MacBook Pro application windows automatically resize

Question

MacBook Pro application windows automatically resize

Running Tahoe 26.2 on a MacBook Pro 14-inch, Nov 2023 with M3 Max chip. When I Option+Click the green button in the top left in an application to maximize the window, then Option+Drag the window to shrink side-to-side, and then drag the window to the left or right from the top bar, the window automatically resizes itself to some seemingly random size.

Any thoughts on how to stop this? I've turned off the System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Windows options. It happens in most applications.

I do have two monitors running. Wondering if that's a factor. I typically use the larger, BenQ PD3220U monitor, but the behavior happens no matter which monitor I'm using. I have them set up in a Main Display / Extended Display arrangement, not as a mirrored arrangement.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

MacBook Pro 14″

Posted on Jan 12, 2026 5:29 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 12, 2026 8:23 AM in response to Ashforth Marketing

What exactly are you trying to achieve? As far as I can tell, once you put it, say, on the left side, and then you start to drag, it basically undoes what you had done. It may seem wrong to you, but from my point of view it makes sense: you made it half width on the left; now you are releasing back to previous state.

Instead, manually resize the window and you can move around freely.

FWIW, instead of making the window full size and then option-dragging, I find it quicker to click and hold the green button, then select the desired side:

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Answer 2

Jan 12, 2026 8:50 AM in response to Ashforth Marketing

AFAICT, this is akin to when you put a window in full screen. The moment you take it out of full screen, it resumes its old size. In this case, the moment it ceases being confined to the left side, it resumes its old size.

I understand that it may seem awkward seeing the window change as you drag it, and I don't have a Mac running Sequoia or earlier handy to compare. It's quite possible that this is new, but then there are several new window behaviors in Tahoe.

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Answer 3

Jan 12, 2026 8:45 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I guess it's an unexpected behavior that's bothering me. Once I start resizing a window and dragging it around the screen, regardless of how, I expect it to stay the size and in the location I put it...and it isn't. This behavior is new to Tahoe as far as I can tell and I'm not a fan.

In the scheme of things, it's certainly a minor concern, and now that I think about it, I'm kind of embarrassed even bringing it up considering the state of things today.

Thanks for your time.

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