Same setup as here. When I try to change the layout, Unity instantly crashes, no matter how I've got the window set up. Bugs #723873 & #723874. BTW, a "Crash" prefix would help a lot.
I know this is an old thread, but the same problem is occurring with me with the 32-bit version of Unity 5.4.0f3. I tried the 64-bit version and that did the same thing, so it seems both are doing the same thing. I've uninstalled and reinstalled both several times, and the problem still occurs.
I am also having this problem, Unity 2018.3.14f1 on Linux Mint 19. I can change some elements of the layout, but not others, and which ones appear random. I rearranged my layout just now with no issue until I tried to place the Tile Palette window. Last time it was the Animator window that did it. Choosing *any* of the layout options from the presets menu causes a crash, as well.
Same issue on 2019.1.5f resizing windows causes them to go black, and trying to change the layout makes the whole editor white and then crashes
Could you report this via the bug reporter? The reporter should popup when the editor crashes. https://unity3d.com/unity/qa/bug-reporting