The Snap feature is a great way to improve your productivity by sharing many app windows in a single screen. Different layouts are available with many sizes to choose from, so you can get the most from your favorite apps when you are working on specific tasks.
Here are some ways to take advantage of Snap. Select any of the headers, and it will open to display more content:
The Snap feature in Windows has some predetermined layouts that you can choose from to snap all your open windows.
To open Snap layouts:
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With your keyboard: In the window you would like to snap, press Windows Logo Key + Z to launch the layout box.
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With your mouse: In the window you would like to snap, hover over the Minimize or Maximize button to launch the layout box.
Note: Depending on the size of your display, you might see different predetermined layouts for your display size.
The Snap Assist tool will automatically appear once you have snapped your first window. Snap Assist will display all other open windows as thumbnails so you can choose which windows you would like to add to the selected layout.
Snap Assist allows you to resize the layout boxes size by selecting and dragging the dividing lines. Resize a window on one side, and the adjoining window will resize itself to fit alongside so you don't have any wasted screen space.
Note: Snap Assist is only available for two app windows at a time on Windows 11 SE. Learn more
Once you select a layout and Snap every space with selected windows, this automatically becomes a Snap group. This feature can be useful when you are working on a specific task using many apps. If you are interrupted and open a new app, you can easily come back to the Snap group by hovering over one of the group's open apps to find the Snap group again.
There are several ways to use your mouse to Snap in Windows:
Hover over an app's Minimize or Maximize button
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Hover over the Minimize or Maximize button in the app you'd like to Snap. The Snap layout box will display automatically.
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Select the Snap layout you'd like to use from the layout box.
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Use Snap Assist to fill the layout with other apps you'd like to Snap together.
Drag and drop an app to either side of your screen
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Select and drag the window or app you'd like to Snap to the side or edge of your screen. The Snap layout box will display automatically.
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Drop the app into the layout you want to use.
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Use Snap Assist to fill the layout with other windows or apps you'd like to Snap together. You can also drag an app to the middle right or middle left side of your screen to immediately create a side-by-side Snap.
Drag and drop an app to the upper middle of your screen
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Select and drag the window or app you would like to Snap to the upper middle of your screen. The Snap layout box will display automatically.
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Drop the app into the layout you want to use.
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Use Snap Assist to fill the layout with other apps you would like to Snap together.
There are two ways to use your keyboard to Snap in Windows:
Use your keyboard to open the Snap layout box
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Press the Windows Logo Key + Z to display the layout box.
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Enter the number of the layout you want to use, then enter the number where you want your window positioned in that layout. You can also use your mouse to select the preferred layout.
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Use Snap Assist to fill the layout with other windows or apps you'd like to Snap together on the same screen.
Use your keyboard arrows to open the Snap layout
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Press and hold the Windows Logo Key + Arrow to Snap the app you are on. You can keep changing positions of the snap using your keyboard arrows.
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Use the Left Arrow to position the app on the left side of your screen
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Use the Right Arrow to position the app on the right side of your screen
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Use the Up Arrow to position the app on the upper side of your screen.
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When you've found the Snap location you want, release the Windows Logo Key to position the Snap.
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Use Snap Assist to fill the layout with other windows or apps you'd like to Snap together on the same screen.
Related topics
Get more done with multitasking in Windows
Snap makes it easier to neatly organize your open windows on your desktop so you can quickly access the things that are important to you, when you need them. You can use Snap to arrange all your open windows using the mouse, keyboard, or the Snap Assist feature.
Here are some ways to take advantage of Snap. Select any of the headers, and it will open to display more content:
Use your mouse to Snap in Windows:
-
Select and drag the window or app you'd like to Snap to the side or edge of your screen. The Snap layout box will display automatically.
-
Drop the app into the layout you want to use.
-
Use Snap Assist to fill the layout with other windows or apps you'd like to Snap together. You can also drag an app to the middle right or middle left side of your screen to immediately create a side-by-side Snap.
Use your keyboard to Snap in Windows:
-
Press and hold the Windows Logo Key + Arrow to Snap the app you are on. You can change positions of the snap using your keyboard arrows.
-
Use the Left Arrow to position the app on the left side of your screen
-
Use the Right Arrow to position the app on the right side of your screen
-
Use the Up Arrow to position the app on the upper part of your screen.
-
-
When you've found the Snap location you want, release the Windows Logo Key to position the Snap.
-
Use Snap Assist to fill the layout with other windows or apps you'd like to Snap together on the same screen.
The Snap Assist tool will automatically appear once you have snapped your first window. Snap Assist will display all other open windows as thumbnails so you can choose which windows you would like to add to the selected layout.
Snap Assist allows you to resize the layout boxes size by selecting and dragging the dividing lines. Resize a window on one side, and the adjoining window will resize itself to fit alongside so you don't have any wasted screen space.
Tip: If you're a small business owner looking for more information on how to get Microsoft 365 set up, visit Small business help & learning.
Related topics
Get more done with multitasking in Windows
