Copying numbers from a PDF into a spreadsheet, watching a tutorial while you follow along, or keeping a chat open next to your work. All of these are much easier with two windows side by side instead of constantly flicking between them.
Windows 11 is genuinely good at this. Once you know the shortcuts, you can split screen on Windows 11 in about a second. Here are all the ways to do it.
Method 1: Hover over the maximize button
This is the easiest method if you prefer the mouse.
- Move your pointer over the maximize button (the square in the top-right corner of any window). Do not click.
- A small panel of layouts pops up: two halves, thirds, a large window with two small ones, four quarters and so on.
- Click the zone where you want the current window to go.
- Windows shows thumbnails of your other open windows in the remaining space. Click one to fill the next zone.
That is it. Two clicks and your screen is split.
Method 2: Use the Windows + Z shortcut
If you like the keyboard, press Windows + Z in the window you want to snap. The same layout panel appears with numbers on each option. Press the number for the layout, then the number for the zone, and finish with the arrow keys and Enter to fill the rest.
Method 3: Drag the window to the edge or top
- Drag a window to the left or right edge of the screen until you see an outline, then let go. It fills that half.
- Drag a window to the top center of the screen and a snap bar drops down with the same layouts as Method 1. Drop the window onto a zone.
- Drag to a corner to snap it into a quarter of the screen.
Method 4: Windows + arrow keys
This is the fastest way for two windows side by side:
- Windows + Left arrow snaps the current window to the left half.
- Windows + Right arrow snaps it to the right half.
- After snapping to one side, press Windows + Up or Windows + Down to move it into a top or bottom quarter.
When you snap one window, Windows offers the others to fill the empty side. Pick one with the arrow keys and press Enter.
Resize the split
The split does not have to be 50/50. Move your pointer to the line between two snapped windows and drag it left or right. Both windows resize together, so you can give your main document more room while keeping a reference narrow on the side.
Use Snap Groups to switch back quickly
Once you have arranged windows together, Windows remembers them as a Snap Group. Hover over one of those apps on the taskbar and you will see the group as an option. Click it, and the whole layout comes back in one go, even after you have been working in other apps. This is great for a set of windows you use together every day.
What if snapping does not work?
If none of the methods above do anything, Snap may be turned off.
- Open Settings > System > Multitasking.
- Turn on Snap windows.
- Click the arrow next to it to see the options. Make sure Show snap layouts when I hover over a window’s maximize button and Show snap layouts when I drag a window to the top of my screen are ticked.
A few older apps do not support every layout, so they may only snap to halves. Updating the app usually helps.
Which layout fits your screen?
- Laptop screens (13 to 15 inches): stick with two halves. Thirds get cramped quickly.
- Large or ultrawide monitors: three columns or one large window with two small ones work beautifully.
- Vertical monitors: the top and bottom halves layout is ideal for reading.
Want more time-savers like this? Our list of 20 Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts has plenty, and if your PC slows down with lots of windows open, check our guide on how to speed up a slow Windows 11 PC. Microsoft also documents multitasking features on its Windows support site.
Quick recap
To split screen on Windows 11, hover over the maximize button and pick a layout, or press Windows + Left/Right arrow for a quick side-by-side view. Press Windows + Z for more layouts, drag the divider to resize, and use Snap Groups to bring your setup back instantly. If nothing happens, turn on Snap windows in Settings.
