Friday, September 9, 2022

How to use the Window Split screen feature and fix its issues: Know all about the use and the possible fixes

You can utilize two or more programs simultaneously with the help of the split-screen capability. You can use this function to split the screen of your Windows 11 desktop or laptop into two or more sections. Any area of the screen can be used by the app you want to launch. This capability has been available in Windows for a while, but there haven't been many devices with smaller screens. When using two programs simultaneously in the past, you could only divide your screen into two sections.


However, Windows 11 has a frustrating problem that prevents you from using Split-Screen mode to run two programs simultaneously. No matter if you wish to use this new operating system function on a desktop or laptop, it isn't very effective on either one! Although Microsoft has not yet addressed this, we were able to identify a simple fix. This guide will assist you in resolving the Split-Screen issue on a Windows 11 PC.


How to use the split screen feature in Windows 11 


  • To launch Windows Settings, first, click the "Windows + I" keyboard shortcut on a Windows 11 computer. Open "Multitasking" from the "System" menu here.


  • The "Snap Windows" toggle should then be enabled. This will give you access to Windows 11's new screen-splitting tool, Snap layout (formerly known as Snap Assist).


  • Now, the Snap layout will show up when you hover over the window's maximize button. The window will move to the left when you click the left column.


  • You can select a different window on the right. The window size can also be changed by dragging the placement slider left or right.


  • Other Snap layouts are also available if you want to divide the screen into three halves and horizontally.


  • Additionally, click on the title bar and drag it to the desired position to make the windows fit into four corners. For instance, if you drag it to the top-left corner, it will automatically snap in that location. Other windows can now be snapped to any location.


Using Windows 11 Snap layouts

With Snap Layouts built right into each window's maximize button, Windows 11 has made splitting the screen much simpler and faster. It's not necessary to use the keyboard shortcuts or hold down the shift key while dragging a window to the side to make it snap.


Hover your mouse over a window's maximize button, which is located in the top-right corner, to use Snap Layouts in Windows 11. There will be four or six alternatives in a little box to split the screen.


  • The first option divides the screen into two equally sized halves, so both windows will take up the same amount of space.


  • The second one divided the screen in half as well, but the allocation of screen space taken up by the windows was uneven. The one on the left in this instance takes up more room than the one on the right.


  • The third option divides the screen into three sections, with one window on the left half and two additional quarters on the right.

  • With the fourth option, the screen is divided into four sections, with each window taking up a quarter of the overall space.


Split screen into two screen


  • Open the program windows you want to divide, place your mouse cursor on the maximize button, and then choose one of the first option's components.


  • The currently open app window will now snap into the chosen half of the screen, and other open apps will be visible there as thumbnails. Select the person you want to include on the other half of the screen.


  • Two app windows are now visible on the screen. You can concurrently access and work on them.


  • The windows can also be adjusted in size.




Split screen into 3 screens


  • There is an option to divide the screen into three halves if you intend to work on three apps at once. To choose one of the three components in the third choice, place the cursor on the maximize button. Although the idea is still the same, we have chosen a quarter for your ease of understanding.


  • The top-right quadrant of the screen will accommodate the current window, while the left half will show thumbnails of the other active windows. Choose the second window you wish to work on from the list. Additionally, keep in mind that since it would take up twice as much room as the other two, pick the option that calls for more focus and clarity.


Split screen into 4 screens


  • The idea behind dividing the screen into four halves is much the same as what we covered in the previous section. To select the preferred quarter in the last option and the other programs to be on the split screen in accordance, move the cursor over the maximize button of the current window.



How to fix the split screen issue on Windows 11


Restarting the OS


Before attempting any additional troubleshooting techniques, it is always a good idea to try rebooting the computer. On my PC, I've had trouble getting the split-screen to function. Restarting the computer quickly resolved the issue.


  • On the screen, click the Windows key.It will launch the Windows search window.

  • Click on the Power icon in the search console's bottom right corner.

  • Choose Restart from the menu that appears.

  • Try using split-screen once the computer restarts and many windows are open. Try the following fixes if the functionality isn't functioning.


Restarting Explorer.exe


Click the most pertinent result after entering Task Manager using the Windows+S keyboard shortcut.

Find the task for Explorer.exe under the Details tab after launching the Task Manager window. When you locate it, right-click it and choose "End Task."


  • Go to File now and choose Run new task.

  • Click OK after launching Explorer.

  • The issue ought to be fixed after closing the window and restarting explorer.exe. If it persists, you should restart your computer from scratch and monitor what occurs after that.


Updating Graphics Drivers


Drivers are programs that instruct your hardware on how to operate. The efficiency and security of your device are improved by keeping them up to date, yet many people neglect to do so.


  • Click on Computer in Windows Explorer, then choose Properties to see if your graphics card has the latest drivers. Your graphics card can be found by clicking Device Manager. Update Driver Software can be chosen by right-clicking it.


  • When a new update is available, Windows will update your driver automatically if you have enabled automatic updates. If not, you will need to manually go to the AMD or Nvidia websites and download updated drivers, which when installed should fix your issue.


Using an external monitor


Split-screen in Windows 11 has a rather straightforward fix. Use an extra monitor if you want to benefit from the multi-monitor feature. Use a cheap adapter cable to connect your monitor to an external display rather than running two monitors off your laptop or tablet. This will make it possible for both screens to function seamlessly together. Additionally, there are a couple additional options you can try if it doesn't work for you.


You might also experiment with the display settings. From your control panel, select numerous screens and then decide whether to extend them.


Uninstalling third party apps or services

You can also look at the apps you recently installed on your computer, which might have come from an unreliable source. These apps frequently introduce viruses or alter the Windows system settings. Numerous technical problems with the PC could result from this. The split-screen feature not functioning as intended may be one of them.


On your computer, remove any recently installed applications. After that, restart the computer and see if your PC's split-screen capability is operational or not.


 Fixes Windows 11 Snap feature not working


Some applications don't support the capability, as we previously said. In some programs, using the Snap keyboard keys or hovering your cursor over the Minimize button will have no effect while you are in fullscreen mode. Skitch is an excellent instance.


Therefore, be careful not to mistake Snap Layouts' malfunction with one app's lack of responsiveness. Check the feature's functionality with another software, such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, by opening it. When you divide other programs, you'll find that incompatible programs won't show up in the suggestion window.


However, you are still free to adjust their size while using other apps in the multi-window grid.


Updating your PC

The issue might also be related to your current version of Windows 11, particularly if you're still using an Insider Preview release.


Microsoft regularly publishes patches to address the flaws that cause these issues. To install the newest Insider release, go to the Windows Update client:


  • Select the Settings icon by clicking the Start button.

  • Choosing the Settings icon


  • Once the program has opened, click on Windows Update.

  • Download and install any updates that are available, and if asked, restart your computer.

  • Install all available updates and restart your computer as necessary.


  • If you experience a problem with your new Insider build, you might want to install the Microsoft official release. Head to this guide on how to download and install Windows 11 to do.

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