Quick Start

Quick Start

This page walks through the first setup from install to restore.

Install

1. Download the newest installer from GitHub Releases.
2. Run the setup exe.
3. Open WindowAutoLayout.

The app installs for the current Windows user and does not need admin rights for normal restore, tray, hotkey, or startup behavior.

First Profile

1. Open the apps you want in your layout.
2. Open WindowAutoLayout.
3. Go to Settings and choose the default monitor.
4. Go to Profiles and select the profile to edit.
5. Go to Apps and confirm the app entries match your real apps.
6. Arrange the apps exactly how you want them.
7. Go to Layout.
8. Pick each real window and save it to the matching app entry.
9. Go to Dashboard and press Restore.

If the windows return to the saved places, the profile is ready.

Built-In Profile

The default profile is made for streaming:

• OBS Studio
• Discord

You can rename the profile, add apps, remove apps, or change the monitor target.

App Entry Basics

Setting	What To Put There
Display name	Friendly name, such as OBS Studio
Process name	Real exe name, such as obs64.exe
Executable path	Optional exact path for launching a closed app
Title rule	Optional filter if one process owns several windows
Target monitor	Optional app-specific monitor
Layout	Saved position and size

For most apps, process name and saved layout are enough.

Save A Layout

Use Layout when you want precise control.

Good flow:

1. Arrange the app manually.
2. Open Layout.
3. Select the real window.
4. Save it to the app entry.
5. Move the window away.
6. Restore from Dashboard.

If the wrong window moves, save the layout again from the correct window.

Restore From Different Places

WindowAutoLayout can restore from:

• Dashboard
• tray menu
• startup restore
• global hotkey

The default hotkey is:

Ctrl+Alt+L

Enable Startup Restore

1. Open Settings.
2. Turn on Start with Windows.
3. Turn on Restore on launch.
4. Set a startup delay long enough for Windows, OBS, Discord, and drivers to settle.
5. Open Profiles and mark the intended profile as the default startup profile.

The startup entry uses the current user's Run key and includes:

--startup-restore

Enable Layout Lock

Use layout lock when you want the profile to stay in place.

Good uses:

• streaming live
• preventing Show Desktop from hiding the setup
• recovering from accidental minimize
• recovering from accidental window drag

Turn it off when you are rearranging windows on purpose.