Split your screen by dragging a window to the edge

The fastest way to split your screen on Windows is to grab the title bar of any open window and drag it to the left or right edge of your monitor until your cursor reaches the edge. Windows will highlight half the screen in a darker shade. Release the mouse, and that window snaps to fill exactly half your display. Open a second window and drag it to the opposite edge the same way.

This works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. On older versions of Windows, you can still drag windows manually to resize them, but the snap-to-edge feature may not work the same way. The keyboard shortcut for the same result is Windows key + Left arrow (for the left half) or Windows key + Right arrow (for the right half) — press it once to snap the active window to that side.

Key Takeaways

  • Drag any window to the left or right edge of your screen to snap it to half the display, then open a second window on the other side.
  • Use Windows key + Left arrow or Windows key + Right arrow as a keyboard shortcut to snap the active window without dragging.
  • Windows 11 offers Snap Layouts, a menu that appears when you hover over the maximize button and shows preset split-screen arrangements.
  • You can split your screen into more than two windows by using Snap Layouts or by manually resizing windows to custom widths.
  • If snap-to-edge is not working, check that it is turned on in Settings under System > Multitasking.

Use Snap Layouts in Windows 11 for preset arrangements

Windows 11 added a feature called Snap Layouts that shows you preset split-screen options without dragging. Hover your mouse over the maximize button (the square icon in the top right of any window) and a small menu appears with layout options — typically two-column, three-column, and other arrangements. Click the layout you want, and Windows shows you which open windows you can snap into each section.

This is faster than dragging if you want a specific arrangement, especially if you are splitting into three or four sections. The layouts available depend on your monitor size and resolution. On a standard 1920×1080 monitor, you will usually see two-column and three-column options. On wider monitors, more options appear.

Manually resize windows to create custom splits

If you want windows at widths other than 50-50, you can resize them by hand. Click and hold the border between two windows (the thin line where they meet) and drag left or right to adjust the split. This works whether the windows are snapped or just positioned side by side.

You can also click and drag the title bar of a window to move it freely, then resize it by dragging the edges or corners. This gives you complete control over the layout but takes longer than using snap features. It is useful when you need one window much larger than the other — for example, a browser taking up 70 percent of the screen and a notes app taking up 30 percent.

Turn snap-to-edge on or off in Settings

If dragging a window to the edge does not snap it, the feature may be turned off. Open Settings (Windows key + I), go to System, then select Multitasking. Look for the option labeled "Snap windows" or "Snap layouts" and make sure the toggle is turned on. The exact wording varies between Windows 10 and Windows 11.

In the same menu, you can also adjust other snap behavior — for example, whether Windows automatically arranges other open windows when you snap one, or whether snap suggestions appear. If you prefer to resize windows manually without any snap features, you can turn off all snap options here.

Split your screen across multiple monitors

If you have two or more monitors connected to your PC, you can split windows across them or dedicate one window to each monitor. Drag a window from one monitor to another by its title bar. The snap-to-edge feature works on each monitor independently — snap a window to the right edge of your left monitor, and it fills half that screen.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + Shift + Left arrow or Windows key + Shift + Right arrow to move the active window to the next monitor. This is faster than dragging if you have three or more monitors and want to move a window several screens over.

Troubleshoot windows that will not snap

Some windows, especially older programs or certain dialog boxes, will not snap to the edge even when the feature is turned on. This is usually because the program was written before snap features existed and does not support them. You can still resize these windows manually by dragging their edges.

If a window is maximized (filling the entire screen), it will not snap. Click the maximize button to restore it to a smaller size first, then drag it to the edge. If snap still does not work after you have turned it on in Settings, try restarting your PC — sometimes the setting does not take effect until you do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I split my screen into three or four windows at once?

Yes. In Windows 11, use Snap Layouts to see preset three-column or four-window options. In Windows 10, you can manually resize windows to custom widths by dragging the borders between them. There is no built-in four-way snap, but you can arrange four windows by hand.

Does split screen work on Windows 10?

Yes. Windows 10 supports snap-to-edge and keyboard shortcuts (Windows key + Left/Right arrow). It does not have Snap Layouts, which is a Windows 11 feature. The basic drag-and-snap method works the same way on both versions.

What if I want one window larger than the other?

Snap both windows to opposite edges first, then drag the border between them left or right to adjust the split. You can make one window 70 percent of the screen and the other 30 percent, or any ratio you prefer.

Will split screen slow down my PC?

Running two windows side by side uses more memory and processing power than running one, but the slowdown depends on what programs you are running. Two lightweight programs (like a text editor and a browser tab) will have little effect. Two heavy programs (like video editing software and a game) may noticeably slow your PC.

Can I save a split-screen layout so it opens the same way next time?

Windows does not save split layouts automatically. When you close your windows and reopen them later, they will not remember their positions. You can manually arrange them the same way each time, or use third-party tools designed to save and restore window layouts, though these are not built into Windows.