Organize your Windows desktop in seconds.
Layout Manager lets you snap any window into custom zones on your screen — like having invisible tiles you can drop windows into. It runs quietly in the background and stays out of your way until you need it.
Imagine splitting your screen into regions — left half, right half, or any layout you design. Instead of manually resizing windows every time, you:
- Hold a key (Alt by default) and coloured zones appear on your screen
- Drag a window into a zone
- Release — the window snaps perfectly into place
That's it. No more fiddling with window edges.
- Zones — create, move, and resize regions to match how you work
- Hotkeys — change which key shows zones, and set a shortcut to open settings
- Multiple monitors — use the same layout everywhere, or set up each screen differently
- Start with Windows — optional, so Layout Manager is ready when you log in
You only need one file: Layout-Manager-Setup.exe
- Double-click
Layout-Manager-Setup.exe - Click Install (choose Yes if Windows asks for permission)
- Open Layout Manager from the Start Menu
- Follow the short welcome guide
You do not need to install Java or anything else — the installer includes everything.
"Windows protected your PC"?
Click More info, then Run anyway. The app isn't code-signed yet, but it's safe to install from a source you trust.
After installing, Layout Manager lives in your system tray — the area near the clock at the bottom-right of your screen. Look for the two-colour icon.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hold Alt (or your chosen assign key) |
| 2 | Zones appear on screen — the one under your cursor highlights as you drag |
| 3 | Click a window's title bar and drag it into a zone |
| 4 | Release the mouse — the window snaps into place |
- Double-click the tray icon, or
- Press Ctrl+Shift+L (default shortcut)
| Tab | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Get Started | Quick guide and hotkey reference |
| Zones | Design your screen layout |
| Preferences | Change hotkeys, enable start-with-Windows |
| Advanced | Backup settings, uninstall, quit the app |
- Quit (stop until next launch): Settings → Advanced → Quit, or right-click tray icon → Quit
- Uninstall (remove completely): Settings → Advanced → Uninstall, or Windows Settings → Apps → Layout Manager
Layout Manager is already running
It's in the system tray. Double-click the icon to open settings.
Zones don't show up
Open settings, make your changes, and click Save Changes.
I closed the settings window
That's normal — the app keeps running in the tray. Double-click the icon to open settings again.
I want to remove it
Settings → Advanced → Uninstall Layout Manager, or use Windows Settings → Apps.
Building from source, architecture, and packaging details are in TECHNICAL.md.