How to Split Screen in Windows 11
One of Windows 11’s most practical improvements over its predecessor is the Snap Layouts system — how the OS organizes windows on screen. If you’ve been ignoring Windows 11’s split-screen features, you’re missing something that actually changes how you work.
Method 1: Snap Layouts (the Windows 11 way)
Hover over the maximize button of any window (the square icon in the top right corner) and hold for half a second. A grid appears showing different layout options: two windows side by side, three columns, four quadrants, and more. Click the zone where you want to place that window.
Windows then asks which of your other open windows you want to place in the remaining zones. Select them one by one and the desktop arranges itself in the chosen layout.
On ultrawide or high-resolution monitors, Snap Layout options are more varied — more columns, more zones. On smaller screens like 13-inch laptops, fewer options are shown because they’d be impractical.
Method 2: Keyboard shortcuts
For keyboard users, Windows has had split-screen shortcuts since Windows 7 and they still work perfectly in Windows 11:
- Win + Left/Right arrow: snap the active window to the left or right half of the screen
- Win + Up arrow: maximize the window
- Win + Down arrow: minimize or restore the window
- Win + Left then Win + Up: place the window in the top-left quadrant
By combining these shortcuts you can place up to four windows in the four screen quadrants without touching the mouse.
Method 3: Drag to the edges
The classic method still works: drag a window to the left or right edge of the screen and release when you see the positioning shadow. Windows snaps it to that half and suggests what to place in the other half.
Dragging to the top edge maximizes, and dragging to screen corners places windows in quadrants.
Method 4: FancyZones (PowerToys)
If you want full control over window placement — custom zones, layouts that don’t follow Windows’ standard grid — FancyZones from Microsoft PowerToys is the tool. You can create fully custom grids: three unequal columns, one wide zone on the left and two narrow ones on the right, whatever you need.
PowerToys is free and available from the Microsoft Store or GitHub. Once installed and FancyZones configured, hold Shift while dragging a window to see your custom grid and place it exactly where you want.
With Two Monitors
Everything above works per monitor. You can have two windows split on the primary monitor and a full-screen window on the secondary one. Win + Shift + Left/Right arrows move the active window between monitors without resizing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I split the screen into more than two parts in Windows 11?
Yes. Snap Layouts supports up to four zones (quadrants), and FancyZones from PowerToys lets you create fully custom layouts with as many zones as you want.
How do I turn off Snap if I don’t want it?
Go to Settings → System → Multitasking and disable “Snap windows.” You can also turn off specific Snap behaviors individually without disabling everything.
Do Snap Layouts work with all apps?
With most, yes. Some apps have fixed or minimum window sizes that don’t adapt well to splitting. In those cases, the window may not fill the assigned zone exactly.
Can I save a window layout to use later?
FancyZones from PowerToys allows saving layout profiles. Windows 11 also remembers Snap groups when you minimize and restore — hover over a taskbar button to see the full group.
Does split screen work on small laptop screens?
Yes, though Snap Layout options are more limited. On 13-14 inch screens, the most practical layout is usually two side-by-side halves. For three or four zones, ideally you want at least a 24-inch monitor or Full HD resolution.
