microsoft / microsoft/PowerToys

Grab And Move does not respond to Alt or Win modifier keys on Windows 11 23H2

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Issue-Bug Needs-Triage Product-Grab And Move
Dominant language
C
Stars
139k
Forks
8.6k
PR merge metrics
PR metrics pending

Description

### Microsoft PowerToys version

0.99.1

### Installation method

Microsoft Store

### Area(s) with issue?

Grab And Move

### Steps to reproduce

1. Install PowerToys 0.99.1 on Windows 11 23H2 (Build 22631.5624).

2. Enable Grab And Move.

3. Set modifier key to Alt.

4. Hold Alt and drag inside a window (Notepad, Chrome, PowerToys Settings).

Expected:
The window should move.

Actual:
Nothing happens. Alt is handled by the application and activates menu shortcuts instead.

5. Set modifier key to Windows key.

6. Hold Windows key and drag inside a window.

Expected:
The window should move.

Actual:
Nothing happens. Releasing the Windows key opens the Start Menu.

Additional information:

* GrabAndMove.exe is running in Task Manager.
* PowerToys is running as Administrator.
* Always On Top works correctly.
* FancyZones works correctly.
* The issue occurs with multiple applications.

### ✔️ Expected Behavior

Holding the configured modifier key (Alt or Windows) and dragging with the mouse should move the target window.

### ❌ Actual Behavior

Grab And Move does not react to either modifier key.

With Alt selected:

* Alt activates application menu shortcuts.

With Windows selected:

* Releasing the Windows key opens the Start Menu.

No window movement occurs.

### Upload Bug Report ZIP-file

[PowerToysReport_2026-05-29-10-20-39.zip](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/28373990/PowerToysReport_2026-05-29-10-20-39.zip)

### Additional Information

OS version:
Windows 11 23H2 (22631.5624)

System language:
Chinese (Simplified)

Running as admin:
Yes

Additional notes:
- GrabAndMove.exe is running.
- PowerToys is running as administrator.
- Always On Top works correctly.
- FancyZones works correctly.
- Grab And Move does not react to Alt or Windows modifier keys.

Screenshots attached below.

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### Other Software

_No response_

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reproducing the issue with GrabAndMove.exe on Windows 11 23H2, testing Alt and Windows as described across Notepad, Chrome, and PowerToys Settings. Trace the Grab And Move modifier-key handling and verify that the configured key is captured instead of activating menus or Start; done means dragging moves the target window with both modifiers.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
c
Domain
desktop, operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
48/100

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