The “title bar window shake” feature is a creative way to organize your desktop in Windows 11. When enabled, multitaskers can simply grab the active window, then shake it to restore or minimize other programs and apps.
With that said, it can also be a distraction for users who prefer a more streamlined experience. As IT managers, you can expect requests about this feature to go either way, and you can use the methods we’ve outlined below.
Methods for configuring the “Title bar window shake” feature
Use the table to choose and quickly navigate to your preferred activation steps.
📌 Recommended deployment strategies:
Click to Choose a Method | 💻 Best for Individual Users | 💻💻💻 Best for Enterprises |
| Method 1: Windows Settings | ✓ | |
| Method 2: Windows Registry | ✓ | |
| Method 3: PowerShell script | ✓ |
💡 Tip: Check out the Things to look out for section to optimize your action plan and manage risks.
Method 1: Configure “Title bar window shake” via Settings
This method is best for self-service or Remote Desktop Protocol configuration.
📌 Use case: Remote activations; personal devices
📌 Prerequisites: None
- Open Settings from Search 🔎 or press Win + I.
- Navigate to System → Multitasking.
- Toggle Title bar window shake on or off as required.
This new setting immediately applies to the active user.
Method 2: Configure “Title bar window shake” via Registry
These steps can be used by advanced users to configure personal and managed devices.
📌 Use case: For systems without GPO access
📌 Prerequisite: Administrative privileges
- Press Win + R, type regedit, and tap OK to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to or copy and paste the following path to the Registry address bar.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Create the required key if the path is incomplete. - Modify or create the DisallowShaking DWORD (32-bit) value.
- Open it and set its Value data according to your preferences.
- 0 = Enable “Title bar window shake” (default).
- 1 = Disable “Title bar window shake”.
⚠️ Warning: Editing the database can cause system issues. Create a registry backup before proceeding.
Method 3: Configure “Title bar window shake” via PowerShell script
PowerShell scripts are often used for task automation and software deployment.
📌 Use case: Automation, RMM
📌 Prerequisite: Administrative privileges
(A) PowerShell script to disable “Title bar window shake”
- Open PowerShell from Search 🔎 and select Run as administrator.
- Use the following command:
Set-ItemProperty -Path
“HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced” `
-Name “DisallowShaking” -Value 1
Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force
(B) PowerShell script to enable “Title bar window shake”
- Open PowerShell from Search 🔎 and select Run as administrator.
- Use the following command:
Set-ItemProperty -Path
“HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced” `
-Name “DisallowShaking” -Value 0
Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force
Running the script may not generate a confirmation or prompt. To verify if changes have been applied as intended, you may check the Windows Registry or the corresponding GUI settings.
⚠️ Things to look out for when configuring “Title bar window shake”
Missing something? Consider these scenarios and tips for handling errors, preventing system issues, and reinforcing policies.
Risks and Considerations | Potential Consequences/Scenarios | Reversals and Tips |
| Per user activation | This setting is user-specific unless applied to the default profile. | N/A |
| No GPO support | Updating the setting across multiple devices via GPO is not available. | Consider editing the registry or using a script to deploy in enterprise environments. |
Apart from the “Title bar window shake” feature, Microsoft offers a few other multitasking features and tools that you can use directly from your Windows desktop.
Best practices using the “Title bar windows shake” feature
The title bar windows shake or Aero Shake feature can be a convenient multitasking shortcut or a bit of a distracting element for users, depending on the production demands and environment.
With that said, this feature also has limited functionality when it comes to opening new windows and tabs. As a result, user preferences may vary unless a deployment policy is used to make the experience consistent for all endpoints.
