Snap two windows side-by-side in Windows

Updated: 02/07/2022 by Computer Hope

Smart Window

Smart Window, also called Snap, is a feature of Microsoft Windows that lets you lot automatically position two windows side-by-side without manually resizing them. Smart Window is besides useful if you don't want to utilize Alt+Tab to switch between two windows.

Tip

Smart Window was introduced in Windows seven and is likewise available in Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and 11. If you are running an earlier version of Windows, such as Windows XP or Windows Vista, see: Split up and adjust open up windows.

Enable Snap Windows in Windows settings

Select your version of Windows beneath and follow the steps to make sure the Snap Windows characteristic is enabled on your estimator.

  • Windows xi
  • Windows eight and x
  • Windows seven

Windows 11

  1. Click Start to open up the Start carte du jour, and click the Settings ⚙ icon to open Windows Settings. Alternatively, press the Windows fundamental+I keyboard shortcut.
  2. In the Settings window, click the System pick in the left navigation menu, if not already selected.
  3. On the correct side of the Settings window, scroll down and click the Multitasking option.
  4. In the Multitasking settings window, make sure the Snap Windows toggle is set to the On Windows 11 toggle in the On position position.

Windows 8 and x

  1. Click Start to open the Start menu, and click the gear icon ⚙ on the left to open Windows Settings. Alternatively, press the Windows cardinal+I keyboard shortcut.
  2. In the Settings window, click Organization.
  3. On the left, click Multitasking.
  4. Make sure the Snap Windows toggle is set to the On Windows 10 toggle in the On position position on the right.

Windows 7

Smart Window is always turned on in Windows 7. If you lot want to disable it, you demand to modify a registry key in the Windows registry. For more information, see: How to disable Smart Window in Windows seven.

Snap windows using the mouse

Follow these steps to snap windows using your mouse.

  1. Click-and-drag on the top title bar of the offset window, so your mouse pointer hits either the left or right side of your screen. Let go of the window when you see the window'southward outline resize to half of the screen.
  2. Choose the other window you desire to view on the side of the first window. Click-and-drag the second window to the contrary side of the screen until the mouse pointer hits the side of the screen and resizes.

Snap windows using the keyboard

Follow these instructions to snap windows using your keyboard.

  1. Press the Windows fundamental and printing either the right or left arrow fundamental, moving the open window to the screen's left or right position.
  2. Choose the other window you want to view side by side to the window in stride one. When using the Windows primal for this step, equally described in step one above, use the opposite (right or left) arrow button that you used in footstep one.

How to un-snap windows after snapping them

After you snap ane or more windows, you can follow these steps to return them to a normal window view.

  1. Click-and-drag the window, so the mouse pointer hits the summit of the screen and allow get to put the window back to regular size.
  2. If you want to view a single window, click a bare spot at the superlative, and while holding the mouse button downwards, shake the window you want to view. The shaking activeness will minimize all other windows to the Taskbar. To re-open minimized windows, click and milkshake the window you're using.
  3. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, and at the same time, press the Up arrow or the Down arrow. The up arrow maximizes the window, and the down arrow minimizes the window.