Windows 11 Window Management: Everything You Should Know

What is Windows 11 window management?

Windows 11 window management is used to deal with task windows in the workplace. It allows for closing, resizing, and arranging of multiple simultaneously opened windows. It's supported by Desktop Window Manager (DWM.exe) which is responsible for rendering the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of Windows. With it, the operating system is enabled to use visual effects in Windows: transparent windows, live taskbar thumbnails, Flip3D, and even high-resolution monitor support.

When you open Task Manager in Windows 11, you will notice the Desktop Window Manager under the "Processes" tab.

How to manage Windows 11 multitasking window?

As the newest operating system, Windows 11 has provided several window management schemes: a single document interface, a multiple-document interface, workbooks, and projects. Among all of them, a new multitasking window interface is the most attractive, enabling users to open multiple windows more easily. Meanwhile, it allows users to operate various windows on the same screen, making it more efficient in work.

However, some users may don't know how to use Windows 11 multitasking windows. Don't worry, let's have a look in the following contents:

Step 1. Open any interface, navigate to the "Maximum" icon on the right-top of the interface, and the multitasking windows will show automatically.

If not, press "Win + Z" at the same time to call out the multitasking windows.

Step 2. Choose a layout and click one of the windows. Then, all the available windows will pop out on the right, select one you want to work with together.

Windows 11 window management shortcuts

In addition to the convenience brought by multitasking windows, Windows 11 also continues to use and add shortcuts keys to improve work efficiency and productivity. The below contents will show you how powerfully Windows 11 window management shortcuts work.

✍ Note: This part only focuses on the most common and important keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11. If you want to know more, the could go to the official website to get more information.

► Part 1. General keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11

Ctrl + A: Select all items.

Ctrl + C: Copy the selected item.

Ctrl + X: Cut the selected item.

Ctrl + V: Paste the copied item.

Ctrl + Z: Undo changes.

Ctrl + Y: Redo changes.

Ctrl + S: Save the file or folder.

Shift + Delete: Delete the selected item permanently.

Ctrl + Delete: Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.

► Part 2. Keyboard shortcuts for multitasking in window management

When you have multiple applications or programs open at the same time, using keyboard shortcuts is a much more effective way to manage them than using a mouse. You can spend less time switching from one to the other or snapping them side by side. Here are the different ways you can use to manage your opened apps with shortcuts keys.

Alt + Tab: Switch to your last active window.

Alt + Esc: Cycle through windows in the order in which they were opened.

Alt + F4: Close the active window or app. If used on the desktop, this opens the Windows power menu.

Win + Z: Open Snap layout/templates. Use the arrow key to select a snap template.

Win + Up Arrow: Snap active window to the top half of your display.

Win +: Down Arrow: Snap active window to the bottom half.

Win + Left/Right Arrow: Snap active window to left/right half.

► Part 3. Task Manager Shortcuts in Windows 11

As we mentioned above, you can see a desktop window manager in Task Manager, which is an operating system component viewing each of the tasks (processes) and the overall performance of the computer. How to open task manager Windows 11? You can try these steps:

Using search: Click on the search icon on the taskbar, type "task manager" and hit the "Enter" key to open it.

Using Start menu: On the taskbar, right-click on the "Start" button and choose "Task Manager" in the extended menu.

Using the Hotkey: Press "Ctrl +Shift +Esc" simultaneously to open Task Manager.

Using a Keyboard Shortcut: Press the "Windows logo + X" key at the same time to open the "Win +X" menu, and then hit the "T" key to launch Task Manager.

Using Run Command: Press "Windows + R" to launch "Run", then type "taskmgr" or "taskmgr.exe" and then "Enter" to open it.

From this part, we can see Windows 11 window management is so versatile that it can help users handle tasks more conveniently and effectively. Are you attracted by it and planning to upgrade to Windows 11 from the current system?

How to fix Windows 11 window management stopped working?

Since computer is dynamic, it's not strange to find Desktop Window Manager stopped working and was closed. If something is wrong with this process, it will effect the comfortable operation of the computer. Thus, don't hesitate to fix it as soon as possible. Keep reading to find three reliable workarounds.

♦ Way 1. Restarting Windows Explorer from Task Manager

Step 1. Right-click the Start Menu icon from the taskbar and open "Task Manager".

Step 2. Search for "Windows Explorer" and right-click it.

Step 3. Then click on the "Restart" option.

♦ Way 2. Run CHKDSK in Command Prompt

The "Windows 11 window management stopped working" issue may be caused by bad sectors in your hard disks. Thus, you can run CHKDSK in Command Prompt to try solving this problem and keep Desktop Window Manager working properly.

Step 1. Press "Win + R" to open the Run box and input "cmd" to open Command Prompt.

Step 2. Type "CHKDSK [drive letter]: /f /r /x", and hit "Enter" to execute the command. Then, it will automatically check and fix the errors.

♦ Way 3. Extend C drive with a professional tool

If the above methods don't work, you could try extending your system drive. This is because your computer can't run smoothly if C drive is almost full. There is no suitable space for DWM. Exe to open, it’s certainly not working or responding. But what you should pay more attention to is that any improper operations to C drive will cause irreversible consequences. Therefore, resorting to reliable and professional software should be your best choice.

Here I highly recommend you use AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. It enjoys a good reputation for its high-quality functions and various features. For extending C drive, you can experience three different ways to make it:

Notes:✎...

Resize partition: If there is unallocated space right behind C drive, this is the simplest way to increase the size of C drive.

Merge partition: If there is no unallocated space adjacent to C drive, you can choose this way to merge it into C drive.

Allocate free space: This method is not restricted by unallocated space. Only there is free space on any partition, you can allocate it to C drive.

Download the Demo version and see how to enlarge the C drive with the "Allocate free space" feature.

Step 1. Open the AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click the partition that has enough space, and choose "Allocate Free Space".

Step 2. Here you can set the allocated size as you wish to C drive, and click "OK".

Step 3. Click the "Apply" in the main interface to start allocating free space to C drive.

If your PC system is Windows Server, you could download AOMEI Partition Assistant Server Edition.

Conclusion

In this passage, we have presented the meaning of Windows 11 window management and how to use it. Most importantly, we have shown you how to fix Desktop Window Manager stopped working issue, hope the methods recommended above work for you. If you think this passage is useful, you can also share it to other users who might have the same confusion.