How to Use Snap Layouts in Windows 11

Windows 11 might not be exactly revolutionary, but some features are just plain useful, and Instant Layouts are one of them. Replacing Windows 10's drag-and-drop snap helper feature, Snap Layouts let you quickly and neatly arrange your apps on your desktop, making them much easier to view and use at the same time. time. (Certainly, it's much better than the constant Alt-Tab switching between apps that many of us are used to.)

Here's how you set it up:

• Hover your cursor over the maximize icon in the upper right corner of an app or press Win-Z. You'll see four (or six if you have a large monitor) different grid layouts to choose from. Each layout will have multiple zones in a different configuration.
• Choose a layout and hover over the area where you want to place your active app. This area will turn blue; Click on it. Your application will then snap into this position.

• If you had other applications open, they may appear as thumbnails in another of the areas. Alt-Tab to each open app and choose the zone you want that app to be in. You can also just click on the app if it's in the area you want it to be.

(Note:Sometimes while rearranging an app can overlap. If things get confusing, use Alt-Tab to see where each app is or find them in the taskbar. )

And you're good to go!

Your instant layout will also be reflected in the taskbar. If you go to the taskbar and hover over the icon of one of the apps in your layout, you'll see a thumbnail for both the app and the layout group it's part of; you can click either one.

Need to maximize an app? Just click on the expand icon. Click it again and the app will revert to its old configuration.

Adjust layout settings

You can adjust the snapping layouts by going to "Settings"> "System"> "Multitasking". You have a variety of options that you can enable or disable. For example, you can choose not to show the snap layout feature when you hover over the magnify symbol or when you hover over your app icon in the taskbar. You can make other windows resize automatically when you resize one manually. And, of course, you can completely disable the feature.

Learn how to use it

When you start using Instant Layouts, it can take a bit of getting used to, especially when it comes to deciding which app goes where. Once you're set, however, you might find that Instant Layouts make it easier, for example, to monitor your Twitter or Slack account while working on a document or watching a video. Granted, if you have a smaller screen, having more than two apps open at once can make things a little cluttered, but it's worth experimenting a bit to see what works for you.