Taking Back Control: Disabling Automatic Window Maximization in Windows 10
As technology advances, so too does the complexity of our devices. Windows 10 offers many conveniences to make using your computer more efficient, but sometimes these features become more frustrating than helpful. One such feature is the automatic maximization that occurs when you double-click a window’s title bar.
For those of us with less than perfect motor control or who simply want more deliberate control over our windows, this auto-maximize effect can be extremely disruptive. But before you get overwhelmed trying to tame this unruly feature, take a deep breath. With a few simple tweaks, you can disable window maximization and take back control of your Windows 10 experience.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk through several methods to deactivate auto-maximize, ranging from easy to more advanced. There’s a solution here for every Windows 10 user, regardless of your comfort level working with settings and registries. Let’s get started!
Using Windows Settings to Disable Snap Assist
The simplest approach leverages the built-in Windows Settings. Here’s how:
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Open the Start Menu and click the Settings icon.
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Type "snap" in the search box at the top.
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Toggle the switch for "Arrange windows automatically by dragging them to the sides or corners of the screen" to the Off position.
This disables Snap Assist, the feature that automatically maximizes windows when you drag them to an edge. Voila! No more accidental maximizations.
While quick and easy, this method has a drawback. It disables Snap Assist systemwide, preventing you from manually snapping windows as well. If you still want the ability to neatly organize windows with drag-to-snap, try one of the other solutions below.
Using the Command Line to Target Auto-Maximize
For more granular control, the command line allows you to disable just the auto-maximize function triggered by double-clicking the title bar.
Follow these steps:
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Search for Command Prompt in the Start Menu. Right-click and select Run as Administrator.
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In the Command Prompt, type the following line:
reg add HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop /v WindowArrangementActive /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f -
Press Enter to run the command.
This adds a new registry key that specifically disables that pesky auto-maximize feature while keeping other elements of Snap Assist intact. Nice work!
Feeling overwhelmed by the command line instructions? Don’t fret. The next technique is incredibly simple and doesn’t require any coding knowledge.
Try a Third-Party App for a Point-and-Click Solution
If command lines aren’t your thing, third-party apps offer an easy point-and-click method to disable window maximization in Windows 10.
One excellent free option is Ultimate Windows Tweaker. Simply download, install, and open the app. Navigate to the Tweaks tab, scroll down to Windows Explorer, and uncheck the option for "Double click on window title bar to maximize." Click Apply Tweaks and you’re all set!
The handy UI makes this our recommended approach for less tech-savvy users who still want granular control over the auto-maximize function.
Take Your Pick of Workarounds
Accidental window maximizations interrupting your workflow? We feel your frustration. Luckily, whether you’re a coding pro or a total tech newbie, one of these solutions should do the trick:
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Disable Snap Assist via Windows Settings for a quick systemwide fix
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Use a targeted command line tweak to turn off just auto-maximize
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Try Ultimate Windows Tweaker for an easy point-and-click solution
No matter which method you choose, soon you’ll be able to move and resize windows freely without unexpected full-screening. Got other Windows 10 annoyances you want to banish? Let us know in the comments! We love tricking out our Windows experience with optimizations tailored to our unique needs.
