Arrange windows across monitors
Move, resize, snap, focus and minimise windows, save layouts and react when a window opens, closes or changes title.
Triggers (5)
Display changed
Display changed starts a routine when your monitors change: one is plugged in or unplugged, the laptop docks or undocks, or the resolution, arrangement, scaling or main monitor changes. It's the trigger for "put my windows back when I dock".
Window closed
Window closed starts a routine when a matching window is closed. Unlike App quit, it works for a single window, so it can react to a dialog, a document or a call window even while the app stays open.
Window opened
Window opened starts a routine when a new window matching your description appears. It's useful for apps that open windows in the wrong place, pop-ups you always handle the same way, and specific documents.
Window minimized
Window minimized starts a routine when a window that matches your description is minimized. It's a light way to say "I'm done with this for now" and let the PC react.
Window title changed
Window title changed starts a routine when a matching window's title text changes. Many apps put useful details in their title, such as the current song, the open file or the active tab, so this turns them into events.
Steps (8)
Focus window
Focus window brings a chosen window to the front and gives it keyboard focus. People bind it to hotkeys to jump between their main apps, or use it after Open app to land in the right place.
Apply layout
Apply layout puts several windows on their monitors in one step, and can open apps that aren't running yet. It's the step behind "one key and my whole workspace is set up".
Get window info
Get window info reads details about a window, or simply the one in front, and hands them to later steps. Nothing moves or comes forward; it only looks.
Move and resize
Move and resize puts a window on a chosen monitor at a chosen size and position. It's the single-window version of Apply layout, perfect for snapping one app into place.
Remember layout
Remember layout takes a snapshot of where your windows are right now. A later Restore layout step can put them back exactly, which makes it easy to rearrange things temporarily.
Restore layout
Restore layout moves windows back to a layout remembered earlier in the run, or arranges a named layout from your Layouts library. It's how a routine undoes its own changes, or brings back a saved workspace.
Window state
Window state changes a window's state: restore, minimize, maximize, hide, close it, or keep it on top of other windows. It's the Swiss army knife for tidying windows from a routine.
Show desktop
Show desktop minimizes every window except those of the apps you choose. Unlike Windows' own Show desktop, it can keep your important apps visible, work on one monitor only, and put everything back afterwards.
Conditions (4)
Monitor connected
Monitor connected checks whether a particular monitor, such as your desk display or the living-room TV, is plugged in right now. Routines use it to choose between a docked setup and a laptop-only one.
Monitor count
Monitor count compares the number of monitors that are on with a number you choose. It is the quick way to tell a single-screen laptop from a multi-monitor desk without naming specific displays.
Main monitor
Main monitor checks whether a chosen monitor is the one Windows treats as the main display, where the taskbar and new windows usually go. It's useful for setups that switch between a desk monitor and a TV or projector.
Window exists
Window exists is true while a window that matches your description is open. Use it to wait for a dialog, a specific document or a browser window before a routine carries on.
How-to guides
- How to open apps at startup in a set window layout
- How to save and restore your window layout with a hotkey
- How to put windows back when you reconnect a monitor
- How to keep any window always on top with a hotkey
- How to make an app always open on a specific monitor
- How to close a recurring popup window automatically
- How to switch to an app or open it with one hotkey
- How to minimize every window except one app with a hotkey
- How to get an alert when a window's title changes
- How to wait until an app has fully loaded before the next step
Build this routine in KeyRoutines
Free from the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 and 10. Pro is a one-time upgrade.