Summary:
Feature request to allow users to control the resize zone threshold at window edges or enable window resizing from anywhere inside the window while holding the resize modifier key (e.g., Meta).
Problem / Use Case:
Currently in GNOME, window resizing is only triggered when the cursor is within a small threshold zone near the edges or corners of a window. This threshold is designed to prevent accidental resize attempts while interacting with window content. However, it can make resizing frustrating, especially on high-DPI screens or thin window borders, as the user must precisely target this narrow area to start resizing.
Allowing users to adjust the size of this threshold zone or providing an option to resize by dragging from anywhere inside the window (while holding the resize key) would improve usability and flexibility. It would reduce the need to carefully position the cursor and speed up window management workflows.
Proposed Solution:
Add a setting to control the resize threshold zone size or enable resizing from anywhere inside the window when a modifier key is held. This could be implemented as an optional user preference in GNOME Tweaks or the Settings app.
Priority / Impact:
Medium — This change would enhance the user experience, especially for users on large or high-resolution displays, and those who frequently resize windows.
You can resize a window from anywhere inside the window by holding Super and pressing the middle mouse button. The button can also be changed to the right mouse button using dconf-editor /org/gnome/desktop/wm/preferences/resize-with-right-button and the key follows what is set in dconf-editor /org/gnome/desktop/wm/preferences/mouse-button-modifier.
Thank you for your prompt response. I have both those settings enabled in dconf-editor (dconf-editor /org/gnome/desktop/wm/preferences/resize-with-right-button as well as set with dconf-editor /org/gnome/desktop/wm/preferences/mouse-button-modifier). My window resize with the “right-button” only works within a certain threshold (It seems to be about 30% from each side of the window border).
When I try to do the window resize with and the middle mouse button it actually switches workspaces (both with and without these settings enabled).
Is there something that I’m missing? Please let me know if you need any other settings/information from me? This would be an incredible addition to my workflow!
Are you using a trackpoint? Those by default send scroll events when moved while holding the middle button and Super + scroll changes workspaces. That can be changed using dconf-editor /org/gnome/desktop/peripherals/pointingstick/scroll-method.
I’ve been using a TrackPoint, but I still haven’t found a solution to this issue. After changing the scroll method, I noticed that the + middle-click behavior changed — instead of switching workspaces with TrackPoint motion, it now just opens the GNOME window menu (the same one you get from right-clicking the title bar).
I’m wondering if there might be a setting that’s causing + middle-click to override the resize action.
To restate the core problem: I can resize windows by holding and right-clicking almost anywhere on the window, but resizing only works within certain areas. It seems that only about 30% of the window area from each side allows resizing; the middle portion doesn’t respond.
My question is whether it’s possible to resize from the very center of the window using + right-click.
If you changed resize-with-right-button to true, this will cause the window to be resized using right click and the menu to be opened using middle click. If you set it to the default value of false, it would resize using middle click and open the menu using right click.
In the center of the window it is unclear whether a motion is intended to increase the width on one side or shrink it on the opposite side, so I assume that’s why this is limited to areas where the intention is clear.
There is also Alt+F8, which allows resizing the window in a different way that does not care about where the cursor is currently placed. It will resize the window in the direction in which you first move the cursor after pressing the keys.