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Windows 11’s built-in multitasking tools let you arrange apps side by side, switch between them, review open windows, and separate work into desktops. Use Snap to keep windows visible together, Alt+Tab to change apps quickly, Task View to manage windows and desktops, and multiple desktops to keep projects apart. You can use all four without an extra display.
Which Windows 11 multitasking feature should you use?
| What you want to do | Use |
|---|---|
| Keep several windows visible on one screen | Snap |
| Bring another open app forward | Alt+Tab |
| Scan open windows or manage desktops | Task View |
| Keep different projects in separate workspaces | Multiple desktops |
| Spread the desktop across more screen area | Extend to an external display |
How do you split the screen with Snap?
Snap arranges windows into predefined positions, such as halves or corners. You can use a mouse or keyboard; the layouts available can vary with display size. Microsoft’s Snap windows guide describes the available methods and settings.
Snap a window to the side
- Drag a window to the left or right edge of the screen and release it, or select the window and press Windows key + Left Arrow or Windows key + Right Arrow.
- If Snap Assist appears, select an open window to fill the remaining space.
Choose a Snap layout
- Hover over a window’s maximize button, or press Windows key + Z.
- Choose a layout, then select open windows for the other spaces.
To create a corner arrangement, snap windows into the desired positions. Drag the divider between adjacent snapped windows to adjust their relative sizes. Windows can retain an arrangement as a Snap group, which you can return to from a relevant taskbar app, Task View, or Alt+Tab.
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Open Settings > System > Multitasking to turn Snap on or off and adjust options such as Snap Assist suggestions, layout flyouts, the top-of-screen Snap bar, and whether snapped groups appear while switching apps.
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How do you switch between open apps?
Press and hold Alt, then press Tab to cycle through open applications. Release Alt when the app you want is selected. To change whether recent Microsoft Edge tabs appear in the switcher, open Settings > System > Multitasking and adjust the Alt+Tab option.
How do you see all open windows with Task View?
Task View gives you an overview of open windows and desktop thumbnails. Open it by selecting the Task View button on the taskbar or pressing Windows key + Tab. Select a window to bring it forward, create a desktop, or move a window to another desktop. If the Task View button is missing, change its visibility in taskbar settings. Microsoft’s multiple desktops guide explains using Task View to manage desktops and windows.
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How do you switch between desktops in Windows 11?
Desktops let you keep separate sets of windows for different projects or contexts. Create one with Windows key + Ctrl + D. Switch to the desktop on the left or right with Windows key + Ctrl + Left Arrow or Windows key + Ctrl + Right Arrow. Close the current desktop with Windows key + Ctrl + F4. These shortcuts are also listed in Microsoft’s Windows keyboard shortcuts reference.
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- Press Windows key + Tab, then select New desktop.
- Open the apps you want to use in that desktop.
- To move an existing window, open Task View and drag it onto another desktop, or right-click the window and choose Move to.
Closing a desktop does not close its apps: Windows moves the open windows to the next available desktop. In Settings > System > Multitasking, desktop settings let you choose whether windows from all desktops or only the current desktop appear on the taskbar and in Alt+Tab.
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How do you use Windows 11 across multiple displays?
An external display is optional; Snap, app switching, Task View, and desktops work without one. To spread the desktop across connected screens, press Windows key + P and select Extend. Microsoft’s multiple-monitor guide explains the display modes.
Quick Recap
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- 15.6-INCH FULL HD DISPLAY: Enjoy immersive visuals on the 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with micro-edge bezels. Delivers clear details and comfortable viewing for long study sessions, working on spreadsheets, and video playback
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- Extend: use the desktop across displays and move items between screens.
- Duplicate: show the same content on all displays.
- PC screen only: use the PC’s display alone.
- Second screen only: use the external display alone.
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