How to dock and undock windows on your PC

Sometimes your windows just need to stay where they are and be where you left them. Learn how to keep your windows in one place on your PC, but also how to release them to “float” away when the time comes.

When to dock

Docking a window means fixing it in position, as compared to the rest of the applications, which can move around. A floating window is one that you can freely move by clicking and dragging it. Windows 11 remembers previous window docking positions and sizes, which is an update from past versions.

Here are a few different options for docking your windows:

• Select the window’s title bar twice.
• Use the shortcut menu. You can open this by right-clicking the title bar or selecting the upper-right-hand window icon and then choosing Dock from the menu.
• Drag the window to a docking location somewhere on your screen, which means it will always dock.

You can also dock all your windows simultaneously in the Windows Debugger (WinDbg) window. Take a look at the WinDbg menu on the Window menu and select Dock All. The only reason a window wouldn’t dock under this command is if you’ve previously selected Always floating on individual windows.

Time to undock

Just like letting go of the ties keeping a boat on the shore, undocking windows can be a lot simpler than docking—after all, you’re just making things float again. Here are a few different ways to make your windows moveable:

• Similar to the steps you took to dock your window, you can select the title bar twice to undock.
• Or use the shortcut menu on the window and select undock.

You also can open the WinDbg window and use the Windows menu to select Undock All, which is important when you have a high volume of windows.

Why do all of this docking and undocking?

Docking can be a lifesaver when you have multiple monitors or even just one small screen. You can set your windows to always open on specific screens, such as putting your email on your external monitor so it’s always looming above your head. If you’re working on a laptop and say, analyzing data in Microsoft Excel and writing conclusions about it in Microsoft Word, you can make sure your respective program windows stay docked each time you open your computer.

At the same time, sometimes you just need to rearrange your screen depending on your priorities or various projects. That’s where it’s helpful to know to how to undock your windows and return them to their previously floating status.

Docking and undocking reminds us that nothing is permanent unless you want it to be, and that we always have the power to personalize and control our computer screens. That can be a relief.