While the size of your monitor may have increased, chaos can still reign over your desktop environment. Managing an overflowing multitude of windows can lead to frustration and decreased productivity. Even with expansive displays, it’s simple to misplace or lose track of applications without an effective organization system. I’ve experienced this firsthand; wrestling with window sizes and positions can be a significant drain on your efficiency.
To tackle this issue, I implemented a tiling manager on my Windows machine. These innovative tools automatically arrange your applications into organized, non-overlapping tiles, providing a clear view of your workspace. While tiling managers are commonly utilized in Linux environments, transitioning to one on Windows dramatically transformed my workflow.
The Value of a Tiling Manager
Eliminate Manual Window Management
For those who spend hours at their computers, the struggle is all too familiar. Applications multiply, windows hover over one another, and before long, you’re dedicating more time just to arrange these elements than you are to actual productivity. Windows does provide Snap Layouts, which offer a basic level of organization for your application windows, but this still requires considerable manual adjustment every time a new task is initiated or an application is launched.
With the integration of a tiling manager like FancyWM, every window automatically occupies its designated space. This means when you open two applications, they share the screen equally. As more programs are added, FancyWM dynamically organizes them into a specified layout without any further input from you.
In contrast to Snap Layouts, which restrict you to predetermined configurations, FancyWM adjusts in real-time as you manipulate your apps. You have the option to keep specific applications maximized while others automatically reconfigure to fit the screen. You can easily reposition windows, and the rest will follow suit, ensuring a cohesive workspace.
Customizing App Arrangement
Choose Your Preferred Layout
One of the standout features of FancyWM is its versatility in arranging your applications. You aren’t confined to a single style—whether you like horizontal, vertical, or stacked arrangements, you can customize your workspace precisely to your liking.
To select a layout, simply press Shift + Windows, followed by H for horizontal, V for vertical, or S for stack wrapping. Alternatively, you can hover over any app’s title bar for layout options via a dropdown menu. The first three options allow you to choose between vertical, horizontal, or stacked views. Additional buttons let you elevate a window or allow it to float independently within your workspace.
When multiple applications are open, resizing one will automatically prompt the others to adjust accordingly, preventing overlaps or lost visibility. FancyWM supports mixed layouts, enabling, for example, a chat application to remain in a stacked layout while your browser and productivity apps sit side by side. As you manipulate your windows, an indicator at the top of your screen displays the app positioning, enhancing awareness of your layout.
If keyboard shortcuts are your preference, pressing Windows + Shift provides options to reposition windows horizontally or vertically, adjust widths, or cycle through app focus. For instance, you can temporarily disable the automatic tiling with F11 and the FancyWM activation shortcut, then re-engage by using the same key combination. To allow a window to float free, use the activation hotkey followed by F.
Automate Window Behavior Control
Set Your Own Rules with FancyWM
A particularly remarkable feature of FancyWM is its capability to establish rules for individual applications, allowing you to dictate their behavior consistently. You can program which applications default to certain layouts, which should float independently, and where specific apps should appear on multiple monitors when in use.
For example, you might configure your chat application to consistently display in a small stack on your secondary monitor, while keeping your browser and code editor maximized on the primary screen. To change these settings, access the FancyWM Settings and navigate to the Rules tab.
Tailor FancyWM to Fit Your Style
Personalize Your Experience
FancyWM provides not merely predefined placements but extensive control over application management. You can lock windows to avoid unintentional relocations, designate hotkeys for monitor focus switching, and create exceptions for apps that may not tile effectively. In multi-monitor configurations, FancyWM maintains distinct tiling layouts for each display so every screen can operate independently.
Within the settings, users will find a multitude of customization possibilities. You can modify the spacing between windows to create a spacious feel or minimize it for maximum usage of your screen real estate. If a visual indication of your active app is preferable, you can accentuate the border of your current window to maintain clarity on your workspace.
Furthermore, keyboard shortcuts are entirely remappable. If the presets do not seamlessly integrate into your workflow, you can easily adjust them to fit your preferences.
In essence, FancyWM elevates the basic concept of window organization into a sophisticated and powerful system for optimizing your desktop space. Rather than continually managing app placement through manual adjustments, your workspace effortlessly adapts to your needs. After just a few days of using this tool, it’s easy to question why such functionality isn’t already integrated into Windows.
Leave a Reply