In Windows 11, a floating window is essentially any window that you can freely reposition on your screen.
A floating window is one that you can freely move by clicking and dragging it. This means you can place it anywhere on your desktop that isn't anchored to a specific section through features like snapping or tiling.
Windows 11 introduces some refinements to how windows are handled, even when they are not floating but are being moved or docked. The operating system is designed to help you manage multiple open windows more efficiently. For instance, Windows 11 remembers previous window docking positions and sizes, which is an update from past versions. This helps restore your preferred layouts quickly.
While the definition of a floating window focuses on its ability to be freely moved, other window behaviors are also relevant to managing your workspace in Windows 11. For example, the reference mentions that selecting the window's title bar twice is one option for docking windows. This highlights the various ways you can interact with windows in Windows 11, whether you're keeping them floating or organizing them using docking features like Snap Layouts.
In summary, a floating window is simply a standard application window that you haven't docked or snapped, allowing you to click and drag it anywhere on your desktop. Windows 11 enhances the overall window management experience by remembering layouts and offering easy ways to switch between floating and docked states.