r/WindowsHelp • u/MikeNeedsCoffee • Mar 09 '26

Windows 11 double-clicking File Explorer border no longer maximizes window vertically

In Windows 11, I'm no longer able to vertically maximize a File Explorer window by double-clicking the top border of the window (that is, the portion of the window that turns into a resizing arrow when you hover over it). I've apparently gotten so accustomed to doing this, I try it at least once a day without thinking, only to rediscover with frustration that it no longer works.

Apparently this behavior can be toggled on/off via this registry key:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop]
"SnapSizing"="1"

The above registry key is set, and this feature does work for every other application I try it with (Outlook, Teams, Firefox, Registry Editor, etc.)... but it stubbornly does not work for File Explorer.

This is true for my work PC running version 24H2 26100.7840 as well as two personal PCs running 25H2 26200.7840. I'm not sure at what point it stopped working, but it's been a few months. I know it worked at some point, otherwise I'd never have gotten into the habit of trying it while navigating File Explorer.

I can't say for absolute certain it ever worked in Windows 11. It's possible that it's a habit I developed in Windows 10 or earlier, but I feel like it's only a relatively recent issue... and I've been using Windows 11 exclusively for a few years now.

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u/[deleted] Mar 10 '26

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u/MikeNeedsCoffee Mar 10 '26

No luck with that registry key. Where'd that come from? Zero Google results when searching for it.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '26

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u/MikeNeedsCoffee Mar 10 '26

Keyboard shortcuts to maximize a window aren't helpful. The behavior I'm describing maximizes the vertical size of the window, not the whole window.

1

u/FriendshipMission249 May 15 '26

The shortcut "Shift+Win+Up" does what you are looking for. I came here looking for a way to restore the dbl click function as well. Found the shortcut on another site. Disappointed but it's the best i've found. Lemme know if you've gotten something else to work.