Windows and layoutsWorks on Free
How to open apps at startup in a set window layout
Make a KeyRoutines routine with the When KeyRoutines starts trigger (KeyRoutines starts at sign-in), add an Open app step for each app with Wait for set to its window, then one Apply layout step. Apply layout puts every window on the monitor and part of the screen you choose.
Steps
- 1
Trigger at sign-in
Add the When KeyRoutines starts trigger. KeyRoutines starts when you sign in to Windows, so the routine runs then.
- 2
Open your apps
Add one Open app step per app, with Wait for set to window so the next step only runs once the window exists.
- 3
Arrange them
Arrange the windows the way you like once, then add Apply layout and use Snapshot current layout to copy where each window is.
- 4
Handle stragglers
Set Apply layout's missing-window option to wait or skip, so a slow app doesn't stop the whole routine.
Tips
- Turn the apps' own "start with Windows" options off, so they don't open twice.
- Window positions use fractions of each monitor, so the layout still fits after a resolution change.
Questions
- Does Windows 11 not restore my apps?
- Windows can reopen some apps after a restart, but it doesn't promise which monitor or size they get. Apply layout does it the same way every time.
- Can I run it later on demand too?
- Yes. Add a Hotkey trigger to the same routine and it runs at sign-in and whenever you press the key.