If you managed to get a window off screen or at least have the top cut off, you’ve probably wondered how to close the off screen window.
There are a few things you can do to close the window. Make the window in question the active window by clicking the window itself or by clicking the window in the taskbar. Alternatively, you can hit the Win Key (Ctrl+Esc) > Esc > and then Tab to window in question. Then try:
- Press Alt+Space to pop open the system menu
- Right click or Shift+Right click (Win 7/8) the window on the taskbar and select Move
- If you are using Windows 7 or 8 you can use Win Key+Arrow keys to position the window in various positions on the monitor. On the same monitor :
- Win Key+Left arrow: snap window to the left half of the screen.
- Win Key+Right arrow: snap window to the right half of the screen.
- Win Key+Up arrow: maximize the window.
- Win Key+Down arrow: minimize or Restore the window based on whether its up or not.
- If you have 2 monitors:
- Win Key+Shift+Left arrow: move window to the monitor on the left
- Win Key+Shift+Right arrow: move window to the monitor on the right
Remember, a window could mean something like windows explorer, settings, programs, or even your documents. I use these shortcuts all the time, probably more often than any other modern Windows OS innovation (that you actively use).
For more Windows shortcuts, check out Microsoft’s Keyboard Shortcut support page.
You don’t have to do everything with your mouse. When a pesky off screen window can’t be closed, use your keyboard to get your screen clear again.
