Powertoys: Shortcut to Turn FancyZones On and Off [or a way to use Windows 10 Snap at the same time]

[zvit]

Summary of the new feature/enhancement

Having the ability to turn FancyZones on or off with a keyboard shortcut

I will report this in the bug section but it's relevant to my feature suggestion.
For some reason, I cannot use the "drag" feature to move windows into a zone. The only way I can move windows into zones is to enable "Override Windows Snap hotkeys (Win + Arrow) to move between zones" So for those who use Win+Arrow, this suggestion is relevant.

I created some customer zones for various tasks. However, most of the time, I would like the Win+Arrow to perform as normal (move window to fill right or left of screen). Problem is, after enabling a FancyZone, in order to get back the default use of Win+Arrows, I have to reopen the FZ settings and turn it off. Then, when I need FZ again, I need to again open the settings to turn it on. These are unnecessary steps for a small task.

Yes, I can technically create a two-column zone, mimicking the default Win+Arrows behavior but I am suggesting a keyboard shortcut to do that.

[enricogior]

Hi @zvit
instead of turning FZ on and off, would a different key combination for FZ do the trick?
For example would it be ok for you to use Win+Alt+arrows? Or something similar?

[zvit]

Hi @zvit
instead of turning FZ on and off, would a different key combination for FZ do the trick?
For example would it be ok for you to use Win+Alt+arrows? Or something similar?

I don't see any option to change the keyboard shortcut combination for placing windows into zones.
I only see an option to change the shortcut for editing zones.

[enricogior]

@zvit
the option is not there yet.
I was asking if an option like that would be a viable solution for you?

[zvit]

@zvit
the option is not there yet.
I was asking if an option like that would be a viable solution for you?

Oh, sorry, I misunderstood you.
Yes, that would help.

Or, alternatively, if we can assign keyboard shortcuts for each custom zone setup, that would be the best.
That way, I would create one setup with two columns, to mimic the default way of two windows, each filling right and left of the screen, and then I can create all types of custom groups and be able to switch between them with shortcuts.

I use AutoHotkey combined with a physical external keypad (Genovation CP48) so I'd assign each layout to a key on the keypad. (Giving that I can assign a keyboard shortcut to each layout)

[rasenplanscher]

I liked the old behavior (v0.14):

• LWin+left/right: Fancy Zones
• RWin+left/right: Windows Snap

I'd love to get that back

[CombeeMike]

I'd love to see optional/dedicated keyboard hotkeys for Fanzy Zones as suggested by enricogior.

My use case (just for completeness)

I'm on a 3 monitor setup and am only using Fancy Zones actively on 1 monitor. Whilst I sometimes would like to align my current application in one of my zones using the keyboard, I don't want to lose the default Win+L/R behavior ("application suggestions" for the 2nd half of the screen etc.) on the 2 screens where I don't have no Fancy Zones defined.

Another alternative

Here's what would also work for me:

Let the Override Windows Snap shortcut option only override Win+L/R on screens with existing fancy zones. Probably best explained using an example:

• Screen 1 (left) & 2 (center): No zones
• Screen 3 (right): 2 Zones
• Active application is on Screen 1:
  
  
  
  • Win+R -> Windows snap to Screen 1/right
  
  
  • Win+R -> Windows snap to Screen 2/left
  
  
  • Win+R -> Windows snap to Screen 2/right
  
  
  • Win+R -> Fancy Zones snap to Screen 3/zone1
  
  
  • Win+R -> Fancy Zones snap to Screen 3/zone2
  
  
  • Win+L -> Fancy Zones snap to Screen 3/zone1
  
  
  • Win+L -> Windows snap to Screen 2/right
  
  
  • ...
  
  

[enricogior]

Tracked in https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/issues/6611