Splitting the screen in Windows 10 with your keyboard is a quick way to multitask efficiently. To do it, you use some handy keyboard shortcuts to snap windows to different parts of your screen. This guide will show you how to do it in a few simple steps using easy-to-remember keyboard shortcuts.
Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Split Screen Windows 10 Using Keyboard
In this section, we’ll walk through the steps to split your screen in Windows 10 using only your keyboard. By the end, you’ll be able to seamlessly organize multiple windows on your desktop.
Step 1: Select the window you want to snap.
Click on or select the window you want to move.
You need to make sure the window you want to snap is active. If you have multiple windows open, simply click on the one you want to move or use Alt + Tab to cycle through your open windows until you find the right one.
Step 2: Snap the window to the left or right side of the screen.
Press the Windows key + Left Arrow or Windows key + Right Arrow.
This action will make the window occupy exactly half of your screen. If you press the Left Arrow, it will snap to the left side, and if you press the Right Arrow, it will snap to the right side.
Step 3: Choose another window to fill the other half of the screen.
Press Alt + Tab, use the arrow keys to select another window, and then press Enter.
After snapping the first window, Windows 10 will show you thumbnails of your other open windows on the other half of the screen. You can use Alt + Tab or just click on one of these thumbnails to fill the remaining space.
Step 4: Adjust the size of the split windows.
Click and drag the divider bar in the middle to resize the windows.
Once you have two windows side by side, you might want to resize them. Hover your mouse over the divider between the windows until it changes to a double-headed arrow. Click and drag to adjust the sizes as needed.
Step 5: Snap windows into quadrants.
Press the Windows key + Up Arrow or Windows key + Down Arrow after snapping a window to the left or right.
If you want to get fancy and need more than just a 50-50 split, you can snap windows into quadrants. First, snap a window to the left or right. Then, press the Windows key + Up Arrow or Windows key + Down Arrow to move it into a corner, making room for up to four windows.
Once you complete these actions, your screen will be split into multiple sections with different windows open in each.
Tips for How to Split Screen Windows 10 Using Keyboard
Practice makes perfect:
Try practicing the keyboard shortcuts a few times to get the hang of it. You’ll be snapping windows in no time.Use Task View for easy navigation:
Press Windows key + Tab to see all your open windows and virtual desktops for easier window management.Combine shortcuts:
Mix and match the Windows key with the arrow keys to quickly move windows around your screen.Remember the Undo command:
If you accidentally snap a window in the wrong place, you can press Windows key + Up Arrow or Windows key + Down Arrow to restore it.Customize your snap settings:
Go to Settings > System > Multitasking to adjust how snapping works on your system.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Split Screen Windows 10 Using Keyboard
How do I unsnap a window?
Simply press the Windows key + Up Arrow after a window is snapped to one side to maximize it again.
Can I snap more than two windows?
Yes, you can snap up to four windows into each corner using the Windows key and the arrow keys.
What if my window doesn’t snap properly?
Make sure you have the feature enabled in Settings > System > Multitasking. Also, some apps may not support snapping.
Can I use this feature with multiple monitors?
Yes, you can use snapping on each monitor independently if you have multiple displays set up.
How do I disable snapping?
Go to Settings > System > Multitasking and toggle off the Snap windows option.
Summary of How to Split Screen Windows 10 Using Keyboard
- Select the window you want to snap.
- Press Windows key + Left Arrow or Windows key + Right Arrow.
- Press Alt + Tab, select another window, and press Enter.
- Click and drag the divider bar to resize.
- Press Windows key + Up Arrow or Windows key + Down Arrow for quadrant snapping.
Conclusion
Splitting your screen in Windows 10 using keyboard shortcuts is an easy and efficient way to multitask. By mastering these simple steps and tips, you can have multiple windows organized just the way you want them. Whether you’re working on a big project, researching, or just want to watch a video while browsing, this feature will make your life easier.
For those new to Windows 10 or just looking to enhance their productivity, these shortcuts are a must-know. So go ahead and give it a try now, and soon you’ll be a multitasking pro. If you’re hungry for more tips on optimizing your Windows 10 experience, stay tuned for our next article!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.