FancyZones

Advanced window layout manager with custom zone configurations and snap layouts

Overview

FancyZones is a powerful window manager that allows you to create custom window layouts and quickly snap windows into predefined zones. It’s perfect for organizing multiple applications across one or more monitors with consistent, efficient layouts.

FancyZones can remember where applications were placed and automatically restore them to those zones when reopened.

Activation

1. Enable FancyZones

   Open PowerToys Settings and enable FancyZones

2. Create Layout

   Press Win+Shift+~ to open the layout editor

3. Snap Windows

   Hold Shift while dragging windows to see zone overlays

Key Features

Custom Zone Layouts

Grid Layouts

Divide screen into equal grid cells

2x2, 3x3, or custom dimensions

Template Layouts

Pre-designed layouts for common workflows

Focus, Columns, Rows, Priority Grid

Custom Layouts

Draw your own zone configurations

Pixel-perfect control

Multi-Monitor

Different layouts per monitor

Independent zone configurations

Window Snapping

Multiple methods to snap windows:

Drag with Shift

Primary method:

1. Click and start dragging a window
2. Hold Shift key
3. Zone overlay appears
4. Drag to desired zone
5. Release mouse button

Window snaps to zone

Win + Arrow Keys

Keyboard navigation:

Win+Left  : Snap to left zone
Win+Right : Snap to right zone
Win+Up    : Maximize in current zone
Win+Down  : Restore/minimize

Cycles through zones with repeated presses

Zone Number Shortcuts

Direct zone selection:

While holding Shift during drag:

• Press 1-9 to snap to numbered zone
• Instant placement without hovering

Layout Editor

Create and customize layouts:

// Layout types in FancyZones
enum class ZoneSetLayoutType
{
    Grid,           // Rows × Columns grid
    Columns,        // Vertical columns
    Rows,           // Horizontal rows
    Custom,         // User-defined zones
    Template        // Pre-designed templates
};

Editor features:

• Visual zone editor
• Drag to resize zones
• Snap zones to edges
• Spacing configuration
• Zone count adjustment
• Color preview

Zone Behaviors

Zone Appearance · settings

Customize how zones look:

• Zone colors
• Border thickness
• Opacity levels
• Number display
• Zone highlighting

Snapping Behavior · settings

Control snap mechanics:

• Snap sensitivity
• Show zones on drag
• Move newly created windows to zones
• Restore zone layouts on relaunch

Multi-Monitor · settings

Per-monitor configuration:

• Independent layouts per display
• Move windows between monitors preserves zones
• Span windows across zones

App-Specific Zones

FancyZones remembers window placements:

• Application History: Tracks which app was in which zone
• Auto-Restore: Reopened apps return to their zones
• Virtual Desktop Aware: Different layouts per virtual desktop

Configuration

Settings Location

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\PowerToys\FancyZones\

Layout files stored as JSON configurations.

Core Settings

editor_hotkey · hotkey · default: "Win+Shift+`"

Shortcut to open layout editor

move_newly_created_windows · boolean · default: "false"

Automatically move new windows to zones

move_windows_based_on_position · boolean · default: "false"

Snap windows to nearest zone automatically

override_snap_hotkeys · boolean · default: "false"

Use FancyZones behavior for Win+Arrow keys

zone_border_color · color · default: "#0078D7"

Color of zone borders in hex format

zone_highlight_opacity · number · default: "50"

Opacity percentage for zone highlights (0-100)

excluded_apps · array · default: "[]"

Applications excluded from FancyZones

restore_size · boolean · default: "false"

Restore window original size when moved out of zone

Layout Templates

Built-in templates:

Focus

Large center zone with smaller side panels:

┌────┬────────────┬────┐
│  1 │      2        │  3 │
│    │               │    │
│    │               │    │
│    │    (Focus)    │    │
│    │               │    │
│    │               │    │
└────┴────────────┴────┘

Columns

Vertical column layout:

┌─────┬─────┬─────┐
│     │     │     │
│     │     │     │
│  1  │  2  │  3  │
│     │     │     │
│     │     │     │
└─────┴─────┴─────┘

Priority Grid

Larger primary zone with grid:

┌──────────┬─────┐
│          │  2  │
│          ├─────┤
│    1     │  3  │
│          ├─────┤
│          │  4  │
└──────────┴─────┘

Use Cases

Development Workflows

Code + Documentation

Side-by-side coding layout:

┌────────────┬────────────┐
│   VS Code   │    Browser   │
│   Editor    │     Docs     │
│            │            │
├────────────┴────────────┤
│      Terminal            │
└─────────────────────────┘

Full Stack Development

Multi-pane development setup:

1. Zone 1: Code editor (60% width)
2. Zone 2: Browser DevTools (40% width, top)
3. Zone 3: Terminal (40% width, bottom)

Snap applications once, reopen automatically in zones

Debugging

Debugging layout:

• Large center: Application being debugged
• Left sidebar: Code editor
• Right sidebar: Debug console
• Bottom: Watch variables

Content Creation

1. Video Editing

   Zone 1: Timeline (bottom, full width)

   Zone 2: Preview (top left)

   Zone 3: Effects/Media browser (top right)

2. Graphic Design

   Zone 1: Design canvas (center, large)

   Zone 2: Layers panel (right)

   Zone 3: Color picker/tools (left)

3. Music Production

   Zone 1: DAW timeline (bottom)

   Zone 2: Mixer (right)

   Zone 3: VST plugins (left)

Productivity

Email + Calendar

Split screen for email client and calendar

Quick reference while scheduling

Research

Multiple browser windows in zones

Compare sources side-by-side

Writing

Document editor + research materials

Keep references visible while writing

Communication

Chat apps in dedicated zones

Monitor multiple channels

Multi-Monitor Setups

2 Monitors

Monitor 1 (Primary):

• Zone 1: Main work application (full)

Monitor 2 (Secondary):

• Zone 1: Reference materials (top)
• Zone 2: Communication (bottom)

3+ Monitors

Center Monitor: Primary application (full screen)

Left Monitor: Support tools (split zones)

Right Monitor: Communication/monitoring (split zones)

Vertical Monitor

Portrait orientation zones:

• Top: Documentation
• Middle: Code editor
• Bottom: Terminal

Perfect for reading code/documents

Keyboard Shortcuts

Layout Management

Shortcut	Action
Win+Shift+~	Open layout editor (default)
Win+Left/Right	Snap to zones (when override enabled)

Window Snapping

Shortcut	Action
Shift + Drag	Show zone overlay while dragging
Shift + Drag + 1-9	Snap to specific numbered zone

Editor Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
+ / -	Add/remove zones (grid mode)
Arrow Keys	Adjust zone boundaries
Ctrl+S	Save layout
Esc	Cancel and close editor

Technical Details

Architecture

Zone Storage

Layouts stored as JSON:

{
  "uuid": "{12345678-1234-5678-1234-567812345678}",
  "name": "Custom Layout",
  "type": "custom",
  "zones": [
    {
      "X": 0,
      "Y": 0,
      "width": 960,
      "height": 1080
    },
    {
      "X": 960,
      "Y": 0,
      "width": 960,
      "height": 1080
    }
  ]
}

Window Tracking

// App zone history tracking
class AppZoneHistory
{
    // Maps app paths to their last zone placements
    std::map<std::wstring, ZoneSetId> m_history;
    
    void SaveAppZoneHistory(
        std::wstring appPath,
        HWND window,
        ZoneSetId zoneSet,
        ZoneIndex zone
    );
    
    std::optional<ZoneIndex> GetLastZone(
        std::wstring appPath,
        ZoneSetId zoneSet
    );
};

Source: src/modules/fancyzones/FancyZonesLib/FancyZonesData/AppZoneHistory.cpp

Dragging State

Manages window drag operations:

// Drag state management
class DraggingState
{
    HWND m_draggedWindow;
    bool m_shiftKeyState;
    ZoneSetId m_activeZoneSet;
    std::vector<ZoneIndex> m_highlightedZones;
    
    void UpdateDragPosition(POINT cursorPos);
    void ShowZoneOverlay();
    void SnapToZone(ZoneIndex zone);
};

Source: src/modules/fancyzones/FancyZonesLib/DraggingState.cpp

Troubleshooting

Zone overlay not appearing

Check:

• FancyZones is enabled in PowerToys Settings
• Holding Shift key while dragging
• Window is not in excluded apps list
• Layout is applied to current monitor

Fix:

1. Restart PowerToys
2. Reapply layout in editor
3. Check Windows animation settings

Windows not snapping to zones

Possible causes:

• Application is excluded
• Window is non-standard (e.g., WPF with custom chrome)
• Elevated application (PowerToys not elevated)

Solutions:

1. Remove app from excluded list
2. Run PowerToys as administrator
3. Use standard window dragging (title bar)

Layout lost after display change

When monitors disconnect/reconnect:

1. Open layout editor (Win+Shift+~)
2. Verify correct monitor selected
3. Reapply or recreate layout
4. Save layout

Prevent: Use consistent monitor configurations

Apps not restoring to zones

Check settings:

• “Restore windows to their zone layouts” enabled
• Application launched normally (not as admin if PowerToys isn’t)
• App zone history not cleared

Reset:

1. Clear app history in FancyZones settings
2. Manually snap apps to zones again
3. Close and reopen apps to verify

Command Line Interface

FancyZones includes a CLI for automation and scripting:

Available Commands

Get Information:

# List all monitors
FancyZonesCLI.exe get-monitors

# Get available layouts
FancyZonesCLI.exe get-layouts

# Get active layout for a monitor
FancyZonesCLI.exe get-active-layout --monitor <monitor-id>

# Get current hotkeys
FancyZonesCLI.exe get-hotkeys

Set Configuration:

# Set layout for a monitor
FancyZonesCLI.exe set-layout --monitor <monitor-id> --layout <layout-id>

# Set hotkey
FancyZonesCLI.exe set-hotkey --action <action> --key <key>

# Remove hotkey
FancyZonesCLI.exe remove-hotkey --action <action>

Open UI:

# Open layout editor
FancyZonesCLI.exe open-editor

# Open settings
FancyZonesCLI.exe open-settings

The CLI requires FancyZones to be running. All commands send notifications to the running instance.

See Also

• Always On Top - Keep windows visible
• Crop and Lock - Create custom window views
• PowerToys Run - Quick window switching