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For a quick two-window split in Windows 11, drag one window to the left or right edge of the screen—or select it and press Windows+Left or Windows+Right. Choose another open window when Snap Assist offers it. To arrange three or more windows, open Snap layouts with Windows+Z or hover over the maximize button, then choose a layout and fill its spaces.

Choose the right way to arrange your windows

What you want to do Use this method
Split the screen between two apps Drag a window to a screen edge or use Windows+Left/Right, then select the other app in Snap Assist.
Fit three or more apps on one display Open Snap layouts with Windows+Z or hover over the maximize button, then select a layout and fill its open spaces.
Move a window to another monitor Use Windows+Shift+Left/Right to move the active window to the adjacent monitor.
Keep separate sets of work apart Create and switch between virtual desktops with Task View or the Windows+Ctrl shortcuts.

Microsoft describes Snap as a way to arrange open windows using a mouse, touch, or keyboard in its Snap Your Windows guidance. The layout is the arrangement you choose; Snap Assist helps you select other open windows to fill its empty spaces.

Split two windows side by side

  1. Open both apps you want to use.
  2. Select the first window and drag it to the left or right edge of the display until it snaps into place. Alternatively, press Windows+Left or Windows+Right.
  3. When Snap Assist shows other open windows, select one to fill the remaining side.

This is a straightforward setup for keeping a document beside a reference or comparing two pages. If Snap Assist does not appear, choose the second window yourself and snap it to the other side.

Arrange three or more windows with Snap layouts

  1. Open the apps you want to arrange.
  2. On the window you want to place first, hover over the maximize button, or press Windows+Z to open Snap layouts.
  3. Select one of the layouts shown for your display.
  4. Choose open windows for the remaining spaces when Snap Assist presents them.

The choices are not identical on every PC: Microsoft notes that available Snap layouts depend on display size. If you see a different set from a screenshot or another device, choose the layout that suits the options shown on your screen. You can also use Windows+Arrow to move the active window through available positions; the result depends on its current position and state.

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Resize snapped windows

Drag the divider between snapped windows to change their relative sizes. Microsoft says adjoining snapped windows adjust together so the group continues to fit alongside one another. This lets you give a primary app more room without abandoning the arrangement.

Use keyboard shortcuts for placement and movement

  • Windows+Left/Right: Snap the active window to the left or right side.
  • Windows+Up/Down: Move or adjust the active window through available positions. The resulting placement depends on its current snapped or maximized state.
  • Windows+Z: Open Snap layouts.
  • Windows+Shift+Left/Right: Move the active window to the monitor on the left or right.
  • Windows+Tab: Open Task View.

These shortcuts are listed in Microsoft’s Keyboard shortcuts in Windows reference. The monitor shortcut moves a window to an adjacent monitor; it does not create a new desktop.

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Use virtual desktops to separate workspaces

Snapping arranges windows together on a desktop. Virtual desktops instead let you keep different sets of work in separate workspaces, such as one for a project and another for personal tasks.

  • Windows+Ctrl+D: Create a new virtual desktop.
  • Windows+Ctrl+Left/Right: Switch to the desktop on the left or right.
  • Windows+Ctrl+F4: Close the current desktop.
  • Windows+Tab: Open Task View to see desktops and windows.

To choose which desktops appear in taskbar and Alt+Tab views, go to Settings > System > Multitasking and review the desktop options. Microsoft’s Configure Multiple Desktops in Windows explains these visibility choices.

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Check Snap settings if it is unavailable or behaves differently

  1. Open Settings > System > Multitasking.
  2. Find the Snap windows controls and check whether Snap is enabled.
  3. Review the available options for Snap suggestions, showing layouts on hover or when dragging to the top, Snap Groups, and snapping without dragging all the way to an edge.

Microsoft lists these controls in Snap Your Windows. The exact options and labels can vary, so use the controls currently shown on your Windows 11 device.

Quick Recap

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Dell Latitude 5420 14' FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
Dell Latitude 5420 14" FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
256 GB SSD of storage.; Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM; Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
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14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
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Windows 11 Laptop with i3 Processor 15.6" Work Laptop for College Students
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15.6 Inch Laptop Computer, N4020, 4GB DDR4 RAM, 128GB eMMC,with Windows 11
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