How to make Windows 11 remember window size after closing?

Question

How to make Windows 11 remember window size after closing?

Camden 40

On Windows 10, when I would resize an application or explorer window, then close it, Windows would remember the size of the window the next time I opened it. This no longer happens in Windows 11. Someone online said that holding Control while closing a window would fix this and force the window to remember it's size, but this is not true. Why does Windows 11 not remember my window size? How do I get it to?

As an aside, it is extremely frustrating that this question has already been asked, but Microsoft decided to wipe their Q&A page, so I'm forced to re-ask a question that already had an answer.

Ruth Isaac 0 Reputation points

2025-12-15T00:18:38.4666667+00:00

Step 1: I use a browser extension-don't want to remove it.

Step 2: The Snap worked for me about 5 upgrades ago, after one of the "improvement upgrades" it became intrusive when I was working with multiple windows, so I cancelled the snap option. I should try it again........maybe it might be definition of insanity-expecting MS to have corrected the problem.

Step 3: Didn't work.

Step 4: Didn't work.
Clary-N 16,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-16T09:09:33.3733333+00:00

Hi Ruth Isaac,

Thanks for sharing the details. Since the previous steps didn’t resolve the issue, the next best recommendation is to perform an in-place upgrade (repair upgrade) of Windows 11. This process reinstalls Windows while keeping your apps, files, and settings intact, and it can fix deeper system-level issues responsible for window state not being saved.

*Disclaimer: Let’s try performing an in-place install or in-place upgrade which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. Once you are done backing up, you can follow the steps in the following guides: How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A

Please also scroll to the bottom of the original support thread and select "I have the same question". This ensures you’ll automatically receive notifications for any new answers or updates posted there.

Please keep me posted on how it goes. I'm here to help.
Clary-N 16,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-17T08:43:57.5333333+00:00

Hi Ruth Isaac,

Is there any update from you? If yes, please feel free to let me know.

Answer accepted by question author

Clary-N 16,025 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Camden,

Thank you for reaching out Microsoft Answers. I understand how frustrating it can be when Windows 11 doesn’t retain window sizes after closing. This issue may be caused by changes in how Windows 11 manages window states, particularly with Snap Layouts, user profile settings, or third-party software interference.

To help resolve this, please try the following steps:

Step 1: Registry Tweak (Disable Browser Extensions in Internet Explorer)

This tweak disables browser extensions in Internet Explorer, which may help isolate system-level behaviors affecting window management.

Registry Path:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

*Action:

Locate the value named Enable Browser Extensions.
Change its value from Yes to No.
Restart your PC to apply the change.
This disables Internet Explorer extensions, which can sometimes interfere with shell behavior or legacy window handling.

Step 2: Snap-Assisted Closure (Recommended for Most Apps)

This method helps Windows remember window size and position more reliably:

Resize the window manually to your preferred size.
Drag the window to any screen edge until the Snap highlight appears.
Release the window to snap it, then close it while snapped.

When reopened, the app will often retain the snapped size and position.

Step 3: Reset File Explorer Folder Views

If File Explorer continues to forget window sizes:

Open File Explorer Options (search for it in Start).
Go to the View tab.
Click Reset Folders to clear saved view settings.
Then click Apply to Folders to save your preferred layout.

This resets folder view memory and applies your current layout as the default.

Step 4: Test with a New User Profile

This helps determine if the issue is specific to your current Windows profile.

Open Settings > Accounts > Other users.
Click Add account to create a new local user.
Log in with the new account and test window behavior.

If the issue does not occur in the new profile, it may be related to user-specific settings or corruption.

For more detailed instructions, please refer to the official Microsoft support page at: How to create a Local account in Windows 11 - ARTICLE - Microsoft Q&A

Please let me know the results after trying these steps. If the issue persists, I’ll be happy to assist you further.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Warm regards,

Clary | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist

Clary-N 16,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-06T06:33:44.5466667+00:00

Hi Camden,

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue. Have you had a chance to check the replies provided? Any update would be appreciated.

If the issue has been resolved, please mark the helpful replies as answers. This helps others in the community facing similar problems. Thanks for your understanding.

Warm regards,

Clary | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist
Camden 40 Reputation points

2025-08-06T23:49:09.9133333+00:00

No, none of these changed anything.
Camden 40 Reputation points

2025-08-06T23:53:12.7366667+00:00

Forgive me, I changed the wrong value in RegEdit - that was what fixed it. Thank you!
Clary-N 16,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-07T02:42:46.28+00:00

Hi Camden,

No problem at all. I'm really glad we got it sorted!

Let me know if anything else comes up. I'm here to help.

Have a great day!

Warm regards,

Clary | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist

4 additional answers

Your answer

Ruth Isaac 0 Reputation points

2025-12-15T00:18:38.4666667+00:00

Step 1: I use a browser extension-don't want to remove it.

Step 2: The Snap worked for me about 5 upgrades ago, after one of the "improvement upgrades" it became intrusive when I was working with multiple windows, so I cancelled the snap option. I should try it again........maybe it might be definition of insanity-expecting MS to have corrected the problem.

Step 3: Didn't work.

Step 4: Didn't work.
Clary-N 16,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-16T09:09:33.3733333+00:00

Hi Ruth Isaac,

Thanks for sharing the details. Since the previous steps didn’t resolve the issue, the next best recommendation is to perform an in-place upgrade (repair upgrade) of Windows 11. This process reinstalls Windows while keeping your apps, files, and settings intact, and it can fix deeper system-level issues responsible for window state not being saved.

*Disclaimer: Let’s try performing an in-place install or in-place upgrade which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. Once you are done backing up, you can follow the steps in the following guides: How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A

Please also scroll to the bottom of the original support thread and select "I have the same question". This ensures you’ll automatically receive notifications for any new answers or updates posted there.

Please keep me posted on how it goes. I'm here to help.
Clary-N 16,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-17T08:43:57.5333333+00:00

Hi Ruth Isaac,

Is there any update from you? If yes, please feel free to let me know.
Clary-N 16,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-06T06:33:44.5466667+00:00

Hi Camden,

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue. Have you had a chance to check the replies provided? Any update would be appreciated.

If the issue has been resolved, please mark the helpful replies as answers. This helps others in the community facing similar problems. Thanks for your understanding.

Warm regards,

Clary | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist
Camden 40 Reputation points

2025-08-06T23:49:09.9133333+00:00

No, none of these changed anything.
Camden 40 Reputation points

2025-08-06T23:53:12.7366667+00:00

Forgive me, I changed the wrong value in RegEdit - that was what fixed it. Thank you!
Clary-N 16,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-07T02:42:46.28+00:00

Hi Camden,

No problem at all. I'm really glad we got it sorted!

Let me know if anything else comes up. I'm here to help.

Have a great day!

Warm regards,

Clary | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist

Answer 1

I have been struggling with this problem too.

The "System>Multi-tasking>Snap windows" feature interferes with whether or not the window size & position can be saved by holding Ctrl whilst closing a window.

It seems that if the window has adopted a "snapped" position, then the "Ctrl-close window" manoeuvre doesn't save this window position.

If however the window is in a "non-snapped" size / position, then the "Ctrl-close window" manoeuvre does work to retain the window size & position upon subsequent window opening (although I'm sure there will be some deviation from this with different program windows).

A "snapped" window can still appear non-maximised, but it has angular corners. A "non-snapped" window will have rounded corners. Thus the "Ctrl-close window" manoeuvre only works upon windows with rounded corners.

To save the desired window position, it is helpful to temporarily turn off the "System>Multi-tasking>Snap windows" feature, so that windows can be re-positioned & re-sized without invoking a "snapped" position due to proximity to the screen edge.

Once you have saved the desired position for all your regular apps, the "System>Multi-tasking>Snap windows" feature can be turned back on & irrespective of whether you then use this snap feature, your saved window size & position should be retained upon re-opening.

I hope this is helpful to others.

Answer 2

Ben 5

Hey,

Signed up just to confirm I've figured this out.

Holding Control and clicking the X (close) button DOES work, but only if the window isn't snapped to full/half screen. Manually manipulate the window size first, then try the Ctrl + Close. It's not perfect, but better than the reply email window opening the size of a postage stamp every time.

Cheers

Clary-N 16,025 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-01T05:22:38.62+00:00

Hi Ben,

Thanks for sharing this, really helpful insight.

This should definitely help others running into the same behavior.

Answer 3

Les Ferch 10,361 Volunteer Moderator

Windows remembers Explorer's window size and position by default. This feature has not been removed from Windows 11. However, some users encounter a problem on Windows 11 where that feature is broken. A common cause for the issue is a 3rd party app called "Smart Backup (x64)" which is frequently installed on computers that have a Gigabyte motherboard. Go to "Programs and Features" and uninstall that program and then sign out and in (or restart). Explorer should now remember its window size and position.

0 comments

Answer 4

Andrew Majewski 35

Why did Microsoft disable the remember Last Window size option in the first place? It just creates more things we have to do to access a long proven useful feature. There is, I'm afraid, a readily observable pattern within these so called upgrades that keeps users on the run. And the quality control process prior to rollout is dubious.. I mean seriously.. Why do we have to now mess around in Command Prompt to get to do what we were all happy doing for years?

jls 15 Reputation points

2025-11-04T15:36:23.8933333+00:00

I wholeheartedly agree with Andrew. It seems that the software engineers are NOT using their own products. As users, we are constantly having to learn new ways of operating, which causes a slowdown of work and reduced efficiency and output. You consistently cause me to regret being a PC user and give me reason after reason to completely abandon Microsoft and move to Apple. Please stop causing more problems with your supposed "upgrades" that only confuse and frustrate your customers.