[Windows 11] Enhanced "snap" that allows you to split and arrange multiple windows quickly What is its power? : Tech TIPS

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For: Windows 11

　"Snap", which has been implemented since Windows 8, is a function that automatically maximizes the window by dragging it to the left, right, or to the four corners of the desktop, or arranges it side by side in the left and right halves. is. In Windows 8.1, depending on the resolution of the display, it is now possible to arrange the application windows in up to four divisions.

　This is a convenient function for those who want to arrange the application windows neatly and work. On the other hand, some people find it frustrating that when they drag to move overlapping application windows while working, the windows are automatically laid out in the right half or the like due to snapping (I am one of them). Therefore, after installing Windows 10, some people may have turned off the snap function as soon as possible.

In Windows 11, this snap function has been enhanced, such as being able to select the snap layout with the [Maximize] button in the app window.

　People who disabled the snap function in Windows 10 may find it useful in Windows 11. Therefore, in this Tech TIPS, I summarized how to use the snap function of Windows 11.

　The snap function cannot be used with apps that cannot change the window size, such as the "PC Health Check" tool. Also note that if you upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, your Windows 10 settings will be preserved.

Disable the snap function

　If you don't want to use the application windows side by side, you don't want the windows to be arranged arbitrarily when you drag them, so disable the snap function. Better do.

　To do so, launch the [Settings] app from the [Start] menu, select [System] in the left pane, and select [Multitasking] in the right pane. The right pane will switch to the [Multitasking] screen, so you can turn off the "Snap window" switch here.

　The snap function is now disabled, and even if you drag the app window to the edge of the screen, it will not be arranged arbitrarily. The layout display that appears when you hover the mouse over the [Maximize] button of the application window described later will also disappear.

Basic usage of the snap function

　The usage of the snap function has not changed much from Windows 10. If you drag the app window to the left, right, or corners of the desktop, a translucent area will appear on the desktop. When you release the mouse button in that state, the app window will be placed in the translucent area.

　The basic division size is a combination of 2 divisions on the left and right or 2 divisions on the top, bottom, left and right. If you want to divide the screen into four by dragging, drag the app window to the left or right of the screen until a semi-transparent area appears on half of the desktop, then slowly drag the app window up or down in that state. go. The translucent area should be 1/4. It takes some getting used to dragging app windows into the desired layout.

　The snapped app window can also be resized. For example, by dragging the left side of the app window snapped to the right half, the window size can be expanded. If the width is narrow even after snapping to a web browser, drag the left and right sides of the window to widen the width.

Change the settings of the snap function

　There are several items that can be set in the snap function. To change the settings, open the [System]-[Multitasking] screen in the [Settings] app and click the [v] part to the right of the "Snap windows" switch to expand the settings menu. There are 6 items that can be set.

　"When I snap a window, show what can be placed next to it", "When I snap a window, automatically resize it to fit the available space", "When I snap a window, When resizing a single window, resize adjacent snapped windows at the same time" are the same as Windows 10's snap feature.

"Show a snap layout when the cursor is placed on the maximize button of the window", "Show a snap layout containing the app when the cursor is placed on the taskbar button", "Drag the window Snap windows without having to drag them to the edge of the screen" are three new features in Windows 11.

Let's briefly explain the behavior when each item is checked.

Display app windows that can be placed horizontally

If you check "Show what can be placed horizontally when you snap a window", the app window will be snapped. When, app windows that can be placed are lined up in the horizontal area. If you click the window you want to place in that area here, that app window will be placed.

At this time, if you click the snapped app window, the other app windows will return to their original state.

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