Mastering Window Management in macOS: Understanding Sequoia’s New Features
Adjusting the size of application windows to your preference on macOS can be frustrating when a minor adjustment suddenly causes the window to expand and consume your entire screen. This unexpected behavior stems from recent updates in System Settings > Desktop & Dock under the Windows section, designed to enhance window management, but one feature may warrant disabling.
What’s New in Window Management for macOS Sequoia
The transition from macOS 14 Sonoma to 15 Sequoia has introduced significant enhancements within the Windows settings. In previous versions like 13 Ventura and 14 Sonoma, users were limited to three basic options: “Prefer tabs when opening documents,” “Ask before closing documents with unsaved changes,” and “Close windows upon quitting applications.” However, with Sequoia, four additional features have been integrated:
- Drag windows to edges for tiling
- Drag windows up to menu bar for full-screen mode
- Hold [Option] key while dragging for tiling functions
- Tiled interfaces come with margins
The Power of Tiling Options in Workflow Optimization
The newly implemented tiling features offer practical shortcuts that greatly assist users aiming for streamlined window organization. Moreover, by hovering over the green zoom button located at the upper-left corner of any application window, a dropdown menu appears featuring various options dedicated to arranging and resizing your workspace efficiently. For those seeking even more customizable tiling functionalities, consider exploring third-party applications like Moom—which provides an extensive set of controls (check out our detailed review).
A Cautionary Note on Full-Screen Functionality
If you’ve found yourself grappling with unwanted window resizing incidents, look no further than the option labeled “Drag windows up to menu bar for full screen.” It only takes a slight misstep during movement for your application’s window size unexpectedly change. Unless you foresee using this function frequently enough that its benefits outweigh its potential pitfalls, disabling this option is recommended. This precaution allows access to other helpful features without risking accidental alterations.
Your Questions Answered: Mac 911 Insights
This article is crafted as part of a response addressing a query submitted by Cynthia from our Macworld readership.