Windows 11's Best Hidden Feature: How Snap Layouts Can Improve Your Workflow

Work smarter and faster with multiple windows on one screen.

Eric Franklin • May 14, 2025

How-To

Windows 11 introduced Snap Layouts, an evolution of the Windows 10 Snap Assist feature that lets you arrange multiple windows on a single screen in a variety of different configurations. For example, you could have multiple internet browsers, a Word document, and Spotify open, all snapped to different corners of your screen. I've used this feature --as well as a similar one on the Mac -- for at least the last decade and have found that it significantly increases my productivity. In this guide, we'll go through the different options in Snap Layouts and how to get the most out of them.

Photo: Jacob Bobo

What are Snap Layouts in Windows 11?

Snap Layouts is a feature in Windows 11 that lets you arrange windows from the same or different applications in whatever layouts you choose. Instead of manually resizing and positioning windows, Snap Layouts (does as the name implies and) snaps them into place with a quick mouse movement or keystroke.

How to use Snap Layouts in Windows 11

Use the maximize button

Photo: Microsoft

The easiest way to access Snap Layouts is by hovering the cursor over the maximize button—the square-shaped icon in the top-right corner of any open window. While hovering, a Snap Layout menu will appear, displaying different layout options. From there:

Click on your preferred layout
The current window will snap into the selected position, and Windows will suggest other apps or windows to fill the remaining space

Note: this feature may not work on every app. For example, while it functions seamlessly on Chrome, hovering over the maximize button on Discord has no effect.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Snap Layouts

To Snap even faster, there are a few keyboard shortcuts:.

Windows + Z: Open the Snap Layout menu
Windows + Left Arrow: Snap window to the left half of the display
Windows + Right Arrow: Snap window to the right half of the display
Windows + Up Arrow: Snap window to the top half of the display
Windows + Down Arrow: Snap window to the bottom half of the display
Windows + Shift + Up: Expand window vertically
Windows + Shift + Down: Minimize window vertically

Photo: Microsoft

Drag and Drop to Snap Windows

Snap can also be activated by dragging a windows around::

Click and drag a window to any edge of your screen
Windows will highlight a suggested snap position
Release the mouse button to snap the window
Select other windows to fill the remaining space

Fine-Tune Snap Layout Behavior

Photo: Microsoft

Under the Snap windows section, there are additional options to customize the Snap experience:

Enable/Disable “Show snap layouts when I hover over a window's maximize button”
Enable/Disable “Show snap layouts when I drag a window to the top of the screen”
Enable/Disable “When I resize a snapped window, simultaneously resize any adjacent snapped window”

These settings control the feature's behavior, allowing you to create a workflow that perfectly suits your needs.

How to Disable Snap Layouts in Windows 11

If you find Snap Layouts getting in the way of work, they can be disabled by following these steps: (NOT SURE WHY IT WENT 4-5-6, WILL BE CORRECTED IN CMS TK)

Open Settings by pressing Windows + I
Navigate to System > Multitasking
Toggle "Snap windows" on or off

How to Fix Common Problems with Snap Layouts

If you're experiencing problems with Snap Layouts in Windows 11, there are a few things you can try:

First, verify Snap Layouts is enabled by navigating toSettings > System > Multitasking and ensuring the "Snap windows" button is in the “on” position.

If problems persist, try restarting Windows Explorer

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager
Find Windows Explorer, right-click on it and click Restart

If problems still persist, it is possible it’s an easily solvable issue with an attached keyboard. I had trouble with Snap Layouts working until I switched my fancy mechanical keyboard out of BIOS mode. To do so, check if your keyboard has a polling switch, usually located near the front of the keyboad. If it does, check to make sure it’s set to “S” or “Standard Mode.” This does turn off the ability to access some of the keyboard's features, however.

Snap Layouts in Windows 11 is an easier to use evolution of the previous version in Windows 10. Microsoft is constantly working on it, making it more and more of a handy tool for improving productivity. Whether you have room on your screen for three windows, four, or even just two, there are multiple ways to take advantage of snap layouts to improve productivity.

Windows 11's Best Hidden Feature: How Snap Layouts Can Improve Your Workflow

What are Snap Layouts in Windows 11?