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How to Fix Excel Window Not Remembering Restored Size in Windows 10
Question details
Users are experiencing an issue where Microsoft Excel and File Explorer do not retain their customized restored window dimensions after being closed and reopened.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Adjusting the Excel window to a specific restored size, but finding that the application opens in an incorrect size upon the next launch, often after taskbar heights are modified.
- Observed behavior
- Excel fails to remember the manually adjusted window dimensions, returning to a defaulted or different size unless a specific gap is left between the window and the taskbar.
Ensure you have saved all active workbooks before modifying Windows system settings or restarting the Explorer process to prevent accidental data loss.
Disable Window Snapping in Windows 10 Multitasking Settings
Turning off the Windows Snap feature prevents the operating system from auto-resizing application windows, allowing Excel to remember your preferred restored size.
Windows 10 includes a window management feature called Snap, which automatically resizes and arranges windows when they are dragged to the edges of the screen. Sometimes, this feature interferes with an application's ability to remember its last manually set dimensions.
Click the Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen, then click the gear icon to open Windows Settings. Alternatively, press the Windows Key + I on your keyboard.
In the Windows Settings menu, click on 'System', then select 'Multitasking' from the left-hand sidebar.
Locate the 'Snap windows' toggle switch at the top of the Multitasking menu and click it to turn the feature 'Off'.
Open Microsoft Excel, resize the window to your desired dimensions (not fully maximized), close the application, and reopen it to verify that it now remembers the correct size.
Use the Taskbar Gap Workaround
If you prefer to keep Window Snapping enabled, leaving a small gap between the Excel window and the Windows taskbar can force the OS to remember the window size.
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- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for Windows.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Excel window always open fully maximized?
This can happen if the program shortcut's properties are configured to open maximized. To fix this, right-click your Excel shortcut, select 'Properties', go to the 'Shortcut' tab, and ensure the 'Run' dropdown is set to 'Normal window' instead of 'Maximized'.
Does changing the taskbar height affect how windows are restored?
Yes, adjusting the Windows taskbar height can alter the available desktop workspace. Windows might recalculate the screen boundaries, which occasionally causes applications like Excel and File Explorer to forget their previously saved restored dimensions.
How do I force Windows to remember a specific window size?
A common trick in Windows 10 is to manually resize the application window to your preferred dimensions, hold down the 'Shift' or 'Ctrl' key on your keyboard, and then click the 'X' button to close the window. This forces the operating system to overwrite the default saved window size.
Will disabling Snap windows affect my multiple monitor setup?
Disabling Snap windows will prevent you from dragging windows to the edges of any screen to auto-fill half or a quarter of the monitor. If you rely heavily on dragging windows to edges on multiple monitors, you may prefer using the taskbar gap workaround instead.
