Alt+Drag or Windows+Drag to move windows

[mattroyal]

Summary of the new feature/enhancement

Moving windows using the mouse relies on hitting a small target, especially on high-resolution screens. Add an option to move entire windows by alt-dragging or windows-dragging them, anywhere on the window except perhaps the resize area.

Proposed technical implementation details

Stefan Sundin has done great work on AltDrag: https://stefansundin.github.io/altdrag/ . With permission, I'd use this as an initial reference.

Alt+Drag or Windows+Drag could be implemented as part of FancyZones, activated with a toggle.

[loligans]

Alt+Drag would be nice, but also Alt+Resize would be just as helpful. Especially if the window snaps to borders.

[dnunes]

Alt+Drag and Alt+Resize with snapping is my dream for windows management on Windows system.
Unfortunetely AltDrag (app) doesn't play along with my current AutoHotKey "Keyboard Second Layer" (uses LAlt), as it eventually start acting up and I have to close and reopen it. Having this funcionality in PowerToys would be wonderful.

[stefansundin]

Thanks for suggesting this @mattroyal. I am ok with AltDrag being used as a reference.

Maybe when it is done and AltDrag becomes somewhat obsolete, then maybe Microsoft can send me a donation. Or at least buy me lunch (I live in Seattle now). 😉

[enricogior]

@stefansundin
if you are interested, you may consider adding your awesome tool as a PowerToys module.

[enricogior]

@stefansundin
also, consider that it will be possible to put a link to your web page in the powertoys settings with a text like "Donate to author", so users that want to donate for your work will know how to do it.

[loligans]

I’ve decided to take a stab at this PowerToy.

[enricogior]

Hi @loligans
great to hear!
It would be nice to make the 'Alt' key configurable since in some apps 'Alt drag' is actually used for other purposes. You can take a look at the FancyZones code for an example of how to make a key configurable through the settings.
If you have any question don't hesitate to ask.

[loligans]

Yeah I've been utilizing the fancyzones project as a frame of reference. They share very similar functionality, so it's made it easier to get started. It's open for discussion, but for an initial version here are the settings that can be modified.

enum class Action
{
    /* No action will be performed. */
    Nothing,
    /* Move a window. */
    Move,
    /* Resizes a window. */
    Resize,
    /* Minimize a window. */
    Minimize,
    /* Lower the window. */
    Lower,
    /* Make a window topmost. */
    AlwaysOnTop,
    /* Center a window on the screen. */
    Center,
    /* Close a window. */
    Close
};

/*Whether the window should be focused while dragging*/
bool focusWindowWhenDragging = false;
/*Middle clicking the title bar sends it to the back*/
bool lowerWindowByMiddleClickingTitleBar = false;
/*Snap to monitor borders*/
bool snapToScreenBorders = false;
/*Snap to borders of other windows*/
bool snapToOutsideOtherWindows = false;
/*Left mouse button action*/
Action leftMouseButton = Action::Nothing;
/*Middle mouse button action*/
Action middleMouseButton = Action::Nothing;
/*Right mouse button action*/
Action rightMouseButton = Action::Nothing;

/*Hotkey to activate the module. Defaults to ALT*/
PowerToysSettings::HotkeyObject activationHotkey = PowerToysSettings::HotkeyObject::from_settings(false, false, true, false, VK_MENU, L"");

[enricogior]

Hi @loligans
I should let you know that we have already plans for a "Always on top" module with a specific UI in mind.
My suggestion is that you start with implementing just the Alt-drag functionality and then we can chat about adding more functionalities.
Sounds like a plan?
Thanks you.