Easily Resize Windows with Keyboard Hotkeys: 3 Top Tools for Windows

Resizing windows manually with a mouse can be time-consuming and imprecise, especially if you need to set windows to specific dimensions repeatedly. For designers, web editors, and software developers, having windows at precise sizes is essential for ensuring that their work looks correct in different screen formats. Fortunately, there are third-party tools that allow you to resize windows effortlessly using pre-set keyboard shortcuts. This article introduces three top tools—Sizer, AutoHotKey, and Screen Capture and Annotate—that make resizing windows with hotkeys quick and efficient.

1. Easily Resize Windows Using Sizer

Sizer is a simple yet powerful tool designed to quickly resize windows to predefined dimensions using keyboard shortcuts. Here's how to get started with Sizer:

Step 1: Download and install Sizer.

Download: Sizer

Step 2: Double-click the Sizer shortcut on your desktop to launch the program.

Step 3: Locate Sizer in the system tray (the area near the clock). Right-click its icon and select "Configure Sizer" from the context menu.

Step 4: In the "Sizer Configuration" window, you will see a list of predefined sizes. Double-click any size to edit it.

Step 5: In the "Sizer Menu Entry" window, assign a keyboard shortcut to the chosen size. For example, you could set Ctrl + Alt + 1 to resize a window to 1024x768.

Step 6: After setting the shortcut, click "OK", then "Apply" to confirm your settings.

Note: You can view and manage all your hotkeys under the "Hot Keys" tab of the "Sizer Configuration" window. Additionally, you can add new sizes and corresponding shortcuts to suit your specific needs.

Sizer is a versatile tool, perfect for those who need to resize windows to fixed dimensions quickly and consistently.

2. Set a Resize Window Hotkey with AutoHotKey

AutoHotKey (AHK) is a powerful scripting tool that allows you to create custom keyboard shortcuts for various tasks, including resizing windows. Though it requires a bit more setup, AHK offers unmatched flexibility for users who want to create highly personalized hotkeys.

Step 1: Download AutoHotKey from the official website and install it following the installation instructions.

Download: AutoHotKey v2.0

Step 2: Copy the following AHK script content and save it as a *.ahk file on your computer:

Example 1: resize to fixed size

#Requires AutoHotkey v2.0-
#Warn
#SingleInstance
^R::resizeWindow(WinGetID("A")) ; [Ctrl]+[R]
resizeWindow(window) {
    WinGetPos(, , &W, &H, window)
    WinMove(, , 814, 607, window) ; The resized size will be 800x600 pixel.
    return
}

Note: Replace "814, 607" with your desired width and height, and save the file with a recognizable name. The ";xxx" is a comment.

Step 3: Double-click the saved *.ahk file to activate the script. Now, pressing Ctrl + R will resize the active window to 800x600.

Note: You can change the shortcut to your preferred key combination by modifying the script. For more details on how to define and use hotkeys, refer to AutoHotKey's official documentation.

Additional:

You can also use the script below to dynamically input the width and height values:

#Requires AutoHotkey v2.0-
#Warn
#SingleInstance
^R::resizeWindow(WinGetID("A")) ; [Ctrl]+[R]
resizeWindow(window) {
 ; Get the width and height of current window
 WinGetPos , , &W, &H, window
 
 width := InputBox("Enter Width (Current: " W "px)", "Resize Window", "w200 h100", W)
 if (width.Result = "OK" && width.Value != "") { ; ensure the input value is valid
     height := InputBox("Enter Height (Current: " H "px)", "Resize Window", "w200 h100", H)
   if (height.Result = "OK" && height.Value != "") { ; ensure the input value is valid
     ; resize the window
     WinMove , , width.Value + 14, height.Value + 7, window
   }
 }
 return
}

Caution: This script cannot resize maximized windows. You need to restore the window before applying the hotkey.

AutoHotKey is ideal for users who want to create customized hotkeys for window resizing and other tasks, offering great flexibility and power.

3. Quickly Resize Windows with Screen Capture and Annotate

Screen Capture and Annotate is primarily a screen capture tool, but it also allows you to resize windows using hotkeys. While not as precise as the other tools, it can be useful in certain situations.

Step 1: Download the "Screen Capture and Annotate" from its official website and complete the installation.

Download: Screen Capture and Annotate

Step 2: Double-click the desktop shortcut to launch the program.

Step 3: Press Ctrl + Shift + R to resize your window.

Note: You can change the hotkey by navigating to Options > Application Settings > Keyboard. Under the "Resize Window" option, set your desired key combination and click "Apply", then "OK" to save the changes.

Caution: The software has a minor bug where the actual window dimensions might slightly differ from the intended size (e.g., 800x600 might turn out to be 786x593). You may need to manually adjust the window afterward.

Despite its limitations, the "Screen Capture and Annotate" is a handy tool that combines resizing with screenshot capabilities.

4. Summary

Among the three tools, Sizer is highly recommended for its ease of use and straightforward setup. For users seeking more customization options, AutoHotKey offers powerful scripting capabilities. If you need a basic resizing tool that also handles screen captures, Screen Capture and Annotate can be a useful option, though it may require some manual adjustments.

By integrating these tools into your workflow, you can save time and improve efficiency, especially when working on tasks that require precise window dimensions.

Note: If you meet "System error 5 has occured. Access is denied.", please run program as administrator.