How to split the screen on Windows 11 with Snap layouts
2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026
Hold the pointer over the maximise button of a window, or press Windows + Z, and click a position in one of the layouts. Then click the window you want in each remaining space. You can also drag a window to the top centre of the screen.
Snap layouts arrange two, three or four windows so they fill the screen without overlapping. It is the quickest way to work with two documents side by side.
These steps are for Windows 11. The pictures are diagrams of the keys to press.
Step by step
Open the layout menu
Hold the pointer over the maximise button at the top right of a window. Or click the window and press Windows + Z.
Click a position in a layout
The window moves there. Layouts include two halves, a large and a small part, thirds and quarters, depending on the size of your screen.
Fill the other spaces
Windows shows your other open windows. Click the one you want in each space.
Or drag to the top of the screen
Drag a window by its title bar to the top centre. The layouts drop down, and you let go on the position you want.
Resize
Drag the line between two snapped windows. Both change size together.
Good to know
The snapped windows form a Snap group. Hold the pointer over one of the apps on the taskbar to bring the whole group back at once.
To switch snapping on or off, open Settings, System, Multitasking and use Snap windows.
On a small laptop screen, two windows side by side is usually the practical limit.
In short: Hover over maximise or press Windows + Z, pick a position, choose the other windows.
- Microsoft Windows Learning Center: How to use Snap layouts
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