Split your monitor screen by dragging windows side by side or using your operating system's built-in tools

You can divide a single monitor into separate working areas without any extra software. Windows 10 and 11 have a Snap Layouts feature that divides your screen into halves, thirds, or quarters. macOS has Split View, which locks two apps into a full-screen split. If you use Linux, your desktop environment likely includes a window tiling tool. The simplest method on any system is dragging one window to the left edge and another to the right, which works instantly and costs nothing.

The method you choose depends on what you're doing. If you're comparing two documents side by side for an hour, a locked split saves you from accidentally moving windows. If you're switching between tasks every few minutes, dragging windows manually is faster than setting up a layout each time.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 and 11 can snap windows to the left or right half of your screen by dragging them to the edge, or by using Snap Layouts to divide into thirds or quarters.
  • macOS Split View locks two apps into a full-screen split by clicking the green button in an app's title bar and selecting another app.
  • You can manually resize any window by dragging its edges, which works on every operating system and gives you complete control over the split.
  • Third-party tools like PowerToys (Windows) or Rectangle (Mac) add more layout options, but the built-in tools handle most common splits without installation.

Snap windows to the left or right half on Windows 10 and 11

The fastest way to split your screen on Windows is to drag a window to the left or right edge. Open the first window you want to use, then click and hold its title bar and drag it all the way to the left edge of your monitor. Release the mouse. The window snaps to fill the left half. Open a second window and drag it to the right edge. It fills the right half automatically.

If you want more than two sections, use Snap Layouts instead. Open a window and hover your mouse over the maximize button (the square in the top right corner of the window). A menu appears showing different layout options — two columns, three columns, a large section with smaller ones on the side. Click the layout you want. Windows then shows you open windows and lets you click which one goes in each section. You can rearrange them later by dragging.

To undo a snap, drag the window away from the edge, or click the restore button (the double square) in the top right corner.

Use Split View on macOS to lock two apps side by side

macOS Split View divides your screen between two apps and locks them in full-screen mode. Open the first app you want to use. Click the green button in the top left corner of its window (the close/minimize/maximize buttons). A menu appears. Select "Tile Window to Left of Screen" or "Tile Window to Right of Screen." Your first app now fills half the screen.

The other half shows all your open apps as thumbnails. Click the app you want in the second half. It fills the remaining space. Both apps now run in full-screen split view. To switch between them, swipe left or right with two fingers on your trackpad, or press Control and the left or right arrow key.

To exit Split View, move your mouse to the top of the screen, click the green button again, and select "Exit Full Screen." Both apps return to windowed mode.

Manually resize windows by dragging the edges

You can split your screen without any automatic tools by resizing windows manually. This works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Open your first window. Position your mouse on the right edge of the window until the cursor changes to a resize arrow (a double-headed line). Click and drag to the left or right to make the window narrower or wider. Do the same with the left edge if you want to move where the window starts.

Open your second window behind or next to the first. Resize it the same way until both windows fit side by side. This method takes a few seconds longer than snapping, but it gives you exact control over where the dividing line sits. You can make one window take up 60 percent of the screen and the other 40 percent, or any split you prefer.

If you resize windows often, you may find manual resizing slower than using your system's built-in snap tools. But if you only split your screen occasionally, dragging is simpler than learning keyboard shortcuts or menu options.

Add more layout options with third-party tools

If you need layouts beyond what your operating system offers, free tools can add them. On Windows, PowerToys (made by Microsoft) includes a FancyZones feature that lets you create custom grid layouts and snap windows to any section. You define the layout once, then snap windows into place with a keyboard shortcut. Download PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or the PowerToys GitHub page.

On macOS, Rectangle is a free tool that adds window snapping with keyboard shortcuts. You can snap to halves, thirds, quarters, or custom sizes. Download it from the Rectangle GitHub page or the Mac App Store. Linux users often have tiling window managers built into their desktop environment — check your system settings under "Windows" or "Display" for tiling options.

These tools are optional. The built-in snap features on Windows and macOS handle most splits without needing to install anything extra. Use a third-party tool only if you find yourself needing layouts your system doesn't provide.

Troubleshoot windows that won't snap

If dragging a window to the edge doesn't snap it, the window may be in full-screen mode. Click the restore button (the double square) in the top right corner to exit full-screen, then try snapping again. On macOS, some apps don't support Split View. If the green button doesn't show a split option, that app can't be locked into Split View — you can still resize it manually.

On Windows, if Snap Layouts doesn't appear when you hover over the maximize button, your graphics driver may need an update. Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced Display Settings and check for driver updates. Restart your computer after updating.

If you're using a very old monitor or an unusual resolution, snapping may not work smoothly. In that case, manual resizing is your most reliable option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I split my monitor into more than two windows?

Yes. Windows Snap Layouts can divide your screen into three, four, or six sections depending on your monitor size. macOS Split View only handles two apps at full-screen, but you can open multiple windows in each half and switch between them. On any system, you can manually resize as many windows as you want to fit on your screen at once.

Does splitting my screen slow down my computer?

No. Splitting your screen is just a display arrangement — it doesn't affect how fast your computer runs. The apps themselves use the same amount of memory and processing power whether they're full-screen or half-screen.

What if I have two physical monitors instead of one?

You don't need to split a single monitor. Use one app on your first monitor and another app on your second monitor. Each monitor acts as its own full workspace. If you want to split one of the monitors, use the same snapping or resizing methods described here on that monitor alone.

Can I save a split layout so it opens the same way every time?

Windows doesn't save snap layouts automatically, but third-party tools like PowerToys FancyZones let you create and reuse custom layouts. macOS doesn't have a built-in save feature for Split View layouts. You can manually arrange your windows the same way each time, or use a third-party tool like Rectangle to automate it.

Does splitting my screen work on a laptop?

Yes. All the snapping and resizing methods work on laptop screens. The smaller screen size means your windows will be narrower when split, so you may find it harder to read text. If you use your laptop with an external monitor, split the external monitor instead — it gives you more space.