How to Move a Window That’s Off Screen in Windows 11

Select the window’s icon on the taskbar, press Alt + Spacebar, choose Move, then press an arrow key once and move your mouse. The window follows your pointer back onto the screen. Click to drop it. You can also press Windows logo key + Left arrow to snap it to the left side.

Applies to: Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 29, 2026.

Use the Move command

1. Select the program’s icon on the taskbar, or press Alt + Tab until it’s selected.
2. Press Alt + Spacebar. A small menu opens.
3. Select Move, or press M.

4. Press the Left arrow or Right arrow key once. The pointer attaches to the window.
5. Move the mouse (or keep pressing the arrow keys) until the window is back on screen.
6. Click or press Enter to drop it.

Snap it back with the keyboard

1. Select the window on the taskbar.
2. Press Windows logo key + Left arrow or Right arrow. The window snaps to that side of the screen.
3. Press Windows logo key + Up arrow to maximize it.

If you use more than one monitor, Windows logo key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow moves the window to the next screen.

If the window is on a monitor you unplugged

Windows may still think the second screen is there.

1. Press Windows logo key + P.
2. Select PC screen only.

Every window now moves to your main screen. To use two screens again, press Windows logo key + P and choose Extend.

Stop it from happening again

Windows 11 can remember where windows were on each monitor. Go to Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays and turn on:

• Remember window locations based on monitor connection, so windows go back to the right screen when you plug it in again.
• Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected, so they wait on the taskbar instead of hiding off screen.

Once you’ve moved a window back, close the app normally. Many apps save their position when they close and open in the same spot next time.

Other things to try

• Maximize from the taskbar: Hover over the app on the taskbar, right-click the preview and select Maximize.
• Change the display resolution back: If windows moved after you changed resolution, go to Settings > System > Display and choose the Recommended resolution.
• Lower the resolution for a moment: pick a smaller resolution in Display settings, drag the window to the middle when it appears, then switch back to the Recommended resolution.

If none of the shortcuts work

• Alt + Spacebar opens a different app: some tools, such as PowerToys Run or the Copilot app, use that shortcut. Close them, or change their shortcut, and try again.
• The window has no taskbar button: press Alt + Tab and pick it from the list, then use the keyboard steps above.
• It’s a game or full-screen app: look for a display or window mode setting inside the app, or press Alt + Enter to switch between full screen and a window.

Frequently asked questions

How do I set up two monitors properly?

See how to set up multiple monitors in Windows 11.

How do I put two windows side by side?

See how to split the screen on Windows 11.

Do these steps work in Windows 10?

Yes. Alt + Spacebar, Windows logo key + arrow keys, and Windows logo key + P all work the same way in Windows 10.

Why do windows end up off screen?

Most often a second monitor was unplugged, the resolution changed, or you connected through Remote Desktop from a PC with a different screen size. The app remembers a spot that no longer exists on your current screen.

What if I can see just the edge of the window?

Point at the visible edge until the pointer becomes a double arrow, then drag to resize it into view. Or use Alt + Spacebar and Move as described above.

Can I bring every window back at once?

Press Windows logo key + P and select PC screen only. Windows moves all windows to your main screen.

Microsoft’s reference is Snap your windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.