Sometimes Windows 11 applications refuse to let you adjust their size, leaving you stuck with awkwardly large or small windows. Fortunately, there are a few clever workarounds to resize even the most stubborn non-resizable windows. This guide will show you how to take back control of your screen real estate using built-in Windows tools and keyboard shortcuts.
Method 1: Use Keyboard Shortcuts
The quickest way to resize a non-resizable window is by using a combination of keyboard shortcuts:
Step 1: Click on the window you want to resize to make sure it’s active.
Step 2: Press Alt + Space on your keyboard. This opens the window’s system menu.
Step 3: Press the S key to select the “Size” option from the menu.
Step 4: Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to resize the window. The up and down arrows adjust the height, while left and right arrows change the width.
Step 5: Once you’re happy with the new size, press Enter to confirm the changes.
This method works for most applications, even those that don’t normally allow resizing through mouse dragging.
Method 2: Use the Task Manager
If keyboard shortcuts don’t work, you can try forcing the window to resize through the Task Manager:
Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Step 2: In the Task Manager, find the application you want to resize in the list of running processes.
Step 3: Right-click on the application and select “Switch to”.
Step 4: The application window should now be active. Try resizing it using the keyboard shortcut method described above.
This technique can sometimes “unstick” windows that are behaving oddly and refusing to resize.
Method 3: Adjust Display Scaling
Changing your display scaling can indirectly force stubborn windows to resize:
Step 1: Right-click on your desktop and select “Display settings”.
Step 2: Under “Scale & layout”, adjust the scaling percentage. Try 125% or 150% if you’re currently at 100%.
Step 3: Log out and back in to apply the changes.
Step 4: Open the problematic application. It should now appear at a different size.
Step 5: If desired, return to Display settings and set scaling back to your preferred level.
This method can be particularly useful for older applications that don’t play well with Windows 11’s window management.
Tips for Managing Window Sizes in Windows 11
- Use Windows 11’s built-in Snap Layouts feature to quickly organize windows into preset arrangements. Hover over a window’s maximize button to see available layouts.
- For frequently used applications, consider creating custom shortcuts that launch the program at a specific size and position using third-party tools like AutoHotkey.
- If an application consistently causes issues, check for updates or contact the developer. The problem might be a known bug that’s been fixed in a newer version.
- Remember that some applications intentionally limit resizing to maintain a specific user interface or functionality. In these cases, the methods above may not work or could cause unexpected behavior.
With these techniques, you should be able to resize most stubborn windows in Windows 11. Experiment with different methods to find what works best for each application. Happy window wrangling!