Moving Your Windowed-Borderless Game – Taming the Borderless Beast

Table of Contents

Introduction:

The beauty of borderless windowed gaming lies in its immersive visuals and easy access to other applications. But what if you want to reposition the game window to a specific location on your screen?

Unlike traditional windowed mode, where you can drag the title bar, borderless windows lack this functionality. Fear not, fellow gamer! This guide equips you with the knowledge and techniques to Moving Your window-borderless game with ease.

We’ll explore various methods applicable to different operating systems and delve into some helpful keyboard shortcuts you might not be aware of.

Get ready to conquer the confines of Moving Your Windowed-Borderless Game and unlock the full potential of borderless windowed gaming!

Moving Your Windowed-Borderless Game – Understanding the Limitations:

Before diving into solutions, let’s acknowledge the obstacle: borderless windowed mode removes the title bar, the usual handle for window movement.

Clicking and dragging on the game window itself might minimize it entirely or have no effect, depending on the game.

A. The Solutions Arsenal:

Here are your weapons of choice to conquer those pesky borderless windows:

1. Embrace the Keyboard Shortcuts:

Windows offers a treasure trove of keyboard shortcuts that can be surprisingly effective for window management. Here are your secret weapons:

Alt + Space + Arrow Keys: This golden combination brings up the window menu for the active window (even borderless ones!). Press Alt + Space, then use the arrow keys to move the window up, down, left, or right.
Windows Key + Arrow Keys: Snap your window to specific screen locations. Use the Windows key in combination with the Left or Right arrow key to snap the window to half the screen on the respective side. The Up arrow key maximizes the window, while the Shift + Up arrow minimizes it.

2. Third-Party Apps to the Rescue:

Several third-party applications can add functionality for managing borderless windows. Here are a couple of popular options:

Windowed Borderless Gaming: This free tool from Steam allows you to force specific games to run in borderless window mode and provides additional features like window resizing and hotkey customization.
Move Mouse Without Borders: While not specifically designed for borderless windows, this free utility allows you to move your mouse cursor seamlessly across multiple monitors. By moving your mouse to the edge of the screen, the window can “jump” to the other monitor, effectively repositioning it.

3. Explore In-Game Options (if available):

Some games, particularly newer titles, might offer built-in settings for window positioning or movement within borderless windowed mode. Check your game’s graphics or display settings to see if such options exist.

Choosing Your Weapon:

The best method for you depends on your personal preference and comfort level. Keyboard shortcuts offer a quick and versatile solution, while third-party apps provide more advanced features. Experiment and see what works best for your gaming setup and workflow.

Remember: While these techniques provide workarounds, some games might still have compatibility issues with borderless windowed mode.

Embrace the Flexibility:

With these tools in your arsenal, you can finally conquer the challenge of moving your windowed-borderless games on Windows. Now, go forth, adventurer, and enjoy the immersive visuals and multitasking freedom that borderless windowed gaming offers!

The Borderless Conundrum: Immersion vs. Control

Borderless windowed gaming offers the best of both worlds: the immersive feel of fullscreen and the accessibility of traditional windowed mode.

While you enjoy stunning visuals that fill your screen, you can easily switch between applications without minimizing the game. However, there’s a catch: less control over window movement.

Breakdown of the limitations:

Missing Title Bar: Unlike traditional windowed mode, borderless windowed games lack the title bar at the top. This eliminates the ability to drag and drop the window to a desired location on your screen.
Limited Click-and-Drag: Clicking and dragging on the game window itself might not achieve the desired result. Depending on the game, it might minimize the window entirely or not move at all.

Why the Restriction?

Borderless windowed mode essentially tricks the game into thinking it’s running in fullscreen while technically remaining a window.

This eliminates the need for a title bar and allows for a seamless visual experience. However, it also sacrifices some of the control you have over traditional windows.

The Trade-Off:

The trade-off for less control over window movement is significant:

Immersion Boost: The borderless window eliminates the borders that can break immersion in fullscreen mode.
Multitasking Prowess: You can seamlessly switch between the game and other programs without minimizing; perfect for checking guides, chatting with friends, or referencing information.

Ultimately, the decision to use borderless windowed mode boils down to your priorities. If immersion and multitasking are paramount, then the limitations in window movement might be a worthwhile trade-off.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Borderless Windowed Games on Windows

The beauty of borderless windowed gaming lies in its immersive visuals and easy access to other applications. But unlike traditional windowed mode, where a simple drag-and-drop reigns supreme, moving your windowed-borderless game requires a different approach.

A. The Challenge of the Missing Title Bar:

Borderless windowed mode in Windows removes the title bar, the usual handle for window movement. Clicking and dragging on the game window itself might minimize it or have no effect. But fear not! Here’s where the power of keyboard shortcuts comes in:

1. The Alt + Space Menu: Unveiling the Hidden Control Panel

The Golden Combo: Press Alt + Space simultaneously. This magical combination brings up the window menu for the active window, even borderless ones! This menu acts as a substitute for the missing title bar.
Arrow Keys Take Control: Once the window menu pops up, use the arrow keys to move the window in the desired direction.
- Up Arrow: Move the window upwards on your screen.
- Down Arrow: Move the window downwards on your screen.
- Left Arrow: Move the window to the left side of your screen.
- Right Arrow: Move the window to the right side of your screen.

2. Windows Key + Arrow Keys: Snapping to Perfection

This combination allows you to quickly snap your borderless window to specific locations on your screen, perfect for multitasking or optimizing your screen space.

Half-Screen Snapping: Press the Windows Key in combination with the Left or Right arrow key. This will snap the window to the left or right half of your screen, respectively, perfect for comparing guides or referencing information alongside your game.
Maximizing and Minimizing:
- Maximize: Press the Windows Key and the Up arrow key together. This will maximize the borderless window, essentially filling your entire screen.
- Minimize: Press the Windows Key and the Shift key simultaneously, then press the Up arrow key. This will minimize the window, allowing you to access other programs on your desktop.

Practice Makes Perfect:

Experiment with these keyboard shortcuts to get comfortable with maneuvering your borderless windowed games. With a bit of practice, you’ll be a master of window movement, maximizing your screen space and enjoying the benefits of borderless windowed gaming without any limitations.

Additional Tips:

Some keyboard shortcuts might vary depending on your keyboard layout or software configurations. If you encounter any issues, refer to your system documentation or keyboard manual.
While these keyboard shortcuts offer a fantastic solution, some games might have specific compatibility quirks with borderless windowed mode.

Embrace the Flexibility:

With these keyboard shortcuts at your fingertips, you’ve unlocked the secret to moving your windowed-borderless games with ease. Now, go forth and conquer your favorite titles, reveling in the immersive visuals and seamless multitasking capabilities that borderless windowed gaming offers!

Conclusion

The world of borderless windowed gaming offers a captivating blend of immersion and accessibility. However, the lack of a traditional title bar can throw a curveball at window movement. But fear not, for you are now armed with the knowledge and tools to conquer this challenge!

The keyboard shortcut combinations of Alt + Space for the hidden window menu and Windows Key with arrow keys for snapping offer a powerful and versatile solution. With a bit of practice, you’ll be a master at maneuvering your borderless gaming, optimizing your screen space, and switching between tasks effortlessly.

FAQs

1. Why can’t I drag the border of a borderless windowed game to move it?

Unlike traditional windowed mode, borderless windowed games lack a title bar, eliminating the usual handle for dragging.

2. How can I move a borderless windowed game on Windows?

Alt + Space + Arrow Keys: This combination brings up the window menu for the active window, allowing you to use the arrow keys to move it up, down, left, or right.
Windows Key + Arrow Keys: Use the Windows key with arrow keys to snap the window to specific locations on the screen. You can also use the Windows key with arrow keys to snap the window into halves, maximize, or minimize it.

3. Are there any other ways to move borderless windowed games?

Some third-party applications like “Windowed Borderless Gaming” offer additional features for managing borderless windows, including resizing and hotkey customization.