Windows 7 - Maximize and Restore Down a Window by Drag and Drop

**Brink**

How to Use Aero Snap to Maximize and Restore Down a Window in Windows 7

Information

This will show you how to use Aero Snap to Maximize and Restore Down a Window by using Drag and Drop in Windows 7.

Tip

Of course you can still double click on the Title Bar, or click on the Maximize/Restore Down button, to maximize or restore down a window.

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS:

Windows Key + Top Arrow Key = This will maximize the current window.
Windows Key + Bottom Arrow Key = This will restore down the maximized window, or minimize a restored down (normal) window to the taskbar. You will have to click on the taskbar button for that minimized window to open it back to the desktop.

Warning

Aero Requirements to be Enabled in Windows 7:

NOTE: If Aero is not enabled, then Aero Snap will not work even when turned on.

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.
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.

RELATED LINKS:

Here's How:

1. To Maximize a Window -
A) Left click and hold on the Title Bar of the window you want to maximize. (See screenshot below)

B) Drag the window to the top edge of the screen and drop (release left click) it. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will notice a border pop-up around the borders of the desktop when you drag the window to the top edge of the screen. This is when you should drop the window.

C) The window is now maximized. (See screenshot below step 2B)

OR

D) Double click on the unmaximized window's title bar to maximize the window.

2. To Restore Down a Window -
A) Left click and hold on the Title Bar of the window you want to restore down. (See screenshot below)
B) Drag the window down to where you like it and drop (release left click) it.

C) The window is now restored down. (See screenshot below step 1A)

OR

D) Double click on the maximized window's title bar from step1 to restore it back to it's default position.

That's it,
Shawn

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**mansrm81** · 11-10-2008

That is cool now I don't have to click on the button anymore. Thanks

**Brink** · 11-10-2008

You're welcome Mansrm81. I do like these new user friendly features that Microsoft has added to Windows 7.

BulletproofSean · 01-09-2009

Is there a way to disable this feature?

I have a lot of RDP windows that I run "Maximized" at lower resolutions like 1152x864. Whenever I drag them around the screen, they restore down, and once I can't really position them the way I want, since I have to maximize them to get them back (dragging the window to full size pops them back into the corner of my display as well).

**Brink** · 01-09-2009

Sorry Sean, none that I know of.

JumboWumbo · 01-10-2009

Woooo thanks Brink. This is an awesome feature.

**Brink** · 01-10-2009

You're welcome JumboWumbo.