GridMove
GridMove is a lightweight and highly customizable window management utility that allows users to quickly organize and arrange open windows on their desktop using predefined or custom grid layouts.
About GridMove
Key features include:
- Flexible Grids: Define any number of rows and columns to create grids perfectly suited to your monitor setup and workflow.
- Multiple Grid Types: Choose from standard, symmetrical grids or create complex, asymmetrical layouts for specialized arrangements.
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Assign customizable hotkeys to quickly move and resize windows to specific grid positions without touching the mouse.
- Mouse Grids: Utilize mouse gestures or key combinations to activate grid snapping directly with your cursor.
- Aero Snap Integration: Works seamlessly with Windows' native Aero Snap feature for intuitive drag-and-drop window positioning.
- Customizable Actions: Define actions to be performed upon dropping a window into a grid cell, such as centering or maximizing.
- Profile Management: Save and quickly switch between different grid configurations for various tasks or monitor setups.
- Low Resource Usage: Designed to be lightweight and have minimal impact on system performance.
- Portable: Can be run directly without installation, making it ideal for use on multiple computers or from a USB drive.
GridMove is particularly useful for users who work with multiple applications simultaneously and need an efficient way to manage screen real estate. Its extensibility through custom grids and keyboard shortcuts makes it a versatile tool for power users seeking fine-grained control over their window layouts. The application's low system overhead ensures that it runs smoothly in the background without interfering with other processes.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Highly customizable grid layouts for precise window placement.
- Supports both keyboard shortcuts and mouse grid interaction.
- Low system resource usage and portable, requires no installation.
- Seamlessly integrates with Windows Aero Snap.
- Ability to save and switch between different grid profiles.
Cons
- Configuration interface appears dated and can be complex for initial setup.
- Learning curve for creating advanced custom grids.
What Makes GridMove Stand Out
Highly Customizable Grids
Offers unparalleled flexibility in creating custom grid layouts beyond simple symmetrical divisions.
Lightweight and Portable
Minimal system resource consumption and the ability to run without installation.
Keyboard and Mouse Control Options
Provides multiple interaction methods to suit different user preferences and workflows.
Features & Capabilities
14 featuresExpert Review
GridMove is a specialized utility addressing a common pain point for many computer users: managing multiple open windows efficiently on limited screen real estate. While operating systems have improved their built-in window snapping capabilities, GridMove takes this concept significantly further by introducing a robust and highly customizable grid system.
The core functionality revolves around creating and utilizing grid layouts on your desktop. Upon launching, GridMove runs in the system tray, consuming minimal resources. The configuration interface, while appearing somewhat dated, provides extensive options for defining grids. Users can specify the number of rows and columns, and critically, define the relative size and position of each cell within the grid. This goes beyond simple symmetrical splits, allowing for complex, asymmetrical layouts tailored to specific work requirements. For instance, one could create a grid with a large central area for a primary application, flanked by smaller areas for reference windows or chat clients.
Seamless Window Placement
Placing windows within these grids is where GridMove shines. It offers several methods: keyboard shortcuts, mouse grids, and integration with Aero Snap. The keyboard shortcut method is particularly efficient for users who prefer not to rely on the mouse. By assigning hotkeys to specific grid cells, users can instantly move and resize a window to a desired position with a simple key combination. This significantly speeds up the process of arranging windows compared to manual dragging and resizing.
The mouse grid feature provides a visual overlay of the active grid when triggered by a configurable mouse action or key combination. Users can then drag windows into the desired grid cell, and GridMove automatically snaps and resizes them. This method offers a more visual and interactive approach compared to keyboard shortcuts.
Integration and Flexibility
GridMove also complements Windows' native Aero Snap feature. When dragging a window to the edge of the screen, Aero Snap still functions, but GridMove adds another layer of precision by allowing snapping to specific grid lines or cells. This integration means users don't have to abandon their familiar snapping habits but gain more granular control.
Beyond the core grid placement, GridMove includes useful supplementary features. Users can define different profiles, allowing them to quickly switch between various grid layouts optimized for different tasks or monitor setups. For instance, a profile for coding might have a large area for an IDE and smaller sections for documentation, while a browsing profile might prioritize larger screen areas for web pages. The ability to exclude specific windows from GridMove's actions is also a practical feature, preventing interference with applications that have their own window management behaviors.
Performance and Usability
Performance-wise, GridMove is very lightweight and runs smoothly in the background without noticeable impact on system performance. Its portability is also a significant advantage, allowing users to run it from a USB drive or network location without installation, making it a convenient tool for use across multiple machines.
While the functionality is robust, the user interface for configuring grids could be more modern and intuitive. Creating complex custom grids using the editor requires some initial learning. However, once configured, the daily use of the application is straightforward and efficient.
Conclusion
In conclusion, GridMove is an excellent utility for users who require fine-grained control over their window placement and organization. Its highly customizable grids, multiple interaction methods (keyboard, mouse, Aero Snap), and lightweight nature make it a valuable tool for enhancing productivity, especially for those who work with multiple applications simultaneously. While the configuration interface has room for modernization, the core functionality is powerful and effective, making GridMove a recommended solution for advanced window management.
Screenshots
