How Do You Split the Screen on a Laptop Like a Pro?

Laptops are the epitome of high functionality. They are portable, efficient, and get the work done. The modern workforce relies heavily on their devices, whether Windows or MacBooks, for productivity and efficiency, even outside work hours. However, this can still be upgraded without spending a penny on hardware. The answer: Split-screen.

Split screen functionality takes our normal screen and snaps it into two so you can use multiple apps simultaneously! This blog will take things to the next level as we explore and teach how to split screen on a laptop for maximum multitasking usage, whether you are working, studying, or even gaming.

Why One Needs a Split Screen?

The split-screen mechanism has many benefits to offer.  It is a simple way to stay focused, organized, and productive. Think of it like having multiple tabs open in Chrome but on your laptop operating system. It can boost your multitasking skills by letting you work across multiple programs simultaneously without the hassle of switching between windows.

Plus, it makes tasks like taking notes much easier, and you can jot things down while tackling more complex tasks simultaneously! Now, for the million-dollar question- ‘how to do this split screen on a laptop?’ The answer differs for all operating systems: Windows, Mac, and Chrome.

Split Your Laptop Screen on Windows Faster

There are several ways to split a screen on your Windows, with the easiest being the Snap Windows option.

The first step would be to turn on Snap Windows. Select Start, go to Settings > System > Multitasking. Select the button next to Snap Windows to slide it on. Now you are ready to use Split Screen.

Now, there are multiple steps to split the screen according to the version of Windows you are using. For Windows 11 users, the most convenient option comes pre-built in.

1. First, you need two or more windows open on your laptop.
2. Hover the arrow on the Maximize option in the upper-right corner of any windows.
3. A pop-up will be visible where you can select between many different snap window layout options, and your screen will be split accordingly!

However, for Windows 10 or below, it takes a bit more than that.

1. Place your mouse on the empty area at the top of one of the windows. Long-press the left mouse button and drag the window to the edge of your screen until your mouse no longer moves.
2. An outline indicates where the window will snap once you drop it. Drag it to the left or right side of your screen, depending on where you want to snap it.
3. Select any other open windows to snap them to the other side of the screen.

You will have successfully mastered splitting the screen by following these simple steps. Let’s take things further now.

4. Now that the two screens are beside each other, you should resize the windows to fit your needs. Hover the arrow over the middle line dividing the two windows until a thick gray bar appears. This is the dividing line. Move the line to the right or left according to your window needs and conquer productivity like never before!

Bonus Shortcut

To simplify things even further, master splitting the screen at the instant press of keys. Learn this keyboard hack to make your life easier and simpler.

1. Press the Windows key and then the left arrow key to snap your desired window to the left side of the screen.
2. For another window, press and hold the Windows and then the right key to snap it to the right side of the screen.

Achieve Productivity by Splitting Screen on MacOS

Macintosh operating systems also come with a built-in Split View functionality. To access this feature,

1. First, open the two windows you would like to use with Split View.
2. Hover your mouse over the green ‘Full Screen’ button at the top of a window until three options appear. Select ‘Tile Window to Left/Right of Screen’ to get the desired Split View.

3. You will then see a list of currently open windows on the other side of the screen, which you can click to tile to the other side of the display.

4. When two windows are snapped to the sides of the screen, you can click and drag on the black partition between them to resize each window’s width.

How do you split your screen with ease on ChromeOS?

You can use different methods to achieve the split-screen view on your Chromebook. Follow these simple steps to improve productivity in the most straightforward ways possible.

Method 1

1. Open one or more windows on your device.
2. Hover over the Maximize/Restore button in the window’s upper-right corner. From here, you will be able to see the layout options for your screen.
3. Hover the mouse over the layout you want to use.
4. Left-click the space where you want the window to be.
5. Repeat the same steps for the next window you want for the other side of the screen.

Method 2

1. Open a new Chrome app or window.
2. Move your cursor to the top of the window.
3. Use your trackpad to drag the window to the side of the screen you want it to be. A preview highlight shows where the window will snap when you’re done.
4. Let go of the mouse when you’re on the side of the screen where you want the window to snap.

Keyboard Shortcut

1. Launch a Chrome window or an app.
2. Press Alt + [ to move the window to the left side of the screen or Alt + ] to move it to the right.

Now Multitask Like a Pro

Working on multiple windows on your laptop is inevitable but can be a major productivity killer. To combat this, a split screen is the perfect solution to carry out multiple tasks simultaneously without losing focus, time, or peak productivity performance. This remarkable feature lets you turn your plain old laptop into the workstation of your dreams without spending on screen extensions!

Digital marketers and software engineers understand the challenge of splitting a screen to work on multiple programs simultaneously. Still, by following a few simple steps, you can now take notes simultaneously while taking your meeting, read from two different windows, or even watch multiple videos simultaneously. The possibilities are endless! Share with us why and how you use this cool feature and any tips you might have to improve the experience for others.