"Free" windows resetting to random zone on Virtual Desktop switch

[roschlau]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.61.1

Running as admin

• [ ] Yes

Area(s) with issue?

FancyZones

Steps to reproduce

1. On Windows 10, have Fancy Zones enabled and a Chrome Window (happens also other programs, but most reliably with Chrome for me) on Virtual Desktop 1, another Chrome Window on Virtual Desktop 2, both snapped to a Zone
2. Make Window 1 "free", i.e. not snapped into any zone, by dragging it out
3. Switch to Virtual Desktop 2, then switch back to Virtual Desktop 1 (doesn't matter if via keyboard shortcut or the taskbar icon)

✔️ Expected Behavior

The first Chrome window should stay in the free position it was in when I left Virtual Desktop 1

❌ Actual Behavior

The first Chrome window gets snapped into a random zone upon switching back to Virtual Desktop 1. The zone it gets snapped to frequently is even on another monitor than the window was originally on.

Other Software

Windows 10 Pro, Version 10.0.19044 Build 19044

[roschlau]

This is mostly a problem with maximized windows. On my main screen, I have a grid layout active, but some programs I want to have in full screen, so I just maximize them with the regular Windows controls, but they always get reset when switching VDs, which I do very often during work.

It only started happening after updating PowerToys, on my previous version (I believe it was 0.59, not completely sure on that) it worked flawlessly. Seriously considering disabling fancy zones because of this at the moment.

[randyclassen]

I'm also having this problem, starting when I updated to 0.60 I think. Being maximized doesn't matter for me and the window(s) always reset to the first zone on the next screen. I am running as admin.

Basically, when I switch virtual desktops and switch back Chrome windows on a screen with no layout goes to the first zone on the next screen. Chrome is also the main culprit for me, even other chromium based browsers (Edge and Brave) do not do it.

Example

PowerToysReport_2022-08-12-10-40-23.zip

[roschlau]

Being maximized doesn't matter for me

Ah, yes - whether the window is maximized or not doesn't affect the behavior for me either. I was a little unclear there.

the window(s) always reset to the first zone on the next screen

For me this seems a little inconsistent. My monitor setup looks like this: (left 1080p, right 1440p, with the right one being my main monitor in Windows) Monitor 1 has a column layout with a narrow column on the left and a second column covering the rest of the screen on the right.

If a window is free/maximized on the left monitor, it will reset into the right column on the right monitor. If it's free/maximized on the right monitor already, it will stay on that monitor, and usually also reset into the right column, but sometimes it will also reset into the left, narrow column, but still on the same monitor. I'm not sure what the condition here is for resetting into one zone or the other, I haven't been able to reliably reproduce it.

[randyclassen]

Mine seems to be the same issue as described in #19503 and this comment is a great summary and workaround for me.

[roschlau]

@randyclassen Thank you! That seems to be exactly it and the workaround also works just fine for me, I don't really care whether that option is turned on or off anyway.