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Windows 7: Aero Snap - Turn On or Off


Aero Snap - Turn On or Off

How to Turn Aero Snap and Aero Shake On or Off in Windows 7
Published 28 Jan 2009
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How to Turn Aero Snap and Aero Shake On or Off in Windows 7


information   Information
This will show you how to turn Aero Snap and Aero Shake feature on or off in Windows 7.
  • Dragging a window by the title bar to the left and right edge of the screen will fill that half the screen with that window when the mouse pointer reaches the edge of the screen. Dragging the window down a bit will restore the window back to how it was before.
  • Placing the mouse pointer on the top or bottom border of a window until the mouse pointer turns into an up-down double arrow and left click and hold, then drag the top or bottom window border to the top or bottom edge of the screen. This will fill the top and bottom of the screen within the left and right borders of the window. Dragging the window down a bit, or double clicking in the window's title bar, will restore the window back to how it was before.
  • Dragging a window by the title bar to the top edge of the screen will maximize the window to fill the desktop when the mouse pointer reaches the top edge of the screen. Dragging the window down a bit, or double clicking in the window's title bar, will restore the window back to how it was before.
Note   Note
Aero Snap is turned on by default in Windows 7 if your system meets the Aero requirements below.
warning   Warning
Aero Requirements to be Enabled in Windows 7
NOTE: While Aero Snap works in all available themes in Windows 7, if your system does need to meet the requirements for Aero for Aero Snap to be supported, then Aero Snap will not work even when turned on.
  • Aero is not included in Windows 7 Home Basic or Windows 7 Starter editions.
  • 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
  • 1 GB of system memory
  • A graphics card with support for DirectX 9 graphics with at least 128 MB of memory.
  • The graphics card must support Pixel Shader 2.0 and the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM).
  • The computer display color depth must be set to 32 bits per pixel.
  • Desktop composition needs to be enabled (checked) in Visual Effects.
  • The Desktop Window Manager Session Manager and Themes Services need to be set as Started and Automatic.
  • Refresh or update your WEI score. You will need an WEI score minimum of 2.0 in both Graphics & Gaming graphics in order for Aero to be activated.

EXAMPLE: Aero Snap to Fill a Screen Side with a Window
Aero Snap - Turn On or Off-drag-left.jpgName:  Left-Side.jpg
Views: 63941
Size:  15.6 KB
EXAMPLE: Aero Snap to Maximize a Window
Aero Snap - Turn On or Off-drag_to_top.jpgAero Snap - Turn On or Off-maximized.jpg



OPTION ONE
Through the Ease Of Access Center
1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and click on the Ease of Access Center icon.

2. Click on either the Make the mouse easier to use, Make the Keyboard Easier To Use, or Make it easier to focus on tasks link. (See screenshot below)
Aero Snap - Turn On or Off-ease_of_access_center.jpg
3. To Turn On Aero Snap and Aero Shake
A) Uncheck the Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edged of the screen box. (See screenshots below step 5)

B) Go to step 5.
4. To Turn Off Aero Snap and Aero Shake
A) Check the Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edged of the screen box. (See screenshots below step 5)
5. Click on OK. (See screenshots below)
Aero Snap - Turn On or Off-make_mouse_easier_to_use.jpgAero Snap - Turn On or Off-make_keyboard_easier_to_use.2jpg.jpgAero Snap - Turn On or Off-make_easier_focus_tasks2.jpg
6. Close the Ease of Access Center window. (See screenshot below step 2)




OPTION TWO
Using a REG File Download
1. To Enable Aero Snap and Aero Shake
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enabled_Aero_Snap.reg
download
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Disable Aero Snap and Aero Shake
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disabled_Aero_Snap.reg
download
3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.






OPTION THREE
Manually in Registry Editor
1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search boxand press Enter. (See screenshot below)
Aero Snap - Turn On or Off-search_box.jpg
2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

3. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Aero Snap - Turn On or Off-reg.jpg
4. In the right pane, right click on WindowArrangementActive and click on Modify. (See screenshot above)

5. To Enable Aero Snap and Aero Shake
A) Type in 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 6A)

B) Go to step 7.
6. To Disable Aero Snap and Aero Shake
A) Type in 0 (number) and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
Aero Snap - Turn On or Off-modify.jpg
7. Close regedit.

8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer.
That's it,
Shawn





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Loading
28 Jan 2009   #1
Airbot

Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
 
 

That's where it is, I was looking for the location to turn it off if ever needed. I actually set SnapSizing in the registry to 0 thinking it might disable it. It didn't and suddenly my Action Center went off saying my AV and Windows Defender were disabled/not installed. LMAO



Thanks Shawn!


Last edited by Airbot; 17 Mar 2009 at 12:46 PM..
My System SpecsSystem Spec

28 Jan 2009   #2
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
Texas
 
 

You're welcome Aaron.

LOL, I would of loved to have seen your face when that happened.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
28 Jan 2009   #3
Airbot

Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
 
 

Probably turned red, LOL.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.


28 Jan 2009   #4
sevsman

Vista X64 ultimate/ 7 X64 Ultimate (7264)
UK
 
 

Fantastic thread!!! I actually uninstalled an earlier version of 7 a few times because this feature dissabled its self.

And i love it
My System SpecsSystem Spec
28 Jan 2009   #5
Airbot

Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
 
 

Shawn, this setting ( Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edged of the screen) is actually in the "Make the Keyboard easier to use" and the "Make it easier to focus on tasks" sections as well.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
28 Jan 2009   #6
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
Texas
 
 

Aaron,

Added.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
29 Jan 2009   #7
Everlong

Windows 7 Professional x64 Service Pack 1
Morecambe, Lancashire, England
 
 

Thanks, Brink
My System SpecsSystem Spec
29 Jan 2009   #8
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
Texas
 
 

You're welcome Everlong.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12 Feb 2009   #9
and1and1and1

windows 7
 
 
the little off-top

Just one question about additional taskbar panel on the top of the screenshots, is it standart Windows 7 feature or 3rd party app? If so, what is?
Thanks,
Andriy
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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