Window position on laptop with external monitor

[DirkW]

Hi all,

I use a Windows 11 laptop with a docking station, where an additional monitor is plugged (typical HomeOffice setup).
Then I ran FFS on that additional monitor and let it do the job, which ends in a powersafe mode of the laptop.
So a while later I unplug the laptop to do something somewhere else, but the FFS is still running in a 'finished' state.
And here comes the issue: FFS "insists" on being displayed on a monitor, that is no longer present (only the laptop builtin monitor). I can't reach it until I plugin the laptop again.
My expectation is, that FFS recognizes the desktop size change and adapts accordingly to it.
All other tools, that I use, are doing it.

Regards
Dirk

[xCSxXenon]

One way to fix this is to ALT-TAB to select the open FFS window, then use WIN-SHFT + an arror key to move it to your monitor

[Zenju]

WIN-SHFT + an arror key to move it to your monitor

This is so cool! I always did this crazy dance instead: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20090511-00/?p=18303

@DirkW: Please try again with FreeFileSync 14.9, where I rewrote large parts of the positioning logic.

[DirkW]

@All:
THX for your replies.

@xCSxXenon:
THX for the hint. I know about this and use those key combis to arrange/move windows easily around all day.

@Zenju:
I have totally forgotten to mention the FFS version number (14.8). Ooops.
Now I have installed 14.9, but sadly the issue still exists.
My observation is, that this is related to the progress popup window. The normal program window reacts to the desktop resizing as expected.
I think, that this progress popup is either not selectable by ALT-TAB or doesn't react to WIN-SHFT + arrow.

Here the detailed reproduction steps:
- Start FFS and place it on the additional monitor
- Start an action -> progress popup appears
- Select for 'after finished' the option 'System: Save energy'
- Let the action finish and the system go into 'energy safe'
- Unplug the docking station
- Startup the laptop
- Now the FFS appears in the taskbar, but is not visible, selectable or movable.

I know, that this is maybe a rare case. Even I select normally 'System Shutdown'.
And there is an easy solution to 'get it right' again, by plugging the dockingstation again.
But anyway I would appreciate a solution for this.

Regards
Dirk

[John1234]

You can try windows powertoys.
One of its sub applications is the ability to create pre-allocated positions on your screen for applications to go to.
You can have free file sync open every time into a specific window on a specific monitor every time.

The feature is called fancy zones

[xCSxXenon]

You can try windows powertoys.
One of its sub applications is the ability to create pre-allocated positions on your screen for applications to go to.
You can have free file sync open every time into a specific window on a specific monitor every time.

The feature is called fancy zones

OP's issue is after FFS has already been opened, not before

[John1234]

Understood. It doesn't mean that using this option is not a valid way of fixing the problem.

Launch power toys first which it runs with Windows and then fancy zones is pre-configured with where you want your apps to go and then free file sync should open in that window and stay there.

Worth a try.

[Zenju]

Here the detailed reproduction steps:
- Start FFS and place it on the additional monitor
- Start an action -> progress popup appears
- Select for 'after finished' the option 'System: Save energy'
- Let the action finish and the system go into 'energy safe'
- Unplug the docking station
- Startup the laptop
- Now the FFS appears in the taskbar, but is not visible, selectable or movable.

I can't reproduce this. But I also don't have a docking station to test. But in a multi-monitor test case, the app is placed on the first monitor upon resume from sleep. In a second test I woke the multi-monitor machine via remote desktop from a (single-monitor) laptop. FFS app is visible here, too.
But this is all due to Windows default behavior, FFS doesn't have any special window handling in this area.

[DirkW]

The main FFS window is NOT the problem.
The progress popup window is, when it stops at the end of the process with a 'success' message and stays open, when entering the sleep mode.

[Zenju]

In my tests *both* main window and popup dialog are moved to the first monitor after resume from sleep, even though both were at the second monitor before going to sleep.