How to make Windows 11 remember window size after closing?

Camden 30 Reputation points
2025-07-30T15:30:46.53+00:00

On Windows 10, when I would resize an application or explorer window, then close it, Windows would remember the size of the window the next time I opened it. This no longer happens in Windows 11. Someone online said that holding Control while closing a window would fix this and force the window to remember it's size, but this is not true. Why does Windows 11 not remember my window size? How do I get it to?

As an aside, it is extremely frustrating that this question has already been asked, but Microsoft decided to wipe their Q&A page, so I'm forced to re-ask a question that already had an answer.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Apps
0 comments No comments
{count} votes

Answer accepted by question author
  1. Clary-N 4,840 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-07-31T04:18:01.2666667+00:00

    Hi Camden,

    Thank you for reaching out Microsoft Answers. I understand how frustrating it can be when Windows 11 doesn’t retain window sizes after closing. This issue may be caused by changes in how Windows 11 manages window states, particularly with Snap Layouts, user profile settings, or third-party software interference.

    To help resolve this, please try the following steps:

    Step 1: Registry Tweak (Disable Browser Extensions in Internet Explorer)

    This tweak disables browser extensions in Internet Explorer, which may help isolate system-level behaviors affecting window management.

    Registry Path:

    Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
    

    *Action:

    • Locate the value named Enable Browser Extensions.
    • Change its value from Yes to No.
    • Restart your PC to apply the change.
      This disables Internet Explorer extensions, which can sometimes interfere with shell behavior or legacy window handling.

     

    Step 2: Snap-Assisted Closure (Recommended for Most Apps)

    This method helps Windows remember window size and position more reliably:

    1. Resize the window manually to your preferred size.
    2. Drag the window to any screen edge until the Snap highlight appears.
    3. Release the window to snap it, then close it while snapped.

    When reopened, the app will often retain the snapped size and position.

     

    Step 3: Reset File Explorer Folder Views

    If File Explorer continues to forget window sizes:

    1. Open File Explorer Options (search for it in Start).
    2. Go to the View tab.
    3. Click Reset Folders to clear saved view settings.
    4. Then click Apply to Folders to save your preferred layout.

    This resets folder view memory and applies your current layout as the default.

     

    Step 4: Test with a New User Profile

    This helps determine if the issue is specific to your current Windows profile.

    1. Open Settings > Accounts > Other users.
    2. Click Add account to create a new local user.
    3. Log in with the new account and test window behavior.

    If the issue does not occur in the new profile, it may be related to user-specific settings or corruption.

     For more detailed instructions, please refer to the official Microsoft support page at: How to create a Local account in Windows 11 - ARTICLE - Microsoft Q&A 

     

    Please let me know the results after trying these steps. If the issue persists, I’ll be happy to assist you further.

     

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

     

    Warm regards,

    Clary | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist

    1 person found this answer helpful.

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Andrew Majewski 5 Reputation points
    2025-10-18T09:43:26.23+00:00

    Why did Microsoft disable the remember Last Window size option in the first place? It just creates more things we have to do to access a long proven useful feature. There is, I'm afraid, a readily observable pattern within these so called upgrades that keeps users on the run. And the quality control process prior to rollout is dubious.. I mean seriously.. Why do we have to now mess around in Command Prompt to get to do what we were all happy doing for years?

    1 person found this answer helpful.

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.