How to Split Screen in Windows 11 With Snap Layouts

How to Split Screen in Windows 11 With Snap Layouts

Windows 11 can place two, three or four windows side by side so you can work in them at the same time - for example, a document next to a browser. The feature is called Snap, and you can use it with the mouse or the keyboard.

Method 1: Drag a Window to the Edge

1. Drag a window by its title bar to the left or right edge of the screen.
2. When a see-through outline appears, let go. The window fills that half.
3. Windows shows thumbnails of your other open windows on the other half (this is called Snap Assist). Select one to fill the space.

Drag a window into a corner instead to snap it to a quarter of the screen - handy on a large monitor.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcuts

• Windows key + Left arrow or Windows key + Right arrow: snap the current window to the left or right half.
• Then Windows key + Up arrow or Down arrow: move a half-snapped window to a top or bottom quarter.
• Windows key + Up arrow on a normal window: maximize it. Windows key + Down arrow: restore or minimize it.

After you snap the first window, Snap Assist appears. Use the arrow keys and Enter to choose the second window.

Method 3: Snap Layouts (Win + Z)

Snap layouts shows ready-made layouts - two halves, a large and a small window, three columns, four quarters and more. The choices depend on your screen size.

1. Hover the mouse over a window's maximize button (the square next to X), or press Windows key + Z.
2. Pick the layout, then the zone where this window should go.
3. Choose the other windows for the remaining zones.

On newer versions of Windows 11, you can also drag a window to the top of the screen to show the Snap bar with the same layouts.

Snap Groups: Switch Back to the Whole Layout

Windows remembers windows you snapped together as a Snap group. Hover over one of those apps on the taskbar and pick the group to bring the whole layout back at once. Snap groups also appear in Task View and Alt + Tab.

Snap Not Working? Check the Settings

1. Go to Settings > System > Multitasking.
2. Make sure Snap windows is On.
3. Expand Snap windows and check the options. They include:
4. show snap layouts when you hover over the maximize button, or drag a window to the top of the screen;
5. show what I can snap next to it (Snap Assist);
6. show my snapped windows when I hover over taskbar apps (Snap groups);
7. snap windows without dragging them all the way to the screen edge.

The exact option names differ a little between Windows 11 versions.

Other reasons Snap won't work:

• The app has a fixed-size window. Some small tools and older programs can't be resized, so they can't be snapped.
• Tablet or small screen. On small screens, Windows shows fewer layouts.
• Windows key not responding? If the Windows key + arrow shortcuts do nothing, see Windows key not working in Windows 11.

Tips for Working Side by Side

• Resize the split: drag the line between two snapped windows to make one bigger. The other one adjusts.
• Two monitors: each monitor has its own snap zones. Windows key + Shift + Left/Right arrow moves a window to the other monitor. If the second screen isn't detected, see second monitor not detected in Windows 11.
• Too many windows? Put different tasks on separate virtual desktops with Windows key + Ctrl + D (new desktop) and Windows key + Ctrl + Left/Right arrow (switch).

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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See Also:windows 11 snap multitasking