How to disable Windows Snap with mouse drag on Windows 10
Windows Snap is a fairly old, and exceptionally popular feature on Windows dating as far back as Vista. Mac users often look for apps that can bring something similar to their desktop even if they’ve never used a Windows machine. Windows Snap works in two ways; you can drag a window to a side of your screen, and it will snap to it or maximize. You can also use the Windows key with the arrow keys to snap windows and maximize them. For some users, Windows Snap is useful when used with a keyboard shortcut but annoying when it activates with mouse drag. If you’d like to disable Windows Snap with mouse drag, but still be able to use it with keyboard shortcuts, you’re going to have to edit the Windows Registry.
Disable Windows Snap with mouse drag
Tap the Win+R keyboard shortcut to open the run box. In the run box, enter the following and tap Enter. Since we’re editing the registry, you’re going to need admin rights for it.
regedit
Once the registry editor is open, go to the following location.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Look for the following key, and double click it. Set its value to 0. Sign out, and then sign back into your system.
DockMoving
That will do the trick. When you’re back on your desktop, dragging windows to either side of the screen will not snap them to that side. Dragging a window to the top of the screen will not maximize it. To snap windows with keyboard shortcuts, use the following.
Win+Left Arrow key: Snap active window to the left
Win+Right Arrow key: Snap active window to the right
To maximize a window, use the following keyboard shortcut.
Win+Up Arrow key
To minimize the currently active window, use the following keyboard shortcut.
Win+Down Arrow key
You can also use a series of these keys to snap windows. For example, use the Win+Left Arrow key to snap a window to the left but do not release the Win key. While you’re still holding the key down, tap the down arrow key and the window will snap to the bottom left quarter of the screen. If you still do not release the Win key and tap the Up Arrow key, the same window will snap to the top left quarter of the screen. Go ahead and explore these shortcuts and you’ll find, like many other people, that snapping is far better with keyboard shortcuts, especially if you have a multi-monitor setup.
Thanks for the tip! This has prevented Windows 10 from snapping windows to the edge of the screen when I drag them between my dual-monitors, but the cursor still “catches” between the screens as though Windows Snap was about to snap the window to the left or right edge. Any other changes that will prevent the cursor from catching?
Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for!