How to Disable Snap layouts on Windows 11

Snap Layouts is a feature introduced in Windows 11 that allows you to easily organize and manage multiple windows on your desktop. It provides a convenient way to snap windows into predefined layouts, making multitasking more efficient. By default, the Maximize button in Windows 11 is configured to enable Snap Layouts. However, if you prefer to disable this feature or customize its behavior, you have the flexibility to do so. In this article, we will guide you through different step-by-step methods to enable or disable Snap Layouts in Windows 11 for the Maximize button.

Method 1: Using Windows Settings App

Step 1: Open the Windows Settings App

• Click on the “Start” button or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
• From the Start menu, click on the gear icon to open the Windows Settings app.
  

Step 2: Access the System Settings

• In the Windows Settings app, click on “System”.
• From the left-hand side menu, select “Multitasking”.
  

Step 3: Customize Snap Layouts Settings

• In the Multitasking settings, you will find the “Snap windows” section.
• To enable Snap Layouts, ensure that the “When I snap a window, show what I can snap next to it” option is turned on.
  
• To disable Snap Layouts, toggle the switch to the off position.
  
• You can also customize other Snap Layouts settings, such as changing the snap behavior for different monitors or adjusting the spacing between snapped windows.

Method 2: Using Registry Editor

Step 1: Open the Run Dialog Box

• Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  
  

Step 2: Open Registry Editor

• Type “regedit” in the Run dialog box and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Step 3: Navigate to the SnapAssist Settings

• In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
  

Step 4: Modify SnapAssist Settings

Note: If the “EnableSnapAssistFlyout” Value does not exist in the Advanced Folder, right-click,  select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value name it EnableSnapAssistFlyout.

• In the right-hand pane, look for the “EnableSnapAssistFlyout” DWORD value.
  
• Double-click on the DWORD value to modify its data.
• Set the value to 0 to disable Snap Layouts or set it to 1 to enable Snap Layouts.
  

By following these step-by-step methods, you can easily enable or disable Snap Layouts in Windows 11 for the Maximize button. Whether you want to embrace the productivity benefits of Snap Layouts or prefer a traditional maximize behavior, Windows 11 provides the flexibility to customize this feature according to your preferences. Experiment with different settings to find the optimal configuration that enhances your multitasking and window management experience on your Windows 11 PC.