Show Window Contents or Outline While Dragging

Show Window Contents or Outline While Dragging in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to show window contents while dragging or show only window outline while dragging in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

EXAMPLE: Show window outline while dragging

OPTION ONE

Through Visual Effects Settings

NOTE: In Windows 8.1, you must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.
1. Open the Visual Effects settings in Vista/Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1.

2. To Show Window Contents While Dragging
A) Check the Show window contents while dragging box, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

3. To Show Window Outline While Dragging
A) Uncheck the Show window contents while dragging box, and click on OK. (see screenshot above)

OPTION TWO

Using a REG File Download

1. To Show Window Contents While Dragging
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
Show_window_contents_while_dragging.reg

Download


B) Go to step 3.
2. To Show Window Outline While Dragging
A) Click on the download button below to download the file below.
Show_window_outline_while_dragging.reg

Download



3. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.

4. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

5. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve merging the .reg file.

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

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

OPTION THREE

Manually in Registry Editor

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes to allow.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

4. In the right pane, double click/tap on DragFullWindows to modify it. (see screenshot above)

5. To Show Window Contents While Dragging
A) Type in 1, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

B) Go to step 7.
6. To Show Window Outline While Dragging
A) Type in 0 (zero), and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot above)
7. Close regedit.

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

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Change the Visual Effects Settings in Windows 7
• How to Adjust Visual Effects in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a Windows 7 Visual Effects Performance Options Shortcut
• Enable or Disable Drag from Maximized Windows in Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

[Brink]

In that case, see if toggling your original account to a local account, then back to a Microsoft account may make it work properly in it again.

Local Account - Switch to in Windows 8

Microsoft Account - Switch to in Windows 8

 

[Fieromuso]

This is sooo randomic!

Here's what happened:
I followed those two tutorials. It didn't work, the problem was stil there.
So I said myself "let's try to set the other account as a local one and see what happens!"
So I log in that other account (which is still another Microsoft Account) and the problem appeared there before I could do a thing!
I didn't modify anything, and it appeared...
So I did immediatly log out and re-log in on my usual account, and now the problem doesn't show...
It makes no sense to me!
What should I do? Hope that it won't show anymore?

Thank you for your patience anyway!

EDIT:
Uhm so, I plugged in an external HD and it did it again, I had to go to performance settings, it was set on "Custom" and I had to set it again on "Adjust for Best Appearence". I tried to simulate it again (unplugged the HD, replugged it in) but this time it did not trigger the glitch.
I don't know if this can help... (I didn't log out/restart my laptop this time) !

 

[Brink]

Odd glitch there Fieromuso, but glad to hear that you got it narrowed down to be able to stop it.

 

[BuckSkin]

I just want to say thanks for this great tutorial; I have referred to it on a number of occasions.
Here is my most recent episode(s) with the situation:

"Show Window Contents while Dragging" somehow got turned off ???

I will add this: in my Control Panel, instead of "Performance Options", it says "Performance Information and Tools"; I clicked that and there was "Adjust Visual Effects" at the top of the left pane.

Thanks again.