Getting familiar with split screens on Windows can seriously boost productivity. It’s kinda weird how Windows doesn’t make this obvious anymore, but dragging windows to the edges still does the trick if you know where to look. Sometimes the snapping feature just doesn’t work right out of the box, or maybe you’ve disabled some settings without realizing it. Either way, this can be a game-changer if you’re tired of constantly tabbing back and forth or trying to resize windows manually. Once set up, it’s pretty smooth sailing — you get multiple windows side by side, making multitasking a lot easier.
How to Do a Split Screen on Windows
Open all the stuff you want fast
Before messing with snap, open everything you plan to use. That way, when it’s time to snap, all your apps are ready. It helps keep things from getting chaotic. Also, check if your Windows version is up to date — sometimes feature weirdness comes from outdated OS versions.
Step 1: Snap a window to the side
- Click and hold the title bar of a window, then drag it to the left or right edge of the screen. On some setups, it takes a quick second to ‘catch’ but roughly, drag it until you see a faint outline or shadow showing where it will snap.
- When it snaps into place, it’ll fill half the screen. If it doesn’t work the first time, try doing it again — Windows can be finicky sometimes.
Step 2: Pick the other window
- After your first window is in position, Windows should display thumbnails of other open apps on the opposite side. If not, you might need to manually open what you want.
- Click on the one you want, and it’ll snap to fill the other half. Easy, right?
Step 3: Tweak the size
- Drag the divider line in the middle to resize both windows. This works smoothly — drag left to give more space to the window on the right, or vice versa.
- Sometimes Windows gets glitchy here, especially after updates, but generally, it’s reliable.
Step 4: Full-size / un-snap
- To go back to a full window, just drag it away from the edge or double-click the title bar. That’s straightforward — no hidden options needed.
- Just note: sometimes, a restart of Windows or the app itself helps if snapping refuses to work. It’s annoying, but true.
Tips for Making Split Screens Work Better
- Keyboard shortcut: Windows + Left or Windows + Right quick snapping. Works some of the time, but given that it doesn’t always focus correctly, it’s worth practicing.
- Task View (press Windows + Tab) helps switch between multiple windows — handy if you want to combine this with snap for a quick workflow boost.
- Snap Assist should be on by default. Check under Settings > System > Multitasking and toggling Snap windows on, just in case it’s off. Sometimes updates reset this stuff.
- Want four windows? Drag each into a corner for a quadrant grid. Can be tricky but doable. Windows 11 makes this easier; Windows 10, a bit more manual.
- Multiple desktops are your friends if the split isn’t enough. Use Windows + Ctrl + D to add new desktops for separate tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enable Snap Assist on Windows?
It’s probably already enabled, but just in case, head over to Settings > System > Multitasking and toggle Snap windows on. Confirm that Show snap layouts when I hover over a window or similar options are activated, especially if you’re on Windows 11.
Can I split my screen into more than two windows?
Yep, up to four applications can be snapped into the quadrants. Drag into corners or use the snap assist if you like visual hints, which makes it easier to position things precisely.
What if snapping just doesn’t work?
Check if Snap Assist is enabled. Restart your PC — Windows sometimes gets weird after updates. Or, disable then re-enable the feature in Settings. Also, make sure your display driver is current — graphics card issues can mess with snapping, too.
Are there keyboard shortcuts for split screen?
Totally. Like I said, Windows + Left Arrow or Windows + Right Arrow do the job most of the time. Use Windows + Up or Down to maximize or minimize, if needed. But, fair warning: depending on your system, some shortcuts might not work perfectly, especially with custom setups or older Windows versions.
Can I do this in Windows 7?
Kind of. It’s more manual, just dragging windows to the sides. No Snap Assist, no fancy grid system. Windows 7 supported dragging to snap, but it’s not as intuitive or flexible as in Windows 10 or 11. Of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Summary
- Open your apps and ready your windows.
- Drag a window to the screen edge until it snaps.
- Pick another for the opposite side.
- Adjust by dragging the divider line in the middle.
- Double-click or drag away to un-snap and maximize.
Wrap-up
Getting the hang of split screens might be a little frustrating at first, especially if Windows isn’t cooperating. Once you figure out the shortcuts and settings, though, it really speeds things up. No more frantically resizing or alt-tabbing like a lunatic — everything’s right there, side by side. Just keep in mind: Windows occasionally needs a restart or an update check if things go sideways, so don’t be surprised if it’s not perfect right away. Hope this saves some time or stress for someone out there. Fingers crossed it helps!