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Use Aero Shake—now labeled Title bar window shake in Microsoft’s Windows 11 accessibility guidance—when you want to minimize other windows and focus on one. Use Snap when you want to position multiple apps together so they remain visible. They solve different problems, and you can switch between them as your task changes.
What is the difference between Aero Shake and Snap?
Aero Shake clears the view around the active window: shake its title bar and Windows minimizes the other open windows. Snap does the opposite kind of work: it positions and resizes windows so you can see several apps at once. Microsoft describes Snap as a way to arrange application windows for multitasking (Snap Your Windows; Make it easier to focus on tasks).
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| What you want to do | Use | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Focus on one app and temporarily clear other windows | Title bar window shake (Aero Shake) | Other open windows are minimized while the active window stays available. |
| Keep two or more apps visible together | Snap | Windows are positioned and resized against screen edges or in an available layout. |
| Arrange several windows and choose apps for open spaces | Snap layouts and Snap Assist | Layouts set window positions; Snap Assist offers other open windows to fill remaining spaces. |
| Prefer keyboard controls | Windows key + Home, arrow keys, or Windows key + Z | Home minimizes or restores all windows except the active one; arrows snap a window; Z opens Snap layouts. |
Snap groups can also make a multi-window arrangement easier to return to: Windows can associate snapped windows and let you restore the group from the taskbar, Task View, or Alt+Tab, depending on settings.
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How to turn on and use Title bar window shake
- Open Settings > System > Multitasking.
- Turn on Title bar window shake.
- When you want to clear the surrounding windows, hold the active window’s title bar and shake it. The other open windows minimize.
The current setting name is Microsoft’s term for the behavior commonly called Aero Shake. If you prefer not to make the shake gesture, press Windows key + Home to minimize or restore all windows except the active one, as described in Microsoft’s Windows keyboard-shortcut reference.
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How to use Snap in Windows 11
Snap a window with the mouse
Drag a window to a screen edge or corner to snap it into a position. Dragging toward the top of the screen can reveal the Snap bar, where you can choose an available layout. Layout choices can vary with display size, so the same grid is not guaranteed on every screen.
Use keyboard shortcuts or Snap layouts
- Press Windows key + Left Arrow or Windows key + Right Arrow to snap a window to a side.
- Press Windows key + Z to open Snap layouts, then select a layout.
- After snapping a window, use Snap Assist to choose other open windows for the remaining spaces.
Microsoft documents these options in its Snap instructions and keyboard-shortcut reference.
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Adjust Snap behavior
Go to Settings > System > Multitasking and open the Snap windows options. Microsoft documents controls for Snap itself, suggestions after snapping, the Snap flyout on the maximize button, the top-of-screen Snap bar, and restoring snapped windows through taskbar hover, Task View, or Alt+Tab. Turn on only the options that fit your workflow.
Can you use Aero Shake and Snap together?
Yes. They are alternative actions for different moments, not competing modes. Use Snap while you need multiple apps visible—for example, when comparing information in two windows. When you need to concentrate on one app, use Title bar window shake or Windows key + Home to get the others out of the way. Snap is for arranging; shake is for temporarily clearing.
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Windows 11 terminology and availability
Microsoft’s current accessibility instructions call Aero Shake Title bar window shake. Settings labels or available Snap layouts may differ by device or Windows version; use the labels displayed in your own Settings app if they do. Microsoft’s cited guidance applies to Windows 11, and some pages also cover Windows 10; it does not specify a particular Windows 11 build.
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