Working with multiple applications simultaneously can significantly boost your productivity. One effective way to achieve this is by opening two screens side by side on your laptop. This arrangement allows you to view and interact with two different applications or documents at the same time, streamlining your workflow. This guide provides a detailed explanation on how to accomplish this on various operating systems.
Understanding the Benefits of Side-by-Side Screens
Before diving into the technical aspects, let’s appreciate the advantages of having two applications displayed side by side. The most prominent benefit is enhanced multitasking. You no longer need to constantly switch between windows, saving you valuable time and mental energy.
Another advantage is improved data comparison and analysis. If you’re working with spreadsheets, documents, or code, comparing information becomes much easier when both sources are visible simultaneously. This is especially helpful for tasks like proofreading, data entry, and debugging.
Furthermore, side-by-side screens facilitate a smoother workflow. Imagine writing a report while simultaneously referring to research articles. The seamless access to both resources can significantly enhance your focus and reduce distractions.
Opening Two Screens Side by Side on Windows
Windows offers several built-in methods to arrange windows side by side. Let’s explore some of the most popular and efficient techniques.
Using Snap Assist
Snap Assist is a user-friendly feature that allows you to quickly position windows to fill half of your screen. To use Snap Assist, simply click and drag the title bar of the window you want to position to the left or right edge of your screen. As you drag the window towards the edge, you’ll see a translucent outline indicating the area the window will occupy.
Once the outline appears, release the mouse button. The window will automatically snap into place, filling half of the screen. If other windows are open, Windows will display them as thumbnails on the remaining side of the screen. Click on the thumbnail of the window you want to display alongside the first one, and it will snap into place.
Snap Assist is the easiest and quickest method for arranging windows side by side on Windows. It’s particularly useful for tasks that require constant interaction between the two applications.
Utilizing Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts offer an even faster way to snap windows into place. Windows provides several handy shortcuts for arranging windows efficiently. The most commonly used shortcuts for side-by-side arrangements are:
- Windows key + Left Arrow: Snaps the active window to the left side of the screen.
- Windows key + Right Arrow: Snaps the active window to the right side of the screen.
To use these shortcuts, simply select the window you want to position and then press the corresponding key combination. After snapping the first window, Windows will usually present you with thumbnails of other open windows on the remaining half of the screen, allowing you to choose the second window.
Mastering these keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up your workflow and make multitasking a breeze.
Task View for Multiple Windows Management
Task View is a feature that allows you to see all your open windows and virtual desktops in one place. It’s a useful tool for managing multiple applications and arranging them as needed.
To access Task View, you can click the Task View button on the taskbar (it usually looks like two overlapping rectangles) or press the Windows key + Tab. Task View will display thumbnails of all your open windows.
From Task View, you can easily drag and drop windows to different virtual desktops or rearrange them on your current desktop. While Task View doesn’t directly snap windows side by side, it allows you to organize your workspace effectively before using Snap Assist or keyboard shortcuts to finalize the arrangement.
Using the Mouse Manually
While not as efficient as Snap Assist or keyboard shortcuts, you can manually resize and position windows to achieve a side-by-side arrangement. This involves clicking and dragging the edges of the windows to adjust their size and then positioning them next to each other.
To do this, click and drag the edge of a window towards the center of the screen to resize it. Do this for both windows you want to have side by side. Then, click and drag the title bar of each window to position them on either side of the screen.
This method requires more precision and may take more time than the other approaches, but it offers greater flexibility in terms of window size and positioning. This manual approach can be useful if you need to have more than two applications visible simultaneously, allowing you to customize the layout according to your specific needs.
Opening Two Screens Side by Side on macOS
macOS also provides several methods for arranging windows side by side. The most common and integrated approach is using Split View.
Using Split View
Split View allows you to use two apps in full-screen mode, positioned side by side. To enter Split View, hover your cursor over the green “maximize” button in the top-left corner of a window. This will reveal a menu with three options:
- Enter Full Screen: This makes the current window full screen.
- Tile Window to Left of Screen: This positions the window on the left side of the screen.
- Tile Window to Right of Screen: This positions the window on the right side of the screen.
Select either “Tile Window to Left of Screen” or “Tile Window to Right of Screen.” The selected window will snap to the chosen side of the screen, and macOS will display other open windows as thumbnails on the remaining side. Click on the thumbnail of the window you want to display alongside the first one, and it will enter Split View with the first application.
Split View provides a distraction-free environment for focused work, as it removes the menu bar and dock. To exit Split View, simply move your cursor to the top of the screen to reveal the menu bar, then hover over the green button on either window and select “Exit Full Screen.”
Manually Resizing and Positioning Windows on macOS
Similar to Windows, you can manually resize and position windows on macOS to create a side-by-side arrangement. This involves clicking and dragging the edges and corners of the windows to adjust their size and then positioning them next to each other.
Click and drag the corner of a window to resize it. Once you have resized the windows, click the title bar of each window and drag them to either the left or right side of your screen.
While this method offers greater flexibility in terms of window size and positioning, it can be more time-consuming than using Split View.
Mission Control for Window Management on macOS
Mission Control is a feature in macOS that allows you to view all your open windows and desktops in a single overview. You can access Mission Control by swiping up with three or four fingers on your trackpad, pressing the Mission Control key on your keyboard (if available), or moving your cursor to a corner of the screen designated as a hot corner for Mission Control.
Mission Control displays thumbnails of all your open windows and desktops, allowing you to easily switch between them. While Mission Control doesn’t directly snap windows side by side, it provides a convenient way to organize your workspace before manually resizing and positioning windows or using Split View.
Tips for Optimizing Your Side-by-Side Screen Setup
Once you’ve successfully arranged your windows side by side, here are some tips to optimize your experience:
- Adjust Window Sizes: Experiment with different window sizes to find the arrangement that best suits your workflow. Some applications may benefit from having more screen real estate than others.
- Use Multiple Monitors: If you frequently work with multiple applications, consider using an external monitor. This will provide you with more screen space and allow you to display even more applications simultaneously.
- Customize Keyboard Shortcuts: Many applications allow you to customize keyboard shortcuts. Take advantage of this feature to create shortcuts that streamline your workflow when working with side-by-side screens.
- Disable Notifications: When working in a focused environment, it’s important to minimize distractions. Consider disabling notifications or using a focus assist mode to prevent interruptions.
- Utilize Virtual Desktops: Virtual desktops can further enhance your multitasking capabilities. You can create separate desktops for different tasks and arrange your windows accordingly.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While setting up side-by-side screens is generally straightforward, you may encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
- Snap Assist Not Working: If Snap Assist isn’t working, make sure it’s enabled in your Windows settings. Go to Settings > System > Multitasking and ensure that “Snap windows” is turned on.
- Split View Not Available: If Split View isn’t available on macOS, make sure that both applications support Split View. Some older applications may not be compatible.
- Windows Resizing Incorrectly: If windows are resizing incorrectly when snapping, try adjusting your display scaling settings. Go to Settings > System > Display and adjust the “Change the size of text, apps, and other items” setting.
- Difficulty Positioning Windows Manually: Manually resizing and positioning windows can be tricky. Take your time and be patient. Use the edges and corners of the windows to precisely adjust their size and position.
By following these tips and troubleshooting steps, you can create a productive and efficient side-by-side screen setup that enhances your multitasking capabilities.