How to split screen in Windows 11 using snap layouts

Arranging Windows with Keyboard Shortcuts

Press and hold the Win and tap the left or right arrow key to snap your active window to either half of your display immediately.

1. Click the title bar of the window you want to move.
2. Press and hold the Win, then press the Left Arrow or Right Arrow key to snap the window to that half of the screen.
3. Release the keys.
4. Select a secondary application from the automatic selection menu that appears on the opposite side of your display to complete your split screen layout.

Using Split Screen Browsing in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge lets you view two web pages side by side inside a single window using a built-in split screen feature. You can open two different tabs at the same time without managing separate windows by clicking the split screen button on the browser toolbar.

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the Split screen button (two rectangles separated by a vertical line) on the toolbar, or press Ctrl+Shift+2 on your keyboard.
3. Select a second tab or type a new web address to load the second page in the right-hand pane.
4. Drag the center divider slider to the left or right to adjust the relative size of each web page.

Exiting Split Screen Modes

Exiting split screen mode in Windows 11 takes just a second using either your desktop window controls or your web browser. You can return any snapped window to its normal size by clicking the maximize button or dragging the window away from the edge of your screen.

1. If you are using desktop Snap Layouts, click the Maximize or Restore Down button in the top-right corner of the window, or drag the window away from the edge of the display.
2. If you are using split screen browsing in Microsoft Edge, click the Close split screen button (an “X” icon located on the center divider or toolbar) to merge the views back into a single full-size tab.

Advanced Window Snapping and Multitasking Options

Multitasking settings in Windows 11 let you change how windows snap to the edges and corners of your screen. You can open Settings ⚙️, go to System, and select Multitasking to control exact window snapping behavior and customize your display layout preferences.

1. Open Settings ⚙️.

   

2. Click System in the left sidebar, then select Multitasking.

   

3. Click the dropdown arrow next to Snap windows to expand the available preferences.

   

4. Uncheck any specific behaviors you want to disable, such as suggestions when you snap a window or resizing adjacent snapped windows simultaneously.

If this didn’t work

Troubleshooting split screen in Windows 11 usually involves checking your system settings if windows refuse to snap when dragged to the edges of your display. Verify that the multitasking snap feature is turned on in your settings menu, or update your graphics card drivers to fix visual glitches.