How to Split Screen on Laptop

Chris Campbell16 Jan 2022

Ultrawide displays have been more universally accessible in recent years, and their popularity has risen as a result. There's something about the appearance of a curved display that enthrals the user in its ocean of pixels, whether they're creating videos or playing their favorite game for hours. However, if you just use one screen at a time, you're not utilizing its fullest potential.

You can run numerous apps, browse the net on one side of the screen, and work on your presentation on the other, or you can also showcase various status displays throughout your complete monitor when you split your laptop screen.

A split-screen can help you be more productive by eliminating the necessity to switch between numerous tabs. In many circumstances, using a two or three monitor setup allows you to run many applications and tabs across multiple displays. Split-screen capability is still extremely viable even if you just have one screen on a laptop running the Windows OS.

Multiple displays can be configured to function in tandem with a single OS. This implies it functions as one device with numerous programs or displays that operate on a single system. Whenever you move the pointer, it will fluidly transition across displays. You may also transfer documents, browsers, as well as other applications between screens. 

You must also select which screen will be the primary display. This implies that new apps will be launched on this screen, but they may still be relocated. We usually read, and it is typical to select the left-hand screen as the primary display. It is, therefore, a question of personal choice, and switching the main screen is a simple process. The displays are all linked together, and one display is linked to your laptop. The type of cord is determined by the model. To attach a second screen, some newer models just require a USB connection.

Split Screen Laptop and Monitor Windows 10

Windows has always been a wonderful platform for multitasking, allowing you to run many apps at once and shift between them with great ease.  Microsoft ramped up its split-screen capabilities in Windows 10. With enhanced support for higher-resolution screens and multiple monitors, the latest edition of Windows 10 offers a variety of options to split your screen into many windows and get actual work done.

Snap Assist

Snap Assist makes it simpler to pick an open program window when deciding which programs to organize on your screen, and is one of Windows 10's most significant advancements to split-screen multitasking.  

Here's how to put it to use:

  • Select the window to be split to one side of the display and move it to the border. If you have additional sessions or programs open at the time you split your chosen window, you'll see a number of alternatives for filling the second half.
  • When you tap on one, it will immediately snap into position opposite the very first window. If you don't, the selection grid will vanish. To fix this, move your second window to the border of the empty area.
  • To adjust the two windows, move your mouse over the borderline until it turns into two arrows. 
  • To modify the two windows, press and hold the border. There is, unfortunately, a limitation to how small a window maybe.

Keyboard Shortcut

If you want to split your screen using your keyboard quickly, there is a really helpful shortcut. 

  • In an open window, hold down the "Windows" button and then hit the "Left" or "Right" arrow. The current window should be snapped to the left or right automatically. 
  • To occupy the next empty spot, choose another window.
  • To return a window to full-screen mode, hit the "Windows" button and the "Up" arrow simultaneously. If you mistakenly create a quarter window rather than a half window, you may enlarge it using the "Windows" and "Up" or "Down" arrows.

Splitting More Than Two Windows

If you have a big or high-resolution screen, you can make use of all of that abundant screen by utilizing Corner Snap to split up to four windows on a single screen.

To do this:

  • Drag your first window in any corner. To utilize the keyboard shortcut, hold down the "Windows" button and then use the "Left" or "Right" Arrow keys to move the active session to the left or right. 
  • Then, hold down the "Windows" key while pressing the "Up" or "Down" Arrow keys to drag the split window to the top or bottom corner.
  • With the very first active session in a corner, drag and drop your second window into any corner that is accessible. You don't need to select a precise corner.

If necessary, perform Step 2 to occupy the other two edges. It's worth noting that a 2020 update to Windows 10 changed this four-window arrangement, making all the split windows work as a single window. This may not seem significant, but it comes in useful when you need to do anything else, such as open another program or files whilst working with your split windows. All of them will remain together, awaiting your return.

Split Screen Laptop and Monitor Windows 11

Windows 11 has user-friendly features such as Snap Layouts, which make it easy to split your screen and multitask. In today's world, every professional wants to better their game, and several monitors are a must.

It not only makes work much easier, but it also keeps your laptop screen clutter-free, helping you stay calm and organized. Furthermore, having two independent screens expands your vision and therefore makes the workflow more fluid.

Furthermore, you save quite a lot of time that was previously wasted by moving across different windows almost every minute. It also impedes your workflow and causes your brain to become resistant. Windows 11 can divide your laptop screen so that you may be more productive in less time.

On Windows 11, you can also use the "Maximize" button to drag wherever you want a window to be pinned to the screen.

Pin one window to the left, and another to the vacant area on the right. Furthermore, there are six distinct ways to split a window. However, it is dependent on your display size, and if you have a smaller screen, then you'll have more or fewer layouts.

Snap Layouts

With Snap Layouts embedded directly into the "Maximize" button for each window, Windows 11 allows you to divide the screen fast and easily. You don't need to hold and drag a Window or use keyboard commands to activate snap.

In Windows 11, utilize Snap Layouts by hovering the pointer on the "Maximize" button at the top right of the screen. A tiny window will appear with four or six distinct options for splitting the screen.

Maximize Button

Splitting the screen has gotten considerably easier and faster with Windows 11. You no longer need to scroll, hold or use keyboard keys to display numerous windows on the screen. In Windows 11, hover your mouse over the "Maximize" button in the upper right to divide the screen. You'll see a tiny box with four split-screen options.

  • The first option divides the screen into two identical halves so that each window displays take up the same amount of area.
  • The second option likewise divides the screen into two halves, however, the allocation of screen space is unequal. The one on the left takes up more room than that on the right in this situation.
  • The third option divides the screen into three sections, with the left half in one window and the right half divided into two quarters.
  • The fourth option divides the screen into four halves, with each window occupying a quarter of the screen.

How to Split Screen on HP Laptop

A businessman could work practically only with an HP laptop. However, due to the comparatively tiny screen, it may appear restricted or unproductive in the workplace. Of course, you can always attach an extra screen to your laptop and utilize two displays at the same time if you need more screen space. However, if you want to open many apps or browser windows at once, even two screens would not be enough to prevent opening and closing programs. Splitting the screen on your HP laptop is a much better solution.

To split the screen on your HP laptop:

  • Start by opening 2 or more windows or apps on your laptop. 
  • Hover your cursor on an empty spot at the top of one of the windows, then drag that window to the left side of the screen while holding down the "left" click button of the mouse.
  • Then drag it completely across, as far as your mouse will allow, until it stops moving.

You can also click and drag a window to one side of the window until it pins into place. Then you can choose another window or app to occupy the remaining half.

Pressing the "Windows" + "Left" or "Right" arrow simultaneously is the keyboard shortcut for splitting the screen. You may clip windows to the left or right side of your display, as well as to four quadrants of the screen. This gives you a little more leeway while dealing with various programs.

How to Do Split Screen on Dell Laptop

Working on a Dell laptop might be a little tricky since you constantly need to switch tabs and windows. This is especially true if you need to conduct lengthy research. However, you may split the screen on your laptop and get more work done quicker.

Dell Latitude 13-7320 Series

The Latitude 13-7320 laptops provide split-screen functionality. The function is perfect for multitasking and is quite simple to configure. It is compatible with all Windows versions.

Here's what you need to do:

  • Open the two applications that you wish to view on the screen.
  • The screen automatically splits if you click and hold the cursor on the second app.
  • Drag and pin the window into position by releasing the button.

Snap Assist in Windows

In every version of Windows, including 7, 8, and 10, you may split the screen using  Snap Assist which is compatible with all laptops.

Windows 7 The Snap Assist function was introduced in Windows 7 for the first time. Simply drag the window to the edge of your screen and it will lock into place, freeing up the remainder of the screen for another window. You may disable the functionality at any moment in the settings.

On Windows 7, Snap Assist works as follows:

  • Launch two applications or windows at the same time.
  • Hold down the left mouse button while your pointer is on the top bar of one of the windows.
  • Move the window to the left or right corner of the screen by dragging it.
  • Continue to drag it to one corner until the window pins into place, leaving half of the screen free for the other window.
  • Move the other window to the other side of the screen.
  • Rather than a mouse, you may use the arrow keys on the keyboard.

Windows 8 and 8.1 Microsoft's strategy for Windows 8 and 8.1 would be that the majority of users would utilize touchscreen devices to operate the system. If you have a touchscreen HP laptop that runs Windows 8 or 8.1, you can quickly have windows in split-screen mode. Simply pull the two windows apart, and they will instantly click into place.

However, if you do not have a touchscreen laptop, you must perform the following:

  • Open two applications or windows. The full-screen mode must be selected.
  • Put your cursor on the upper left of the first program. Slide the window to the right while holding down the left mouse button.
  • Continue to move it until the screen is divided by a vertical line. The second window will appear automatically.

You may adjust the size of each window by dragging the borderline left and right. You can open three windows at once if your computer has a strong visual card.

Windows 10 The Snap Assist function in Windows 10 features the most settings. You may configure it in the same manner that you did in earlier versions of Windows, but there are some additional possibilities. 

The following is how the functionality works in Windows 10:

  • Open several windows or programs.
  • Hold your cursor on one of the windows' top bars and slide it to the side until it locks into place.
  • Half of the screen will be occupied by the first window or program. Move another window to the middle of the opposite end.
  • Click and drag additional windows to either edge of the screen while your screen is divided in half.
  • Drag and drop windows into different areas of the screen to observe how they automatically organize themselves.
  • To maximize a window, drag it to the top of the screen. Drag it to the middle of the screen to restore it to its actual size.

When your windows have been snapped into place, you may move them by holding down the "Windows" + "Left" or "Right" arrows at the same time.

How to Split Screen on Lenovo Laptop

A split-screen is a tool, software, or capability that allows splitting their screen horizontally or vertically. Split-screen allows users to examine several areas of the same page or set of files simultaneously.

You can run many apps at the same time if you divide your laptop screen. You could watch a move on one side of the screen while working on the other, or you can showcase multiple status displays over the full screen.

You can effortlessly and quickly switch from single to dual screens with the Lenovo Mode Switcher app. Whenever you start folding your laptop or hit the Lenovo Mode Switcher icon, a message in the corner of your screen prompts if you want to work with a single screen or split your screen.

To split the screen on your Lenovo laptop:

  • Open the first window.
  • Slide the button up from the bottom to release it.
  • Tap the window or app's symbol at the top to launch it, allowing you to preview it. Close it by tapping the window or app's icon if you don't want a preview.
  • When you touch it, the split-screen will display.
  • The second window or app can then be chosen.

There you have it. A split-screen can help you be more productive by eliminating the need to switch between numerous windows. In many circumstances, using a two or three monitor setup allows you to run many applications and windows over multiple screens. Of course, it depends on you to maximize your laptop's capabilities and work out your productivity, but a split-screen definitely helps.

Chris Campbell

Chris Campbell

Thanks for reading! I'm Chris, an avid tech fanatic that enjoys keeping up with the latest laptop models. Hopefully my tips & tricks can help you out!

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