Table of contents

Windows has made it easy, especially in Windows 10 and 11, to work with multiple windows at the same time. 

This guide will show you how to split screen on Windows 10 and 11 so you won’t have to switch between windows to view two items simultaneously. 

Here’s how to do a split screen on Windows 10 and 11 to improve your organization, increase productivity, and simplify your multitasking.

Tips Before Splitting Screens: Adjust Your Settings

Before you learn how to split screen, there are some tips to keep in mind.

Windows has a built-in feature called Snap that helps you position your windows without manually changing the shape and size of each.

Regardless of where you drag a window, it’ll snap into place. You can adjust the feature in the Settings.

Here’s how:

  • Press “Windows logo + I” to open the Settings window. 
  • Click on “System” and select “Multitasking.” 
System Multitasking
  • You can switch the “Snap windows” on or off. You can also click the drop-down menu beside the on and off button and adjust the settings. 
System Multitasking ON
PRO TIP
You can adjust the screen resolution and scale settings to prevent text and graphics on the split screens from looking too small or large. 

You can also consider personalizing your taskbar settings to simplify switching between open windows. 

Depending on your option, you can show all open windows on the taskbar or just those currently on your desktop. 

In the following sections, we’ll discuss how to split screen on your PC, whether Windows 11 or 10. 

How to Split Screen on Windows 10

Here’s how to split your computer screen using Snap Assist:

  • Select the window to snap to one side of the screen. Then, drag it to the edge. 
split screen on Windows 10
  • After snapping the window, you can select other applications that are opened to move them to the second half. When you click on one, it’ll immediately snap into position. 
Using split screen on Windows 10
If you don’t drag the window to the other half of the screen and it disappears, you can still drag the window to the edge of the space to fill it. 
  • Place your cursor over the dividing line until it turns into two arrows to resize the two windows. Click and hold the divider to adjust the windows. However, remember that there is a limit to how small a window can be.
Adjusting split screen on Windows 10
PRO TIP
If the Snap Assist isn’t working, try restarting your computer and check if that fixes the problem. It could be scaling issues, outdated drivers, or startup programs if it doesn’t. 

We recommend using Auslogics Driver Updater to update your drivers automatically. For the scaling issues, go to display settings to fix the problem. 

Check this guide to manage startup programs: How to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 10. 

How to Split Screen on Windows 11

With Windows 11, you can split their screens more efficiently thanks to a new productivity-boosting feature called Snap Layouts.

Snap Layouts offer up to six ways to arrange Windows, just like Snap Assist in Windows 10.

These layouts include three side-by-side windows on large landscape displays and stacked top or bottom windows on portrait screens.

They are optimized for different screen sizes and orientations. Here’s how to do a split screen on Windows 11:

  • Press “Windows key + Z” or hover your cursor to the “Maximize” button. 
  • You’ll see a box display at the top right corner of your screen. Choose one of the available options to start the split screen. 
How to split screen on Windows 11
If you press “Windows key + Z” on your desktop screen, it won’t work. You have to do it on a program or application window to initiate the command. 
  • Windows will launch the task switcher and allow you to select another open window. When you select an open window, it’ll snap into place.
Using split screen on Windows 11
PRO TIP
If the “Windows + Z” doesn’t work, press “Windows + Left or Right” to shift the application to the left or right. Snap Layouts will automatically start, allowing you to choose other applications to fill the space. 

Related: How to Fix Windows 11 Snap Layouts Not Working

Shortcut Keys for Quick Split Screen on Windows

Windows offers useful keyboard shortcuts to split your screen. Check the shortcuts below to learn how to split the screen on Windows 10 using your keyboard. However, remember that you can also use these keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11.

Here’s a shortcut to split screen on Windows:
Windows key + Right arrow: Shifts the window to the right.

 Windows key + Left arrow: Shifts the window to the left.

 Windows key + Up arrow: Moves the window upward.

 Windows key + Down arrow: Moves the window downward.

Pressing the Windows key plus the right or left arrow keys causes the window to move and divides the screen in half. That’s how to open two windows side by side.

In the same way, you can divide the window into quarters by pressing the Windows key plus the up or down arrow key. 

Once the first window is in place, just click on another one to have it appear next to it, or choose an open window to make it appear first. 

Continue doing this until the screen arrangement suits your preference.

How to Snap More Than Two Windows in Windows 10 or 11

You can divide your large or high-resolution screen into four sections with Corner Snap. Here’s how to do a split screen on your laptop with high-resolution screens:

  • First, drag and drop your first window into any corner. 
  • Drag and drop your second window into any available corner. Remember: you can’t select a specific corner. 
How to snap more than two windows in Windows
  • Repeat step 2 to fill the remaining two corners. 
how to split one monitor into two screens

So, if you want to know how to split one monitor into two screens or four, you can do it without any challenges. 

The 2020 update in Windows 10 changed the four-window settings, making all snapped windows function as a single window. 

This is a helpful feature since the snapped windows stay as a unit. So, you can open a different program, and the snapped windows will still stay together until you return.

How to Divide Screen on Windows with Third-Party Apps

Although Windows 10 and 11 have an excellent split-screen feature, third-party apps offer more functionality. Some of the apps include Spectacle, AquaSnap, GridMove, etc. 

For example, GridMove was designed to make window management easier. It makes your desktop look like a visual grid to snap windows to specific places quickly. 

The application offers tools to create custom grids, share other people’s grids, and preset grid designs.

With just a drag and drop, you can resize, relocate, and maintain windows at the top of the screen.

Conclusion

Learning how to split screen on Windows 10 or 11 can significantly improve your productivity and workflow.

Throughout this guide, we’ve discussed various ways of how to divide screens on Windows. We’ve also included keyboard shortcuts and tips to streamline your multitasking experience!

You can also experiment with third-party apps like AquaSnap to customize the grids.

How are you using the split screen to your advantage? Let us hear your thoughts, suggestions, tips, etc., in the comments section below!

FAQ

Yes. You can split displays with two monitors. By extending your desktop across two screens, dual monitors allow you to double the workspace. When using two monitors, you can quickly move windows and apps between them to create a split-screen configuration by arranging them side by side.
Yes. You can easily split your screen into three or more applications on Windows 11. Just hover your cursor over the “Maximize” button and choose your preferred layout. However, Windows 10 doesn’t directly support users splitting their screens into three or more applications. But you can manually do it by dragging the main window to any corner. You’ll see other apps, including the main window on your screen. Select your preferred program to add to the other sections to split into three or more parts.