Get the Linux Alt+Window Drag Functionality in Windows
One of my favorite features from Linux is the Alt + Window drag that allows you to move any window by holding down the Alt key and then just left-click dragging the window anywhere you’d like.
I set about to duplicate this functionality in Windows using my favorite automation tool, AutoHotkey. A short amount of browsing time later and I’d come up with a workable solution modified from this script.
An animation would work better here, but you can see that the mouse pointer is in the middle of the window:
By holding down the Alt key and dragging, I can move the window without having to click on the title bar:
Once you get used to this, you’ll never want to go back, and because it’s an AutoHotkey script I can bundle it together with all my other enhancements, such as assigning hotkeys to windows or the Hide Others script.
I’ve bundled a download together with the autohotkey script that you can use if you already have AutoHotkey installed, and also an executable file that you can use on any computer.
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Not really a computer issue just a stupid question.
How can I run more than one script without having my system-tray full of hotscript icons?
I also tried to put all the scripts in one file but only the first script in that file will work.
Awesome script!! Thanks! I added a “Send {alt}” after the button is released so focus doesn’t stay on the menu bar. I love it. Keep the AutoHotKey scripts coming.
Dude, you rock. I love that feature from X-Window managers, I’ve used it for years together with other neat customisations. Once I spent entirely too much time customising my fvwm manager. I have been able to get this functionality on my Mac (with various extensions), and it’s just super awesome to have it so easily with Windows Vista too. Cheers, Jon Dell’Oro
Very nice. I like it. However, I would like to see it embedded into the OS via the registry so there isnt any icon in the system tray.
Other than that, I like it.
Another great script that showcases the power and versatility of AutoHotkey, but this particular modification interferes with the function of Alt key in some Windows applications and renders it useless (for instance, setting the right loop locator in Propellerhead’s Reason). My workaround for this problem is to assign this script’s keystroke to left Win key by changing the line “Alt & LButton::” to “LWin & LButton::”.
Bojan,
I noticed it was interfering with Photoshop for me… so I made the same change you did. =)
is something like this possible in winXP?
Oh my god, this is EXACTLY what I was looking for! (And I was only looking for 2 minutes and I found this page.) Been using Autohotkey for years, but there’s so few good sites with sample scripts around. So again, thanks!
PS: to starpause: Yes, you can use right this script in XP – I just had to update my Autohotkey to the latest version. Alternatively, the .exe file in the zip archive runs on XP anyway.
PPS: I just remapped “Alt & LButton::” to “~LButton & RButton::” so now you have to click left + right to move the window. Handy if you wanna use only one hand
If you have performance problems, see also this standalone program linked from the virtuawin homepage
http://virtuawin.sourceforge.n.....in32wm.zip
YES! You are awesome; this is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
brilliant
Thanks, eeePC701 uesrs love you!
As a long time Linux user, I am shocked at the critical features I use all the time in Linux that are simnply missing in Windows… as if MS never thought of this? Not being able to move windows except when you can grab the title bar is absurd. Especially the windows that open with the bar underneath your task bar…
I know it’s not related, but I really want that desktop wallpaper, anyone know where I can get it?
Hey, how can I put a window on top of all the others while dragging? I tend to move the window I drag behind another window which has a higher ‘z-index’
Maybe the window should be raised using the same script. if i’m not very much mistaken windows window-manager should be able to do that.
Just FYI: I don’t know if this is a bug in the script, AHK, or Synergy, but this doesn’t work with Synergy on Vista. Vista is the client; the Synergy server is on Ubuntu. Using a directly connected mouse, the moving works; using a cursor controlled by Synergy, it doesn’t.
I just want to tell everyone that I have made a native windows program that does exactly this.
Check it out at: http://code.google.com/p/altdrag/
Thanks!
I just wanted to say, thank you for this!! I was having a horrible problem with some windows opening almost completely off-screen and I couldn’t move them at all. This let me fix everything! Thank you!
Cool. Has anyone written ALT+Middle Mouse for resizing windows like ubuntu has?
There’s a few programs that do that, check out the programs listed here: http://code.google.com/p/altdr.....erPrograms
My program, AltDrag, will have the resizing feature in the next version.
Very nice! Now if I can just figure out how to do edge resistance in Vista, I’ll be in good shape.
Thanks!
I love you !!
ALT+SPACE+M then use the mouse keys to move the window.
…arrow keys, sorry.