This article explains how to use a split screen in Windows so that you can look at two windows at once. The instructions apply to Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 7.
What to Know
- Turn on Snap Windows: Start > Settings > System > Multitasking. Should be on by default.Drag a window to one side of the screen, release the mouse, then select a window to snap to the other side.In Windows 11, hover your mouse over the Maximize icon to choose between different snap window layouts.
Split Your Screen in Windows 11 and 10 With Snap Windows
There are several ways to split a screen in Windows 11 and 10, but the easiest is with Snap Windows (known as Snap Assist in Windows 10). Snap Windows lets you drag a window to a corner or side of the screen to “snap” it there, which in turn makes room for other windows to be snapped in the resulting empty screen space.
To turn on this feature, go to Start > Settings > System > Multitasking. Select the toggle next to Snap Windows to turn it on, although Snap Windows should be on by default. Select Snap Windows to see additional options.
Split Screen Using Mouse
To split your screen with Snap Windows using the mouse:
- Open two or more windows or applications.
- Place your mouse on an empty area at the top of one of the windows. Long-press the left mouse button, and drag the window to the right side of the screen. Move it all the way over, as far as you can go, until your mouse won’t move anymore.
- Release the mouse to snap that window to the right side of the screen. It should now fill half the screen, or the corner if you dragged it there.
- Select any of the other windows that are open on the left side to snap them to the left side of the screen.
- Now that the two screens are beside each other, drag the dividing line that separates them to resize both windows simultaneously. This is helpful if you need to see more of one and can manage a smaller view for the other.
Choose a Layout in Windows 11
In Windows 11, hover your mouse over the Maximize icon in the upper-right corner to select between several snap window layouts.
Open two or more windows or applications.
Place your mouse on an empty area at the top of one of the windows. Long-press the left mouse button, and drag the window to the right side of the screen. Move it all the way over, as far as you can go, until your mouse won’t move anymore.
Release the mouse to snap that window to the right side of the screen. It should now fill half the screen, or the corner if you dragged it there.
Select any of the other windows that are open on the left side to snap them to the left side of the screen.
Now that the two screens are beside each other, drag the dividing line that separates them to resize both windows simultaneously. This is helpful if you need to see more of one and can manage a smaller view for the other.
Stack Side-by-Side in Windows 10
In Windows 10, you can stack all the windows side-by-side by right-clicking the taskbar and choosing Show windows side by side. If there are several windows open, they’ll all resize appropriately to fit on the screen.
Windows Split Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
Microsoft assumed with Windows 8 and 8.1 that most people would use a touchscreen device. If you have a touchscreen, use the snap feature to position two windows on the screen at one time using your finger. Otherwise, use a mouse.
You can also use the Windows key + left arrow and Windows key + right arrow to snap windows.
To use split screen with Windows 8.1:
- Open two or more windows and/or applications.
- Place your mouse in an empty area at the top of one of the windows. Long-press the left mouse button, and drag the window to the left side of the screen. Move it all the way over, as far as possible.
- On a touchscreen, swipe in from the left and hold your finger on the screen until the second window is docked on the left side of the screen.
- Release the mouse to snap that window to the left side of the screen.
- Select any of the other windows to snap to the right side of the screen.
- Drag the dividing line to resize the windows. When you move the line between the windows or apps, only one screen is resized at a time, not both as in Windows 11 and 10.
How to Do Split Screen in Windows 7
Windows 7 was the first version of Windows to support the Snap feature, and Snap should be on by default. To position two windows side-by-side in Windows 7:
Open two or more windows and/or applications.
Place your mouse in an empty area at the top of one of the windows. Long-press the left mouse button, and drag the window to the left side of the screen. Move it all the way over, as far as possible.
On a touchscreen, swipe in from the left and hold your finger on the screen until the second window is docked on the left side of the screen.
Release the mouse to snap that window to the left side of the screen.
Select any of the other windows to snap to the right side of the screen.
Drag the dividing line to resize the windows. When you move the line between the windows or apps, only one screen is resized at a time, not both as in Windows 11 and 10.
If your screen resolution is high enough and your video card supports it, you can position three windows on the screen.
- Open two windows.
- Place your mouse in an empty area at the top of any open window. Long-press the left mouse button, and drag the window to the left half of the screen.
- Release the mouse. The window will take up half the screen.
- Repeat Step 2 for the second window, this time dragging it to the right side of the screen before releasing the mouse. The window will take up the right half of the screen.
Other Ways to Split Screen in Windows 7
To stack all the windows side-by-side, right-click the taskbar and choose Show windows side by side. If there are several windows open, they’ll all resize to fit on the screen.
Open two windows.
Place your mouse in an empty area at the top of any open window. Long-press the left mouse button, and drag the window to the left half of the screen.
Release the mouse. The window will take up half the screen.
Repeat Step 2 for the second window, this time dragging it to the right side of the screen before releasing the mouse. The window will take up the right half of the screen.
You can also long-press the Windows key and the left or right arrow key to move windows around.
Using Alt+Tab to Switch Between Windows
You can use one of the standard methods for switching between windows and apps, like Alt+Tab, but you may prefer Windows Split Screen.
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