How To Split the Screen in Windows 10

If you’re trying to perform multiple tasks at once on Windows 10, you know how hard jumping between different programs can get. You’re more likely to lose your focus and make mistakes. By splitting the screen on your computer, you’ll allow yourself to see two or more apps simultaneously, thus performing your tasks with ease. Keep reading this article, and we’ll provide a detailed step-by-step guide on how to split the screen in Windows 10.

How to Split the Screen in Windows 10

Having a large monitor not only enables you to see things on your screen clearly, but it also allows the possibility of viewing several programs or apps at the same time. By splitting the screen, it will be easier for you to copy-paste between windows, view information from several sources, and multitask faster.

Snap Assist

Snap Assist is a feature in Windows 10 that allows you to split your screen easily. This option is enabled by default, but if you want to check if it’s enabled or review the settings, you can follow the steps below:

1. Open the Start menu
2. Tap “Settings”
   
3. Tap “System”
   
4. Tap “Multitasking”
   
5. You’ll see an option called “Snap Windows.” Make sure the option is enabled.
   

You’ll also see the three additional settings under “Snap Windows,” which you can enable or disable according to your preferences:

1. “When I snap the window, automatically size it to fit available space.”
2. “When I snap a window, show what I can snap next to it.”
3. “When I resize a snapped window, simultaneously resize any adjacent snapped window.”

How Does Snap Assist Work?

Snap Assist lets you drag a window to a side or corner of your screen and ‘snap’ it there. By doing this, you make room for other windows you can add, thus enabling adding several things at the same time.

Split the Screen Between Two Windows in Windows 10

Let’s review the steps on how to split the screen between two windows:

1. Drag one of the windows you want to view to the left or right side of the screen.
2. A translucent outline of the window will appear on the screen. It should fill half of your screen. Release the mouse to drop the window at that position.
   
3. All the open programs will now appear on the opposite side of the window you just dropped. You can choose which program you’d like to open.
   
4. Once you select the window you’d like to open, it will show up on the opposite side of the first window.
   
5. If you want to resize the two windows, you can move your cursor to the dividing line. When your cursor becomes two arrows, you can adjust the sizes of your windows. Note that you can only narrow a window to a certain point.

Split the Screen Using Keyboard Shortcuts

You can split your screen into two windows by using keyboard shortcuts:

1. Open the window you’d like to view.
   
2. Tap “Windows Logo Key + Left/Right arrow,” depending on which side you want the window.
   
3. All the open programs will appear on the opposite side. Choose the program you want to open.

Split the Screen Between Three Windows in Windows 10

1. Open one of the windows you’d like to view.
2. Drag it to one of the sides of the screen.
   
3. All the open programs will now appear on the opposite side of the window you just dropped. You can choose which program you’d like to open.
   
4. Select the program and drag it to a corner. This will shrink the window and allow you to add a third one.
   
5. You can resize any of the three windows according to your preferences.

Split the Screen Between Four Windows in Windows 10

1. Open one of the windows you’d like to view.
2. Drag it to one of the corners of the screen.
   
3. All the open programs will now appear on the opposite side of the window you just dropped. Choose the program you’d like to open next and drag it to a different corner.
   
4. Then, choose another program and drag it to an available corner.
   
5. Choose the fourth window you’d like to add and drag it to the remaining corner.
   
6. If you want to expand one of the windows to a half-window, tap “Windows logo key + Up/Down arrow.”

Splitting the Screen With a Touchscreen Monitor

If you have a touchscreen monitor and want to split your screen, just select a window and drag it to the side/corner of the screen.

Microsoft PowerToys “FancyZones”

Another way you can split your screen is by using Microsoft’s official utility called “PowerToys.” One of the features of this utility is “FancyZones,” a window manager you can use for arranging your screen. Since “PowerToys” doesn’t come with your Windows by default, you have to install it:

1. Download PowerToys by visiting the GitHub page.
2. After you’ve downloaded and installed it, open the app, and choose “FancyZones.”

Now, you can customize the layout of your screen. You can choose one of the templates, or you can create your own. You can also create your own mouse and keyboard shortcuts, customize zones, colors, and borders.

If you split your screen often, this might be a great option since it offers much more room for customization than Snap Assist.

Using Third-Party Apps for Splitting the Screen in Windows 10

If you don’t like Snap Assist, you can use numerous apps on the market to help you organize your screen. One of them is AquaSnap. This app allows you to easily arrange different windows on your screen and multitask with ease.

Besides splitting the screen like Snap Assist, here are some of the other options you can try:

1. Window tiling – If you have three or more windows on your screen, you can resize them. By resizing one of them, you’ll resize the one next to it at the same time, which makes it easier to set the layout according to your needs.
2. Window snapping – AquaSnap allows you to save your screen space by aligning screens and making them act like magnets.
3. Window stretching – By double-clicking on an edge of a window, you’re able to maximize it in that direction.
4. Window moving – By moving a window and holding “Ctrl,” you can move all the windows attached to it.
5. One window on top – If you need a window to be always visible on your screen, you can select and shake it. It will become transparent and stay on your screen even when you open other windows. If you want to disable this, shake the window again.
6. Mouse and keyboard shortcuts – AquaSnap offers numerous shortcuts that will make your experience with the app even better.

Set Up Dual Monitors on Windows 10

Splitting a screen is like having two monitors. However, you can opt for connecting another monitor to your computer if you want to have a clearer view of the programs you’re running. Here is how you can do this:

1. Make sure your monitors are properly connected to your computer.
2. Make sure your system is updated.
3. Open the Start menu.
   
4. Tap “Settings.”
   
5. Tap “System.”
   
6. Tap “Display.”
   
7. Your computer should detect the displays automatically. If this doesn’t happen, you can detect them by tapping “Detect.”
   

Change Display Options

After you’ve successfully connected another monitor to your computer, you can customize the settings.

Change Orientation

Windows will set an orientation by default. If you want, you can change this in “Display Settings” if you tap “Display Orientation.” You can set your monitor to be in landscape or portrait mode.

Change Display Options

You can also customize what appears on both of your monitors by tapping “Windows logo key +P.” This will open four display options.

1. PC Screen Only – If you want to use just one screen, tap this option.
2. Duplicate – If you want to see the same thing on both of your displays, tap this option.
3. Extend – If you want to see your desktop across both of your displays, choose this option. When you have this option enabled, you can move windows between the two screens.
4. Second screen only – If you want to use just the second screen, tap this option.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Switch Between Windows

If you don’t like splitting your screen, you can use a keyboard shortcut to jump between Windows. Tapping “Alt + Tab” will allow you to switch between open windows.

Multitask Like a Pro

Now you’ve learned how to split the screen in Windows 10. If you’re often multitasking and having numerous windows open makes it hard for you to stay focused, you can make your life easier by splitting your screen. It will save both your time and nerves.

Do you often split your screen to organize your work? Tell us in the comment section below.