Snap two windows side-by-side in Windows

Updated: 02/07/2022 by Calculator Promise

Smart Window

Smart Window, besides called Snap, is a feature of Microsoft Windows that lets yous automatically position 2 windows side-by-side without manually resizing them. Smart Window is as well useful if y'all don't want to use Alt+Tab to switch betwixt ii windows.

Tip

Smart Window was introduced in Windows 7 and is also available in Windows viii, eight.1, 10, and xi. If you are running an earlier version of Windows, such as Windows XP or Windows Vista, encounter: Separate and accommodate open up windows.

Enable Snap Windows in Windows settings

Select your version of Windows below and follow the steps to make certain the Snap Windows feature is enabled on your estimator.

  • Windows 11
  • Windows 8 and 10
  • Windows 7

Windows 11

  1. Click Beginning to open the Kickoff menu, and click the Settings ⚙ icon to open up Windows Settings. Alternatively, press the Windows cardinal+I keyboard shortcut.
  2. In the Settings window, click the Organization option in the left navigation carte du jour, if non already selected.
  3. On the right side of the Settings window, whorl downward and click the Multitasking choice.
  4. In the Multitasking settings window, make certain the Snap Windows toggle is fix to the On Windows 11 toggle in the On position position.

Windows eight and ten

  1. Click Start to open the Start menu, and click the gear icon ⚙ on the left to open Windows Settings. Alternatively, press the Windows primal+I keyboard shortcut.
  2. In the Settings window, click Arrangement.
  3. On the left, click Multitasking.
  4. Brand sure the Snap Windows toggle is ready to the On Windows 10 toggle in the On position position on the correct.

Windows 7

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

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 first window, and so your mouse arrow hits either the left or right side of your screen. Permit go of the window when you lot see the window'due south outline resize to half of the screen.
  2. Choose the other window you want to view on the side of the beginning window. Click-and-elevate the 2nd window to the reverse side of the screen until the mouse arrow hits the side of the screen and resizes.

Snap windows using the keyboard

Follow these instructions to snap windows using your keyboard.

  1. Printing the Windows key and press either the right or left pointer key, moving the open up window to the screen's left or right position.
  2. Choose the other window you lot want to view next to the window in pace one. When using the Windows primal for this step, as described in step one in a higher place, use the opposite (right or left) pointer push button that yous used in pace one.

How to un-snap windows after snapping them

Later on you snap i or more windows, you tin can follow these steps to render them to a normal window view.

  1. Click-and-drag the window, and then the mouse pointer hits the height of the screen and let go to put the window back to regular size.
  2. If you desire to view a single window, click a blank spot at the top, and while holding the mouse button down, shake the window you want to view. The shaking action volition minimize all other windows to the Taskbar. To re-open minimized windows, click and shake the window you're using.
  3. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, and at the same fourth dimension, press the Up pointer or the Downwards pointer. The up pointer maximizes the window, and the downward arrow minimizes the window.