Windows 11 has a neat feature that lets you split your screen into multiple windows. It’s a great way to multitask and get your work done faster. 

© charnsitr/Shutterstock.com

Splitting your screen can be useful when you’re multitasking, but it’s also helpful if you want to use two or more apps simultaneously. For example, if you have a document open in Microsoft Word and want to check your email, you can split your screen so that both windows are visible.

With Windows 11, you can also create virtual desktops, which allows you to switch back and forth between different sets of apps or files without having to go back through your Start Menu or taskbar.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to use split screen in Windows 11 to get more work done faster.

Enable ‘Snap Windows’ in Settings

Windows 11 has a built-in feature called Snap that allows you to snap windows differently. The feature is enabled by default on Windows 11, but verifying is ideal before proceeding.

To enable ‘Snap Windows’ in Settings:

Open Settings by pressing the Start button and selecting it from the list of apps.

Select Multitasking from the settings menu.

Verify that the toggle under ‘Snap windows’ is enabled. If it isn’t, click on the toggle to enable the setting.

You can also explore the options under it and choose what is necessary. Nevertheless, you should leave the default settings alone until you have a better understanding of how to use them.

Using Windows 11 Snap Layouts

Microsoft’s latest operating system is packed with new features, including a new Snap Layouts feature. With Windows 11, you can snap up to four apps at once, which makes multitasking more accessible than ever. 

To use Snap Layouts in Windows 11, hover your cursor over the maximize button near the window’s top-right corner. A small box will appear with four different layout options to split the screen.

  • The first layout option splits the screen into two equal parts, and each section will occupy an equal portion of the screen.The second layout option also splits the screen in two, but the left side of the screen will occupy more space than the one on the right side. The third layout option will split the screen into two parts, but the right side of the screen will be split into two equal sections making a total of three sections. The fourth layout option divides the screen into four parts, with each window occupying a quarter of the display.

Split The Screen Into Two Sections

You can open two apps at the same time when you use the split screen option. For example, you could have a word-processing app on the left and a browser on the right. Or maybe you want to watch a video while working on something else. Split-screen mode is a great way to do whatever you need to do.

To split your screen into two sections:

Open a second application or document you want to display on one side of the screen. Hover the cursor over the maximize button, and select the first layout option.

Now the current app window will snap into the selected half of the screen, along with thumbnails of other open apps. Choose the one that you want to add to the other side.

Click or tap on one of these icons, and you now have two app windows on the same screen to work on simultaneously.

You also have the option to resize the windows. Move the cursor to the line separating the two windows, and a dark thick line will appear. Now, hold and drag the line in either direction to resize the sections of your screens.

Split The Screen Into Three Sections

The Snap also lets you split your screen into three sections. You can then drag and drop apps into each section to create your custom layout. To start, hover your cursor over the maximize button and select the third layout option.

The current window you have opened will fill up the section you selected earlier and show the other apps you have opened as thumbnails. You can select the second window you want to work on by clicking on the app’s thumbnail.

After you have selected the second window, it will allow you to open a third app. The other open windows will be displayed as thumbnails in the popup. Select the desired app, and the tool will split your screen into three sections.

You now have three open windows on the screen, which you can work on as you please.

Split The Screen Into Four Sections

The idea of splitting your screen into four sections is the same as what we discussed in the previous sections. Hover over the maximize button of the current window, choose the desired layout, and select the other apps on the split screen accordingly.

Summary

The new version of Windows is packed with new features and tools that make your life easier. One of these features is the ability to split the screen into multiple windows so you can view two different things at once. This is perfect when you need to work on multiple documents or watch a video while working on another task. This tutorial will show you how to use the Split Screen on Windows 11.

Up Next

  • How to Edit Videos on Windows 11How to Screen Record on Windows 11How to Print Screen on Windows 11