While using Microsoft Windows, I had a window that had somehow fallen completely off of my screen. Right-clicking the window in the Taskbar and selecting Maximize brought it back, but there was no way I could get the window restored to where I could move it around my screen with my mouse.
Luckily, there are a couple of ways to bring off-screen windows back to the desktop screen.
Fix 1 – Resolution Trick
Windows 10 & 8
- Start the problematic application.
- Right-click a blank area of the Desktop, then choose “Display settings“.
- Select “Advanced display settings” at the bottom of the window.
- Temporarily change the “Resolution” to another value, then choose “Apply“.
- See if you can see the window on your screen now.
- Change the resolution back to the previous value, then select “OK“.
Windows 7
- Start the problematic application.
- Right-click a blank area of the Desktop, then choose “Screen Resolution“.
- Temporarily change the “Resolution” to another value, then choose “Apply“.
- See if you can see the window on your screen now.
- Change the resolution back to the previous value, then select “OK“.
Fix 2 – Show Desktop Toggle
- Hold down the Windows Key, then press “D“. Repeat these steps to see if it makes the window you are looking for reappear.
- Alternately, you can right-click a blank area of the taskbar, then choose “Show the desktop“, then repeat.
Fix 3 – Move Option 1
- Select the program in the task bar.
- Hold the Windows Key while pressing Left Arrow or Right Arrow repeatedly to move the window back into view.
Fix 4 – Move Option 2
- In Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista, hold down the “Shift” key while right-clicking the program in the taskbar, then select “Move“. In Windows XP, right-click the item in the task-bar and select “Move“. In some instances, you may have to select “Restore“, then go back and select “Move“.
- Use your mouse or the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the window back onto the screen.
Fix 5 – Cascade Windows
Fix 6 – Maximize
Sometimes a single app will get stuck in a state where it cannot redraw onto the Window. You can usually alleviate this by doing the following.
- Hold “Shift” and right-click on the program icon in the taskbar, then choose “Maximize“.
FAQ
How do I prevent my application from starting off the screen every time I launch it?
Most applications will stop doing this if you properly exit out of the application while it is on the screen. If you have already properly exited the application, you might need to uninstall and reinstall it.
Otherwise, you can try right-clicking the icon for the application, then choosing “Properties“. Under the “Shortcut” tab, change the “Run” setting to “Maximized“, then select “OK“.
Netman says
Omg the shift+alt trick worked…
Using the trick to click “Move” on the window and then using the arrow keys to move it back into frame.
As the window opened, it showed a transparent screen jump off to the left, so I used the right arrow key to move it back into frame. Many thanks to whoever wrote the fix in the comments
Remus says
Fix 3 worked for me. Thank you a lot.
My best regards
Ali says
Fix 2 worked for me Win 10 – Thank you so much
Don says
FIX 3 did the trick for me on Windows 10. Thank you!
SunnyECB says
whew…. went through all scenarios and then back to the WIN PLUS D YES, thank you.
0sleep says
massive thanks! thought i lost my main browser window permanently, WIN+D worked!
PL says
None of them works for me.
The app that had problem is a fix sized window app.
The problem was created when I connected to a 4K external monitor but later connected back to 1080p monitor.
The way I solve it was disabled the external monitor and restart the app.
Nel says
Shift+Rclick in task bar > Maximize is what worked for me. Thank you
J says
Alt+Space > Move worked for me ….
Prince says
Fix 4 worked for me, it worked like Magic
Lloyd says
Fix #2 worked! Thank you thank you thank you.
kordetta says
“Upvote for Peter J de Bruins solution! Some “tray applications” like Slack don’t show up on the desktops, tabs, cascades etc and “move” doesnt appear on the window menu. His solution of “Alt” “Space” after selecting application on taskbar definitely is the universal solution.”
THIS DID IT FOR ME!! THANK YOU!
Nerven Maistry says
Yes. Fix 3 Assisted me. After 4 weeks of struggling, i was directed to this site by Siemens Support Desk in Germany. We developed a SCADA graphics on WinCC where the RunTime Graphics would disappear when a specific user logged on. The RunTime had simply been displaced when doing the Covid-19 cleaning of the keyboards. Be careful people, windows functions can cost your company lots of money …
Thank you so kindly.
Stuy1974 says
Saved my sanity – THANK YOU
sam says
fix 2 worked perfectly for me
sam says
thank you
. M dM MMr 4MMML . says
Thank you so much
SIDNEY says
Fix #3. You should get a Nobel. #LifeSaver
Shane Beauregard says
Thank you! The Maximize trick worked for me.
Joel says
Amazing. a simple fix for a screwed up thing
Patrick de Ruijter says
Thank’s for the tip.
Charlie Shellenberger says
Thank you so much, “Fix 2 – Show Desktop Toggle” worked for me. This was extremely helpful :).
Stan Markowitz says
WOW – FINALLY SOMETHING WORKS!
I had wasted over 35 minutes trying all sorts of solutions i had googled. Nothing worked. However, your Fix 3, option 1 worked solved the issue (windows 10). Thanks and more thanks!
Peter Morris says
None of these work if it is a dialog pop-up window rather than the app window. To fix this
ALT+SpaceBar
Select “move” in the menu that appears
Then move your mouse
M. Obeidi says
Only (Alt+Space) worked. Thanks much. You are great and many thanks for the commentators.
Adrian says
Brilliant … I always had 2 screen @ work but during the lockdown I have to settle for laptop screen only from home.
I guess I had the application displayed on a separate screen before starting to work from home.
Be safe and stay home.
Selim says
Good Job! Thanks!
Cesar says
much thanks
DavidN says
Fix 2 worked for me on Windows 10. Thanks!
Eileen Bailey says
You are the best! Changed the resolution and the window was immediately available. Thanks
Agus Fadillah Sani says
A good option. ? It didn’t occur to me by changing the screen resolution.
Craig says
Nice post, thank you
Hold down the Windows Key, then press “D“ did the trick for me in Windows 10
prashant says
Alt+Space is life saver.
Dario says
You made me so happy!!!!!
Thanks, I used Fix #3
Tataru says
1) in the search bar type : “change the resolution”,
2) find “multiple displays”
3) enable “show only on 1”
Chris says
Awesome! Thank you!
Alex says
Thanks for putting up these solution options, did help to get back my missing windows. Thank you.
Caleb Wagner says
ALT SPACE was the only thing that worked.
Mohamed Masalmeh says
None of the fixes worked. Except ALT – SPACE from the comments.
Thanks folks.
Sylectra says
Thanks so much! You helped me find my ghost window. I used Tip #4 with a couple modifications that might help others to know about. I am on a Windows 10 laptop with a second monitor connected in Extended Display mode.
First, as you start the troublesome app, observe the ghost trail as it slides off screen. Remember that.
Then while holding down the Shift key, right click on your app icon in the Taskbar and select Move.
Hold down the arrow key that is the opposite of the direction where you saw the app go off the screen to move it back into view. Close and reopen the app to save that view.
.-=-. says
nothing worked except the alt-space trick from the comments
Rubén Morera says
Thanks allot!
Bonnie says
Fix 4 helped me find my Nitro PDF window back. THANK YOUUU!!!
Bess says
None of this worked for me, not even Peter Bruin’s suggestion. :( If anyone knows another fix, please help me.
I’m using Win 10 and the problem is the sub sub (yes, 2 subs) dialog box in a scanning app disappears when I go and use another app .
Paperport opens its dialog box when I start a scan. The PP dialog box (#1) opens another scanning dialog box (#2, the device’s own dialog box) where I select the scanner settings. When I switch to another app (e.g., Chrome) and go back to PP, dialog box #2 is gone. Clicking on dialog box #1 just shows a continuously spinning circle. Even when I minimize everything and just have PP open, dialog box #2 is gone. The only solution is to end the app via the TaskManager but then I lose whatever I’ve scanned already and havent saved yet.
It’s really annoying. I’ve never had this problem of a lost dialog box with Win 7.
Carter says
Life save! :P
right click and maximize saved me. Nothing could get this application to show on screen anymore no matter what I tried.
Thanks
Veronique says
Thank you! fix#3 worked for me.
Cyri says
thank you !
Or says
fix #4 did it for me
shay says
OMG. I was about to throw the entire computer away lol. Thanks you
Noah says
Fix 3. Oh my god. Im actually in tears. I have been away from friends in discord for MONTHS because of this :'(
Ravindu says
Great in Windows 7 Win + D thing worked for me. Great blog…
Vijan says
Thank you for your help, Changing the screen resolution in Windows 10, worked great.
Simen says
Thanks for the help. This solved the problem quite easily, and saved me a headache.
Fabrice Lavenir says
Fix 4 was the OG BOY YEAAAAH!!
Günther Bosch says
I learned very helpful set of shortcuts and keystrokes . Thanks
Simon Newell says
For a small 3rd party type program (Any Password Pro) which didn’t have move options on its window, I needed to use the ‘Windows key’ and ‘right arrow’ method. Highlight its icon in status bar first. Worked a treat.
Joe Dean says
Thank you! Fix #1 worked for me.
Scott W says
Fix 3 worked for me!!! Thank you, it feels like a thorn was removed from my paw.
Jafrican says
My New Email window disappeared a week ago on Windows 10. Cascade did the trick! Thank you!!
Trevor Boardman says
Fix 2 worked for me for inkscape on a acer Aspire E 15 Windows 10. Most appreciated.
Gérald says
For me with Windows 10 pro (1903) the only thinks that worked is:
alt-tab until the needed invisible window-application (release)
alt-space to see Maximize,Move, etc. Window
And that’s it !
SAM says
Thanks alot man!
Solved my life long problem here
David says
So helpful, thanks!
Amir says
Thank you man MOVE OPTION 2 worked for me! Good Luck
Dawn says
I have Windows 7 and my husband has Windows 10. The issue I
had with the windows just started today but my husband has
been experiencing this for awhile on his Windows 10 PC. When
toggling between two application windows it would not bring
the active window to the front. For example, a Word document
is open and Chrome is open. I need to switch back and forth
between the two applications. When I click on one it should
bring that window to the front, it wouldn’t overlay the
window. I tried all the fixes but nothing worked. However, on
Fix 5 instead of “Cascade windows” choose “Show windows
stacked” or “Show windows side by side”, that worked and now
I can just click on an area of the window that I want to and
it will overlay.
03SSR says
The Windows+Up/Down arrow trick worked for me. Thanks!!
Michael Eberhard says
Resolution change worked for me. Thank you
David says
Fix 2 worked for me, I had to select the window first using alt tab.
Thanks so much!
John says
That Changing the Display Resolution worked Great. Thank you.
Toto says
Michael Farrow’s solution worked!!!! Thanx
Charlie says
Fix 5 was on the critical path to displaying less than maximized windows and the being able to use the mouse to resize and move when the other fixes did not.
manar says
Thanks a lot…
the last step works for me
Michael Farrow says
Make sure the window is active, then Alt+Spacebar, arrow down “Move” then arrow keys/mouse usually works for me.
sharon says
Thanks so much, the worked perfectly :)
Bob says
I love you! Been struggling with this
Malaika says
“Fix 2” worked perfectly. Thank you for saving my day!
denby says
Good advice! :) My display was faulty for a while with w7 (despite checking the drivers) but was easily fixed by altering resolution everyday – but now I’ve sadly had to downgrade to w10, the previous fix won’t work! – My display looks like it’s fallen half inch downwards & is resisting all efforts to mend it.. Pfff; micro$oft..
LMC says
Fix 3 worked for me; Windows key, left arrow, right arrow, on Windows 10. Thank you!
Jackson Douglas says
Shift Right-clicking the program on taskbar brings up nothing for me, can’t maximise, can’t move, can’t do anything
KP says
You just saved my day. You are a wonderful human.
Brittnee K says
Thanks! Fix 3 and 4 worked for me on Windows 10.
Gregory says
Fix 6 was my last hope, and it worked!
Thank you a lot!
Shirkawa says
Thank you “Fix 3 – Move Option 1” worked wonders for me!
srinath says
Thanks for the hint.. it worked
Julian says
Dude, thanks a lot you saved my day:)
M Aurras says
Thank you! resolution worked for me!!
June says
After a Windows update last night I now have nothing showing on my screen. I can log in then nothing shows except a nice blue screen. How do I fix this
Ryan says
Fix 3 for Windows 7 fixed it for me! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Thank you, thank YOU, THANK YOU for sharing this. Peace and love.
Benicio says
It works! Is this more like going into a parallel dimension to bring back your window? I’d like to think so. Thanks.
diamond says
how do i delete something called Bionix video wallpapaer its not on my app list
Kathleen R Berger says
i accidentally moved the screen up but cannot find the same dialog box that moved it to reset it?
Liezl du Plooy says
Fix 4 worked for me, thanks!
Vaughn says
David,
Thanks for the ALT+Space tip. I couldn’t get the Maximize option using anything else.
Eammon says
Nice one Mitch
The off-screen has been a constant pain for years and it was always way to fiddly to resolve.
You have just shown me a tip that worked in seconds. Fantastic.
Thanks for posting this.
David says
Resolution for me: click on window to maximize it, then press ALT+Space which brings up the menu where you can select Maximize, and then I just dragged the window so I could control where it went when it was “un-maximized”
Salem Arvin says
Bless you!!!
Joshua83702 says
Well done: desktop toggle recovered the program. The “move” command was not available.
Brad says
+++
Bob says
October 24, 2018 at 8:11 pm
My solution: None of these worked for me. After screwing around for an hour, I found a way that did for Win 7. Start program that won’t maximize, press ‘Ctrl-Alt-Del’ keys, Start task manager, click ‘applications’ tab, click ‘windows’ in top bar, click ‘maximize’. The problem program immediately maximized. I hope this helps at least one of you
————————
A big thank you. This is the only solution that worked for me. Very grateful.
buubot says
I tried every step but wasn’t able to get the program back on screen. I restarted and everything. It was so frustrating. The fail-safe that actually worked for me was hold ALT and press Spacebar. A menu appeared and I just hit X for maximize and it came on the screen. Somehow my program was thrown off the left side of my 3rd monitor in a blank space. Weird
Andrew says
Fix 3-Move Option 1 really worked. My issue was that my window for Autodesk Sketchbook was missing and that option really worked. Now I can finally draw my designs and get some work done.
Thank You!!!
Kahuna says
So this may be kinda late, but for anyone that comes across this page and reads this, try Alt+ Space +R it should bring up the same thing as fix 4, its just a different way of doing it because shift + right click never worked for me, hope it helps
Karen Greenough says
Peter J. de Bruin’s solution worked for Windows 10 for a sub window of an application. Took a few tries and using the arrow keys, then the touch pad.
Peter says
Err, very good – it worked on my Mac !
John says
I worked my way down the page, nothing worked until I came to Bob’s method on Oct 24. Thanks Bob
Chris George says
Found another solution that worked for me. I dragged another window I had open to one side of my monitor (as you would if you wanted to split the monitor screen to 2 panes). Windows then brings up all other open applications for you to select which go to the other half of the screen. I think this is a relatively new thing in Windows but it works!
Craig Schindewolf says
Thank you very much!
Gamal Gasser says
Google applications having a havoc with windows. If gmail is on my second monitor and I ask for am email to be expanded, it would always give me a window with its head up and off the display area.
This page has many solution, More than one worked for me.
Thank you
LF` says
Fix 4 worked for me! Thank you!
Peter K. de Wolf says
Upvote for Peter J de Bruins solution! Some “tray applications” like Slack don’t show up on the desktops, tabs, cascades etc and “move” doesnt appear on the window menu. His solution of “Alt” “Space” after selecting application on taskbar definitely is the universal solution.
Misho says
If the browser was maximized on the other screen, then the Move trick won’t do.
The easiest trick that works for me every time is Windows key+Right key few times. (or left, depending on which side is the browser stuck). No need for complicating. :)
David Bowie says
Found another fix that may help others. I tried all of the above techniques and the application would close if I tried to click on it. The fix was disconnect the second monitor and restart the app. Hope this helps others.
NICK says
Thank you!!!!!!!! lIFE SAVERS!
Peter J. de Bruin says
Correction for fix 4: one needs to press an arrow key first before one can use the mouse.
Some tools have no maximize button, neither does the ‘move’ option appear in the task bar menu, neither does any of the other fixes work.
The following ALWAYS works:
* Select the program in the task bar
* Hold down the Alt key and press space. The window menu should appear on the border of the screen.
* If it doesn’t, the window is minimized. In that case, start again.
* Select ‘Move’
* Press any arrow key.
* Move the mouse to position the window.
* Click (only) when the position is right
Bob says
My solution: None of these worked for me. After screwing around for an hour, I found a way that did for Win 7. Start program that won’t maximize, press ‘Ctrl-Alt-Del’ keys, Start task manager, click ‘applications’ tab, click ‘windows’ in top bar, click ‘maximize’. The problem program immediately maximized. I hope this helps at least one of you.
MXHowes says
While waiting for your reply I was trying a lot of other things to restore the browser. When I closed all tabs but one, right clicked on the top of the tab that was still open, I was able to drag the browser back to where it belonged. I must have done just the opposite when I dragged it off the screen by accident.