I know there is in Firefox. As you can see I use it...

Sorry I can't be more helpful... but I don't use Chrome.

perkinwarbeck · Oct 20, 2023

If it exists, I can't find it. I'm tempted to switch to Edge because it has a vertical tabs option.

glasskuter · Oct 20, 2023

perkinwarbeck said:
I work on a single screen with a lot of open windows, and I move windows around a lot.

I'm with @Ghot. I don't use Chrome either but use FF where the title bar real estate is still mine. It seems only the Chromium based browsers steal the space when multiple tabs are open. Edge is Chromium based.

I'm a dinosaur too. I always have multiple windows open all the time. Depending on what I'm doing and how I want to see my windows, Snap assist, task view, and multiple desktops are my most used productivity tools. There are many videos out there explaining how each of these features work, alone or combined. If you learn how to use them, you may never drag a window to move it again. (Nah, just kidding. You will, But you'll have way fewer times that you actually need to.)

AndreTen · Oct 20, 2023

There is usually an empty space near the right side, before the close buttons, even if you have a really lot of tabs open.

This place is there in Firefox, Edge and Chrome. Not that I like this compromise.. but you have a tiny spot to click on

johnlgalt · Oct 20, 2023

Easiest way is to get out of maximized mode by clicking the middle of the three icons at the far right, then drag. Can easily be done one handed.

perkinwarbeck · Oct 20, 2023

glasskuter said:
I'm with @Ghot. I don't use Chrome either but use FF where the title bar real estate is still mine. It seems only the Chromium based browsers steal the space when multiple tabs are open. Edge is Chromium based.

I'm a dinosaur too. I always have multiple windows open all the time. Depending on what I'm doing and how I want to see my windows, Snap assist, task view, and multiple desktops are my most used productivity tools. There are many videos out there explaining how each of these features work, alone or combined. If you learn how to use them, you may never drag a window to move it again. (Nah, just kidding. You will, But you'll have way fewer times that you actually need to.)

I just tried task view. It looks like the way to go. Thanks for the great advice.