Show Windows Stacked or Side by Side - Create Shortcuts

How to Create a Shortcut for "Show Windows Stacked" or "Show Windows Side by Side"

information   Information
This will show you how to create a Show Windows Stacked, Show Windows Side by Side, and a Undo Windows shortcut that can be placed where you like them for easy use in Windows 7 and Vista.
Note   Note
These shortcuts will allow you to have open windows on your desktop to either be displayed side by side vertically or stacked horizontally. The UndoWindows shortcut will set the open window back the way they were displayed before clicking on the SideBySide and Stacked shortcuts.
Tip   Tip
You can minimize the opened windows that you do not want included in the stack to the taskbar before using the scripts below.

EXAMPLE: Show Windows Stacked on Desktop
Show_Stacked.jpg
EXAMPLE: Show Windows Side by Side on Desktop
Show_SideBySide.jpg
EXAMPLE: Default Shortcuts Location
NOTE:
This is the defauly location of these shortcuts. Right click on the taskbar to see these. You will not see Undo Show Stacked or Undo Show Side by Side until after you clicked on either Show Windows Side by Side or Show Windows Stacked.

Right_Click_Taskbar.jpgUndo_Stacked.jpgUndo_SideBySide.jpg




OPTION ONE
To Download the Shortcuts

1. Click on the Download button below to download the​
file below.​
ShowWindows.zip
download

2. Click on Save and save it to the Desktop.​
3. Right click on the downloaded zip file and click on Open.​
4. Click on Allow in the (UAC-Vista).​
5. Extract (drag and drop) the Stacked.vbs, SideBySide.vbs, and UndoWindows.vbs files to the desktop.​
6. Right click on each extracted vbs file one at a time, and click on Properties, General tab, and on the Unblock button. (See screenshot below)​
NOTE: If you do not have a Unblock button under the General tab, then the vbs file is already unblocked.​
7. When done, you can delete the Show Desktop.zip (On Desktop) file if you want to.​
8. Go to OPTION THREE below.​




OPTION TWO
To Manually Create Shortcuts

1. Open the Start menu.​
2. To Create the Show Windows Side by Side Shortcut
A) In the white line (Start Search) area type Notepad.exe and press Enter.​
B) Copy and Paste this into Notepad: (See code below)​

Code:
dim objShell
set objShell = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
objShell.TileVertically
set objShell = nothing
C) In Notepad, click on File and click on Save As.​
D) Change the save location to the Desktop.​
E) In the File Name line, type SidebySide.vbs and click on Save. (See screenshot below)​
NOTE: You can name it anything you would like. Just have .vbs at the end of it.
SaveAs_SideBySide.jpg

F) Close Notepad.​

3. To Create the Show Windows Stacked Shortcut
A) In the white line (Start Search) area type Notepad.exe and press Enter.​
B) Copy and Paste this into Notepad: (See code below)​

Code:
dim objShell
set objShell = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
objShell.TileHorizontally
set objShell = nothing
C) In Notepad, click on File and click on Save As.​
D) Change the save location to the Desktop.​
E) In the File Name line, type Stacked.vbs and click on Save. (See screenshot below)​
NOTE: You can name it anything you would like. Just have .vbs at the end of it.
Save_As_Stacked.jpg

F) Close Notepad.​

4. To Create the UndoWindows (Undo Show Side by Side or Stacked) Shortcut
A) In the white line (Start Search) area type Notepad.exe and press Enter.​
B) Copy and Paste this below into Notepad: (See code below)​

Code:
dim objShell
set objShell = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
objShell.UndoMinimizeALL
set objShell = nothing
C) In Notepad, click on File and click on Save As.​
D) Change the save location to the Desktop.​
E) In the File Name line, type UndoWindows.vbs and click on Save. (See screenshot below)​
NOTE: You can name it anything you would like. Just have .vbs at the end of it.
SaveAs_UndoWindows.jpg

F) Close Notepad.​

5. Go to OPTION THREE below.​





OPTION THREE
To Have Shortcuts with Different Icons

NOTE: The .vbs file icons from above cannot be changed. If these .vbs files are ok with you to use as the shortcut, then proceed to OPTION FOUR below.
1. Right click on one of the .vbs files (On Desktop) from OPTION ONE or OPTION TWO above and click Create Shortcut.​
2. Right click on the new shortcut (On desktop) and click Properties.​
3. For more on how to change a shortcut icon, see: How to Change a Shortcut Folder or File Icon in Vista





OPTION FOUR
How to Add Shortcuts to Quick Launch

NOTE: Quick Launch would be the easiest way to use these shortcuts, but you can have them where you like.
NOTE: See OPTION ONE under the How to Add or Remove Shortcuts to Quick Launchsection at this link.​
2. Move the new shortcuts (On Desktop) from above to inside the Quick Launch folder location.​
That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • ShowWindows.zip
    587 bytes · Views: 23,291
  • thumb_Desktop.png
    thumb_Desktop.png
    8.9 KB · Views: 442
Last edited:
Hi Brink,
I followed exactely your steps here.
For me it works only partialy : undo does not work, neither my shortcuts anymore in taskbar, so now my windows open in randomly shapes, very weird !
Is there any way I can uninstall or undo whatever these .vbs files do.
Just deleting them is not the solution.
Please help ?
Vista x64
Thank you very much.
x65wtadh
 

My Computer

Hello x65wtadh, and welcome to Vista Forums.

The VBS files are just shortcuts, and they do nothing other than run the same option used in the taskbar. There is nothing to undo from these VBS shortcuts other than to just delete them.

It appears it may be a problem with the feature itself since it does not work from the taskbar. You might see if running a SFC /SCANNOW command may be able to fix this for you.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Hi Brink,
thanks for quick answer.
No need to run SFC/SCANNOW ,after a few forced shutdowns and some black screens everything back to normal, go figure ?!
I installed Aero Snap at the same time as .vbs yesterday, may be they confused each other.
Anyway I'm back up and running . Greetz from Chicago and thanks again.
x65wtadh
 

My Computer

That's great news x65wtadh. I'm happy to hear everything is ok now. :)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Ok, I just figured out that I have to hit the reply button instead of teh Post reply button. The Post reply button was yellow and would just take me back to the login screen.

How can I stack only the windows I want? I am running WIN7 btw. I run a batch file that opens a bunch of cmd KD windows and after launching them all I want to stack (tile) just them across teh desktop. How do I use the script above to do that?

Thanks!

Jim
 

My Computer

Hello Jim, and welcome to Vista Forums.

For Windows 7 related issues, you might consider registering at our sister site Seven Forums instead. :)

You would just need to minimize the opened windows that you do not want included in the stack to the taskbar first.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
I can, but many times when the batch file is launched, there are other windows open and I would like to be able to mitigate making sure they are closed before running it. Plus, at the very least, even if I close all the windows, the batch file is opened and will be stacked as well, which I definitely don't want. :(
 

My Computer

Jim,

That's strange that the VBS file will stack as well. Do you have the VBS files unblocked and on the desktop or where you like so that you can click on them to use without having to open a folder to do so? In Windows 7, a good option would be to place the VBS files in ether Quick Launch, or in a New Folder and pin the folder to the taskbar.

Yeah, I agree that it can be a pain to have to minimize any opened windows on a screen that you do not want stacked on that screen. I find that clicking on their highlighted icon on the taskbar to minimize them makes it easier to do.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Brink,
Is there a way to add this to the context menu?
Thank you.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP-Pavilion FK786AA-ABA s3600f
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Irvine
    Memory
    2GB DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 7100
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek ALC888S
    Screen Resolution
    1024 x 768 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Hello UltimateSilence,

Well, it already is when you right click on a empty part of the taskbar if that location is ok. :)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Is there a way default "Show windows side by side" option in window 7 every time when i try to login. Instead of changing it right after login. Kindly let me know
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Windows 7
I suggest that you post in the Windows 7 forum to get more attention to your question-

Windows 7 Help Forums
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Cyberpower
    CPU
    Intel Quad CPU Q6700 2.67 GHZ
    Motherboard
    NVIDIA 780i
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GTX 560 TI Twin Frozr
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster SB Audigy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2436
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080p
    Hard Drives
    Samsung HD 105SI
    WDC WD20
    Case
    Apevia XJupiter
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX 3200
    Mouse
    Logitech MX 600
    Internet Speed
    30 Mbps
Is there a way default "Show windows side by side" option in window 7 every time when i try to login. Instead of changing it right after login. Kindly let me know

Hello deepak777, and welcome to Vista Forums.

I suppose you could try putting the "Show windows side by side" shortcut in your shell:Startup folder to see how that may work for you.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
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