Guides
A FancyZones alternative for multi-monitor window layouts
FancyZones, part of Microsoft PowerToys, is one of the most popular free tools for splitting screens into zones, and it does that job well. People look for alternatives when they want something it is not designed for: saving where every window is across all monitors, restoring it after sleep or docking, or controlling monitors themselves. This page compares the two fairly and shows how to use WindowLayout either instead of FancyZones or alongside it.
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Know what FancyZones does well
FancyZones lets you design your own zone layouts in an editor, either as a grid or as freely placed zones, with templates such as columns, rows, grid and priority grid. You hold Shift while dragging a window to drop it into a zone, and you can override Windows Snap so Win+Arrow keys move between zones. Each monitor can have its own layout, and FancyZones can move new windows to their last known zone. It is free, open source and maintained by Microsoft as part of PowerToys.
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See where it stops
FancyZones arranges windows into zones, but it does not save a snapshot of all your open windows across every monitor and restore it on demand or when a monitor setup reconnects. PowerToys Workspaces can launch a set of apps into positions, which is a different job from restoring the windows you already have open. Neither changes resolution, refresh rate, the main display or monitor brightness. PowerToys is a large suite with many other tools, which some people like and others do not need.
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Set up zones in WindowLayout
Open Windows & Zones in WindowLayout and choose a zone layout per monitor: Halves, Thirds, 2 × 2 grid, Priority 25/50/25 or Three rows. Click Arrange windows now to drop the windows on that monitor into their zones, or use Next zone (Ctrl+Alt+PageDown) and Previous zone (Ctrl+Alt+PageUp) to step one window through the zones and on to the next monitor. Set Gap between snapped windows for spacing. There is no drag-to-zone with the mouse and no drawing editor; the optional AI Layout designer can create custom zone layouts that you review before use. For custom proportions, WindowLayout also lets you split a monitor into columns and rows with Split & padding; those areas act like separate monitors for maximize, moving and snapping.
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Add saved window profiles
This is the main reason to add WindowLayout. In Window Profiles, click Save current to store every window on every monitor with its position, size, state and stacking order. Restore it with a Hotkey, from the tray or the command palette, and turn on Apply automatically when this setup connects to bring it back when you dock. Restore windows after monitor changes, sleep and unlock puts windows back after a wake scramble, which zone tools alone do not handle.
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Use both without conflicts
FancyZones and WindowLayout can run together. Keep FancyZones for dragging windows into custom zones and use WindowLayout for profiles, monitor hotkeys, display profiles and brightness. FancyZones' default shortcuts use the Win key and WindowLayout's use Ctrl+Alt, so they rarely collide. If you turn on FancyZones' option to move new windows to their last zone, consider leaving Remember app positions off in WindowLayout so the two do not move the same window.
Frequently asked questions
Is WindowLayout affiliated with Microsoft or PowerToys?
No. WindowLayout is an independent free app. PowerToys and FancyZones are Microsoft products, named here only to compare features.
Can I import my FancyZones layouts?
No. Pick the closest built-in layout per monitor, or describe your layout to the optional AI Layout designer. A saved window profile then keeps the exact window positions anyway.
Which one uses fewer resources?
Both are light while idle. WindowLayout is a single app of about 10 MB to install; PowerToys installs a suite of utilities, of which FancyZones is one.