If you’re working with multiple apps and windows at once, Windows offers several powerful multitasking features that help you organize your desktop, maximize screen space, and boost productivity.
In this guide, we’ll explore three essential multitasking tools:
✅ Snap Layouts
✅ Virtual Desktops
✅ Split View (Snap Assist)
These features are especially useful for users with single or dual monitors, whether you’re working from home, managing projects, or just trying to keep things tidy on your screen.
✅ 1. Snap Layouts – Arrange Windows with Precision
What It Does:
Snap Layouts lets you drag windows to the edges or corners of your screen, automatically resizing and arranging them in a clean layout. This is perfect when you want to view multiple apps side by side without manually resizing each window.
How to Use It:
- Click and hold the title bar of any open window.
- Drag it to the left or right edge of the screen — it will snap into place and show available layouts.
- Select a layout by clicking another window, or press Esc to cancel.
💡 Tip: Press
Win + Left ArroworWin + Right Arrowto snap windows to either side quickly.
Best For:
- Comparing documents
- Watching videos while browsing
- Keeping email and calendar side-by-side
✅ 2. Virtual Desktops – Create Multiple Workspaces
What It Does:
Virtual Desktops allow you to create separate desktop environments, each with its own set of open apps and windows. Think of it like having multiple monitors — but all on one screen.
How to Use It:
Create a New Desktop:
- Press
Win + Ctrl + D
Or click the Task View button (next to the search bar) > New desktop
Switch Between Desktops:
- Press
Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow
Close a Desktop:
- Open Task View
- Hover over the desktop you want to close
- Click the X in the top-right corner
💡 Tip: You can assign different apps to different desktops — e.g., one for work, one for personal use, one for creative tools.
✅ 3. Split View (Snap Assist) – Side-by-Side App Viewing
What It Does:
Split View (also known as Snap Assist) allows you to run two apps side by side, filling the entire screen with both. It’s ideal for multitasking between two tasks at once.
How to Use It:
- Drag a window to the left or right edge of the screen until it snaps.
- A preview of other open windows appears — click one to fill the remaining space.
- Both apps now appear in full-screen split view.
💡 Tip: In Windows 11, you can also choose landscape or portrait split modes for more flexibility.
Best For:
- Reading PDFs while taking notes
- Chatting in Teams while editing a document
- Monitoring dashboards alongside reports
🧰 Bonus: Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Multitasking
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Snap window left/right | Win + ← / → |
| Create new virtual desktop | Win + Ctrl + D |
| Switch between desktops | Win + Ctrl + ← / → |
| Show Task View | Win + Tab |
| Enter Split View | Drag window to screen edge |
📊 Summary Table: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Purpose | Best For | Keyboard Shortcuts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snap Layouts | Organize multiple windows neatly | Multitasking across 3+ apps | Win + ← / →, Drag to edge |
| Virtual Desktops | Separate workflows into multiple spaces | Managing different tasks or roles | Win + Ctrl + D, Win + Ctrl + ← / → |
| Split View | Two-app side-by-side viewing | Focused multitasking between two apps | Drag to edge, then select app |
🏁 Final Thoughts & Recommendation
Here’s how to choose which feature to use based on your workflow:
| If You Need To… | Then Use This Feature |
|---|---|
| Compare documents or watch video while browsing | Split View |
| Manage many apps without clutter | Snap Layouts |
| Keep work and personal tasks separate | Virtual Desktops |
| Combine all of the above | Mix Snap + Split + Virtual Desktops |
💡 Pro Tip: Combine these tools — use Virtual Desktops to separate contexts, Snap Layouts to organize within them, and Split View for focused side-by-side work.
🏁 By mastering these three multitasking tools, you’ll make the most of your screen real estate and stay productive no matter how many apps you have open. Start organizing your digital workspace today!
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