How to Split Screen in Windows 10/11

What Is Split Screen in Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Split screen in Windows means placing two or more app windows side by side on the same display. Windows does this with the built-in Snap feature, so you can compare documents, write while browsing, monitor a chat while working, or keep File Explorer open next to another app.

In Windows 10, split screen mainly uses Snap Assist and keyboard shortcuts. In Windows 11, Microsoft added Snap layouts, Snap groups, and a faster layout menu that appears when you hover over the maximize button or press Win + Z.

Fastest Ways to Split Screen in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Use this quick comparison if you only need the fastest method and do not want to change Windows settings.

How to Split Screen by Dragging Windows to the Screen Edge

The mouse method is simple and works well when you are arranging windows manually. It is the most intuitive way to learn Windows Snap.

1. Open the apps you want to use. For example, open your browser and a document editor.
2. Click and hold the title bar of the first app window.
3. Drag the window to the left or right edge of the screen until you see a translucent outline or layout preview.
4. Release the mouse button. The window snaps to that side of the screen.
5. Select another window from the Snap Assist thumbnails to fill the empty side.

Split Screen Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 10 and Windows 11

Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to split screen because you do not need to position the mouse pointer precisely.

Keyboard Example: Two Windows Side by Side

1. Click the first window to make it active.
2. Press Win + Left Arrow.
3. Choose another window from the thumbnails, or press Alt + Tab to activate it.
4. Press Win + Right Arrow for the second window.

How to Use Windows 11 Snap Layouts to Split Your Screen

Snap layouts are one of the easiest ways to split screen in Windows 11. Instead of dragging each window manually, you choose a ready-made layout and then fill the remaining zones with other open apps.

1. Open the first app window.
2. Move the mouse pointer over the Maximize button in the upper-right corner of the window, or press Win + Z.
3. Choose a layout: two columns, three columns, a large window with smaller side windows, or a four-zone grid.
4. Click the zone where you want the active window to appear.
5. Select the remaining windows from the Snap Assist thumbnails.

How to Use Windows 10 Snap Assist for Split Screen

Windows 10 does not have the same Snap layouts menu as Windows 11, but it still supports reliable split screen through Snap Assist, screen edges, corners, and keyboard shortcuts.

1. Drag the first window to the left or right edge of the screen.
2. Release the mouse button when the snap outline appears.
3. Windows 10 displays thumbnails of other open windows on the empty side.
4. Click the window you want to place on the other half of the screen.

How to Split Screen Into 3 or 4 Windows

You can use more than two windows if your display has enough space. This is useful on wide monitors, 1440p displays, 4K screens, or any setup where you need several apps visible at once.

Split Screen Into Four Corners

1. Click the first window.
2. Press Win + Left Arrow, then Win + Up Arrow to place it in the upper-left corner.
3. Select another window and press Win + Right Arrow, then Win + Up Arrow.
4. Repeat with Down Arrow for the lower-left and lower-right corners.

Split Screen Into Three Windows

For a three-window layout, put the main app on one side and stack two smaller windows on the other side. In Windows 11, you can often choose this directly from Snap layouts.

How to Split Screen on Multiple Monitors in Windows

Split screen works on multi-monitor setups too. You can snap windows to the edge of each monitor, move windows between displays, and combine snapping with the projection settings.

How to Turn Snap Windows On or Off

If split screen does not appear when you drag a window to the edge, the Snap feature may be disabled. You can check it in Windows Settings.

1. Open Settings with Win + I.
2. Go to System → Multitasking.
3. Turn on Snap windows.
4. Expand the Snap section and enable the options you want, such as showing Snap layouts, showing suggestions, or resizing adjacent snapped windows.

Custom Split Screen Layouts with Microsoft PowerToys FancyZones

If the built-in Windows split screen layouts are not flexible enough, use Microsoft PowerToys FancyZones. It lets you create custom zones, choose complex layouts, and place windows into those zones quickly.

1. Install Microsoft PowerToys from Microsoft Store or the official Microsoft PowerToys page.
2. Open PowerToys and enable FancyZones.
3. Click Launch layout editor.
4. Select a template or create a custom layout.
5. Hold the FancyZones activation key while dragging a window, then drop the window into a zone.

Split Screen Not Working in Windows: Causes and Fixes

If Windows does not split the screen, the issue is usually caused by disabled Snap settings, a full-screen app, display scaling, tablet mode behavior, or an app that does not support normal window resizing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Split Screen in Windows