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How to Split Screen in Windows 11 Using Snap Layouts

Open Snap Layouts with Windows key + Z or the maximize-button flyout, choose a position, and use Snap Assist to fill the other spaces.
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To split your screen with Snap Layouts, hover over a window’s maximize or restore button, or press Windows key + Z. Choose a layout and a position for that window, then select another open app in Snap Assist to fill the remaining space. For a quick two-window split, press Windows key + Left Arrow or Windows key + Right Arrow.

Choose a way to snap your windows

Method How to start Best for
Maximize-button flyout Hover over the window’s maximize or restore button. Choosing visually from the layouts available on your display.
Snap Layouts shortcut Press Windows key + Z. Opening the same layout picker from the keyboard.
Snap bar Drag a window toward the top edge of the screen. Starting a layout while moving a window with the mouse.
Arrow-key snapping Press Windows key + Left Arrow or Windows key + Right Arrow. Quickly placing a window on the left or right for a simple split.

Snap is built into Windows. Microsoft documents arranging windows with a mouse, touch, or keyboard; no separate purchase is needed. Microsoft’s Snap guide and its Windows keyboard shortcuts guide describe the available controls.

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Use the Snap Layouts flyout

  1. Open the apps you want to use, then bring the first window to the front.
  2. Hover over that window’s maximize or restore button, or press Windows key + Z, to open the layout picker.
  3. Choose a layout, then select the region where you want the first window.
  4. When Snap Assist displays other open windows, select one to fill another region. If the layout has more spaces, select a window for each remaining region.

Choosing a layout and filling it are separate actions: the first window occupies the region you selected, and Snap Assist helps place the others.

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Start a layout with the Snap bar

  1. Drag a window toward the top edge of the screen.
  2. When the Snap bar appears, choose a layout and position for the window.
  3. Select other open windows from Snap Assist to fill the remaining spaces.

Snap two windows with the keyboard

Make the window you want to place active, then press Windows key + Left Arrow or Windows key + Right Arrow. To cycle through other positions, keep holding the Windows key and press an arrow key again; release the Windows key when the window is where you want it.

Resize the snapped windows

Drag the divider between snapped windows to change their relative sizes. When you resize one side of an adjacent snapped arrangement, the neighboring area adjusts to fit.

Check Snap settings if the controls are missing

  1. Open Settings > System > Multitasking.
  2. Make sure Snap windows is on.
  3. Expand the Snap windows options and check the settings for the maximize-button layout flyout, Snap bar, Snap Assist suggestions, and Snap groups.
  4. If the flyout still does not appear, try Windows key + Z and recheck the relevant Snap setting.

Option names and available controls can vary by Windows release. If you see fewer layouts than expected, display size may be the reason: Microsoft says the available choices depend on screen size but does not publish exact size or resolution cutoffs in its support guidance.

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