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Does anyone know of a tool or plugin for Windows XP that allows me to "dock" a window on one half of the screen, as if that half were an entirely separate display? Ideally, I'd like to be able to drag a window to the left, maximize it, and have it fill up the entire left half of the screen.
Has anyone ever seen or heard of anything like this?
There is an AeroSnap application that brings Windows 7's AeroSnap feature to Windows XP and Vista.
Give GridMove a try - it's free.
GridMove helps you by defining a visual grid on your desktop, to which you can easily snap windows. This means you can separate sections of your desktop into specific areas. GridMove allows you to move windows, re-size them, displaying them in a cascade or mosaic or making them stay permanently on top simply by dragging and dropping.
If you install AutoHotkey (free), you can download and install Windows 7 Shortcuts on XP (also free).
Included:
Win+Left/Right arrows: Dock the window to each side of the monitor
Win+Up arrow: Maximize the active window
Win+Down arrow: Minimize the window/Restore the window if it's maximized
Win+Space: All windows are made transparent so you can see the desktop
Win+Home: Minimize all windows but the current window
PowerResizer described here:
PowerResizer is a free program that brings the window resizing/docking function popularized by Windows 7 to all Windows platforms. It is unique in that once two windows are docked PowerResizer will let you grab ahold of any one of the edges in the ”border” are between the two Windows and drag it to resize both windows simultaneously, in case you wanted one of them to take up a larger area than the other. A really nifty feature. Additionally, you can perform all sorts of resizing behaviors using a combination of resizing and hotkeys.
Another useful utility is AllSnap:
This program will make windows that you might move around your desktop ’snap together’ (as, for example, they do with WinAmp), or snap to desktop. You can set the threshold in pixels in the settings, and once your window is within the range you define the snapping-to-grid will take effect. It can also prevent any Windows from going off the screen. You can press the Alt key (user definable) in order to suspend the snapping action and move windows normally.
I'm using Actual Window Manager for my 'window arrangement' needs.
It has multiple monitor support (including taskbar and start button), multiple virtual desktops, customize settings for each and every window to your liking ... a fantastic piece of software (unfortunately, it isn't free).
For a more basic (and free) variant, have a look at Eusing's Auto Window Manager.
I love Winsplit Revolution. It features keyboard shortcuts, multi-monitor support and more. I haven't looked back since I installed it.
I personally use the keyboard shortcuts to move my windows.
Ctrl+Alt+W to maximize
Ctrl+Alt+Q/R for left/right side of the screen
Ctrl+Alt+LeftArrow/RightArrow to move between monitors
