In Gmail on a computer, a separate composer window can make a draft easier to work on while you reference the inbox. Open the existing draft first. Starting another Compose message is not the same as moving the draft you already wrote.
Locate and preserve the intended draft
Open Drafts or the conversation containing the unfinished reply. Check the account, recipients, subject, and text before changing its window. If there is a save or connection warning, preserve important text before continuing.
Do not discard the draft to close it. Gmail normally retains a draft when you close its composer appropriately; the trash-can action has a different effect.
Use the composer’s window controls
Look at the size controls in the top-right corner of the composer. Google’s computer writing guide distinguishes full screen, leaving full screen, and opening in a new window; it shows the separate-window action with Shift plus the window control.
Use the applicable control for the draft you have open. A full-screen composer still belongs to the Gmail page, whereas a separate browser window can be moved independently. For an inline reply, Gmail also documents an Open in a pop-up control.
Keep a new draft and an existing one separate
Gmail’s keyboard shortcuts include ways to compose or reply in another tab. Those shortcuts can start a new message or reply; do not assume they relocate the particular saved draft you meant to continue.
After opening the new window, check that the intended text and recipients are there before closing anything else. If two composers exist, identify their subjects and contents rather than deleting one based only on its position.
Check browser behavior narrowly
If the expected window does not appear, look for an existing window or a browser notice about that action. Review site-specific handling rather than disabling all browser protections. These instructions concern the desktop web composer; a mobile app does not necessarily offer the same window controls. When finished, confirm the draft is saved or the message appears in Sent, according to the action you intended.
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References
Reviewed against the linked official and developer guidance on October 27, 2026. Available options and screen labels can vary by account, device, region, and organization policy.