Shortcut to swap between 2 opening windows

Question

Shortcut to swap between 2 opening windows

Huy Nguyen 0

Hi, my usual workflow is dividing monitor into 3 zone, with main content I work with on middle in front of me. But if want to change eg: middle zone to left and vice versa, I cant find a shortcut do to it, and current process is include several steps which is inconvenient. Is there a quick way I can do it?

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Answer 1

Teddie-D 1,685 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @Huy Nguyen,
Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

I completely understand how important it is to have a smooth and efficient setup, especially when you're used to working across multiple zones on a monitor. Based on my research, FancyZones may help you resolve your issue. FancyZones is a window manager utility for arranging and snapping windows into efficient layouts to improve your workflow and restore layouts quickly. You can follow the instruction in this article PowerToys FancyZones utility for Windows | Microsoft Learn

Here are two ways to manage window movement more efficiently:

Option 1: Manually move a window into a specific zone by holding Shift (or Ctrl) + Drag:
-Open PowerToys > FancyZones.

-Ensure "Hold Shift key to activate zones while dragging" is enabled.

-Click and hold the window’s title bar.

-While holding Shift (or Ctrl, depending on your setting), drag the window.

-Drop it into the highlighted zone.
Option 2: Quickly cycle a window through your defined zones using keyboard by using Win + Arrow Keys (with override enabled)

-Open PowerToys > FancyZones.

-Scroll to "Windows Snap" section.

-Enable: "Override Windows Snap shortcut (Win + Arrow) to move windows between zones".

-Select a window and press: Win + Left Arrow or Win + Right Arrow to move it between zones. Note: FancyZones doesn’t currently support a built-in "swap" function between two windows, but using Win + Arrow shortcut can speed up repositioning significantly.
I hope this helps.

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Huy Nguyen 0 Reputation points

2025-06-20T12:00:38.34+00:00

Hi Teddie, thank you for your promt response. Actually I already using Fancy Zones, and Enable: "Override Windows Snap shortcut (Win + Arrow) to move windows between zones" as you suggest.

Issue with this solution is that it allow me to use "win+arrow key" to move from eg left zone to middle, or middle to right, but at the same time will disable "When I snap window, suggest what I can snap next to it". Hence, now my step is: press win+arrow to allocate 1st window to position I want (this action will cover the window which is originally at zone where 1st now been moved to); alt + tab to call on surface the 2nd window which have been covered: then win+arrow again to move 2nd window to new positiion.

This whole process is duplicate and not frienly when I repeat them dozen of times per hour.

My alternative thought, is that we can sort this out, if "Override Windows Snap shortcut (Win + Arrow) to move windows between zones" can be used same time with "When I snap window, suggest what I can snap next to it". How do you think? Can we work around this way?
Teddie-D 1,685 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-23T02:10:38.94+00:00

Hi @Huy Nguyen
Thank you for your update.

When you enable "Override Windows Snap shortcut" in FancyZones, it disables the Windows Snap Assist feature that helps you decide what to snap next. This is a known limitation and not currently configurable to allow both behaviors simultaneously.
To preserve both capabilities, we recommend keeping Snap Assist enabled and using Shift + Drag to manually place windows into FancyZones. This avoids overriding the Win + Arrow keys and keeps Snap Assist functional.
If you find this feature useful, we encourage you to share your experience on our Ideas · Community. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps shape future improvements to our products and services.
Thank you for your understanding.

If you found my answer helpful, I'd really appreciate it if you could mark it as the accepted answer.
Teddie-D 1,685 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-25T06:58:26.54+00:00

Hi @Huy Nguyen

How are things progressing?

If you have any further concerns, please feel free to let us know.

I am pleased to support you.
Huy Nguyen 0 Reputation points

2025-06-26T08:01:33.4+00:00

Hi @Teddie-D , well I just live with what it is for now, and hope that Window will include this function in the next update. Appreciate your support and enthusiastic. Have a good day.
Teddie-D 1,685 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-26T23:23:03.6266667+00:00

Hi @Huy Nguyen
Thank you for your response. I'm happy to help.
I wish you a wonderful day.

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Shortcut to swap between 2 opening windows

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