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To snap the active window left or right, press Windows + Left Arrow or Windows + Right Arrow. Press Windows + Z to choose a Snap layout, or use Windows + Alt + Up Arrow/Down Arrow to snap to the top or bottom half. Some arrow-key actions depend on the window’s current state and how you use the sequence.
Windows 11 window-snapping shortcuts at a glance
| Shortcut | Documented action | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Windows + Left Arrow | Snap the active window to the left side, typically the left half. | Use this for a direct side placement. |
| Windows + Right Arrow | Snap the active window to the right side, typically the right half. | Use this for a direct side placement. |
| Windows + Up Arrow | Microsoft’s shortcut list describes this as maximizing the active window. | In its Snap instructions, Microsoft also describes using Windows key plus arrow keys to position a window. The result can depend on the window’s state and the sequence. |
| Windows + Down Arrow | Microsoft’s shortcut list describes this as minimizing the active window. | In a Snap positioning sequence, the down arrow may continue positioning the window. Its effect is not identical in every context. |
| Windows + Alt + Up Arrow | Snap the active window to the top half. | A direct top-half command listed in Microsoft’s shortcut reference. |
| Windows + Alt + Down Arrow | Snap the active window to the bottom half. | A direct bottom-half command listed in Microsoft’s shortcut reference. |
| Windows + Z | Open Snap layouts. | Choose a layout from the flyout, then place the active window within it. |
| Windows + Shift + Down Arrow | Restore a snapped or maximized window. | A related window-management command, rather than a basic direction-to-side shortcut. |
| Windows + Shift + Up Arrow | Stretch a desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen. | A related sizing command, not the direct top-half snap shortcut. |
Microsoft’s shortcut reference and Snap guide describe some Windows-key-plus-arrow behavior differently: the shortcut list assigns maximize or minimize actions to individual key presses, while the Snap guide describes directional positioning. Treat the arrow keys as context- and state-dependent rather than assuming each press always produces one fixed snap position. Microsoft’s Windows keyboard shortcut reference and its Snap instructions document these commands.
How to snap a window to the left or right
- Click the window you want to arrange so it is active.
- Press Windows + Left Arrow to snap it left, or Windows + Right Arrow to snap it right.
- If Windows offers thumbnails of other open windows, select one to fill the remaining space. This helper is called Snap Assist.
Microsoft describes the side shortcuts as snapping a window to the corresponding screen side, and its multitasking guide confirms that Snap Assist can offer other open windows after the first window is snapped. Microsoft’s multitasking guide
How to snap a window to the top or bottom half
For a direct top- or bottom-half placement, use Windows + Alt + Up Arrow or Windows + Alt + Down Arrow. Microsoft lists these shortcuts for snapping the active window to the top and bottom halves, respectively.
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You can also use the Windows key with arrow keys as a positioning sequence, but results depend on the active window’s current state. In particular, Microsoft separately lists Windows + Up Arrow as maximize and Windows + Down Arrow as minimize. If you need a predictable half-screen placement, use the Alt-plus-arrow commands or choose a layout with Snap layouts.
How to choose a Snap layout with the keyboard
- Activate the window you want to arrange.
- Press Windows + Z to open the Snap layouts flyout.
- Select a layout and choose the position for the active window.
- Use Snap Assist, if offered, to fill remaining spaces with other open windows.
You can also open the flyout by hovering over a window’s maximize or restore button. The layouts offered can vary with display size; the available choices are not necessarily the same on every screen. Microsoft describes Snap layouts as predetermined arrangements for organizing open windows. Snap Your Windows
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Where to change Snap settings
Open Settings > System > Multitasking to manage Snap behavior. The page includes the overall Snap windows control and options related to the Snap flyout, Snap Assist, Snap bar, and Snap Groups. If snapping or its prompts are not behaving as you expect, check that Snap windows is enabled and review the individual options on this page.
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Which shortcut should you use?
- Two side-by-side windows: use Windows + Left Arrow or Windows + Right Arrow, then select another window in Snap Assist if it appears.
- A top or bottom half: use Windows + Alt + Up Arrow or Windows + Alt + Down Arrow.
- A multi-window arrangement: open Snap layouts with Windows + Z and choose a layout.
- Restore a maximized or snapped window: use Windows + Shift + Down Arrow.
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