How-To

How to Find Lost Application Windows on Microsoft Windows

By Austin Krause

Updated November 3, 2023

One problem with Microsoft Windows is, at times, it can become lost off all your screens. Over the years, I’ve lost a window or two, and previous to discovering this tip, I would nuke the process in Task Manager. Today, I’ll show you a trick to fix this problem without losing any work (unlike my nuke method mentioned above.) The process is easy and can be completed in only two short steps.  Here’s how!

Updated November 2023: Although these screenshots are from Windows XP, they also work for the latest versions of Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows 11.

How To Bring Stuck Off-Screen Windows Back To The Desktop

 1. Right-click the app on the Taskbar, then Click Move for the Window that’s positioned off your screen. For Windows 11, hover over the app on the taskbar and right-click the preview image to get the move option.

2.  Hit any arrow key on your keyboard. Now move your mouse, and the lost window will follow your mouse wherever you want to place it. Click anywhere to place the window

If you weren’t able to follow the Step-by-Step, here’s the How-To Video:

The good news is I’ve found that it’s virtually impossible to get your Windows stuck with Microsoft’s new Operating System, Windows 7.  If you do manage it, however, the 2-step process above should still work, and if you close and re-open the program, its starting position resets.  Additionally, the Windows 7 SNAP Aero feature should also fix the problem.  More on that soon!