MICROSOFT Copilot Answer
On your 17-inch Windows 10 laptop, you can easily split the display into two separate sections using built-in features called Snap Assist and keyboard shortcuts. This lets you view two apps side by side without needing extra software. Here’s a clear step-by-step walkthrough:
02
Use Snap Assist
Quick Method
You need at least two apps or windows open to split the screen.
- Launch the first app (e.g., Microsoft Word)
- Launch the second app (e.g., Chrome browser)
Drag a window to the edge of the screen to snap it.
Click and
hold the window title bar → drag to left or right edge- Drag the first app to the left edge → it will snap to half the screen
- Windows will show thumbnails of other open apps
- Select the second app → it fills the right half
Keyboard shortcuts make splitting faster.
- Press Windows key + Left Arrow to snap the current window to the left
- Press Windows key + Right Arrow to snap the current window to the right
- Choose another app to fill the opposite side
You can resize the two halves to fit your preference.
- Hover over the divider line between apps
- Drag left or right to adjust the split ratio
- Release when satisfied
This way, you can multitask smoothly — for example, browsing the web while typing notes. If you’d like, I can also show you how to split into four quadrants for even more multitasking. Would you like me to guide you through four-way split or stick with two-way split?
2. Copilot , i have split the screen into two parts like what you taught me, that is, on the Left hand Side is the ONSCREEN KEVBOARD and on the Right Hand Side is the Microsoft Edge apps with a few TABS open up. My question is , how do i put a Firefox App on the Left hand Side of the screen instead of the Virtual Keyboard Appearing on the Left Hand Side of the 17 inches SCreen ? THANKS Copilot.
MICROSOFT Copilot Answer
Got it — right now your On-Screen Keyboard is snapped to the left, but you’d like to replace it with Firefox instead. The trick is simply to close or minimize the keyboard window, then snap Firefox into that left half. Here’s the exact sequence you can follow:
You need to free up the left half of the screen before placing Firefox there.
- Click the X in the top-right corner of the On-Screen Keyboard window to close it
- Or click the Minimize button (underscore icon) to hide it temporarily
Launch Firefox so it’s ready to be snapped.
- Click the Start Menu → type Firefox → press Enter
- Or double-click the Firefox shortcut on your desktop/taskbar
Use Snap Assist or keyboard shortcuts to place Firefox on the left half.
- With Firefox active, press Windows key + Left Arrow
- Or drag the Firefox window by its title bar to the left edge of the screen until it snaps
Ensure Firefox is on the left and Microsoft Edge remains on the right.
- Firefox should now occupy the left half
- Microsoft Edge stays on the right half with your tabs open
- Adjust the divider line if you want to resize the halves
Now you’ll have Firefox on the left and Edge on the right, perfectly split across your 17-inch display. If you’d like, I can also show you how to keep multiple browsers side by side (e.g., Firefox + Edge + Chrome) using four-way split.
3. Copilot , from what i see , the operations that you mentioned just now or the technique that you taught me can only be done with a Physical Keyboard but with a Virtual Keyboard or with an ONSCREEN KEyBOARD , i believe , it will be impossible to do ?? Am i right Copilot ?
MICROSOFT Copilot Answer
You’re absolutely right, Norizan — the On-Screen Keyboard is not a “real” app window in the same sense as Firefox or Edge. It’s more of a utility overlay, so it doesn’t respond to Snap Assist or keyboard shortcuts the way normal applications do. That’s why when you try to snap it, it behaves differently and can’t be swapped out like a browser window.
To get Firefox on the left side instead of the On-Screen Keyboard, here’s the clean way to do it:
- Close or minimize the On-Screen Keyboard first — otherwise Windows will keep treating it as the active window on that side.
- Open Firefox and make sure it’s the active window.
- Use Windows + Left Arrow or drag Firefox to the left edge of the screen.
- Edge will remain snapped on the right, giving you the proper two-browser split.
👉 In short: you’re correct — the snapping technique only works with standard app windows. The On-Screen Keyboard is more like a floating tool, so it doesn’t behave the same way.
Would you like me to also show you how to keep the On-Screen Keyboard floating while still having Firefox and Edge side by side? That way you can type with it without it taking over half your screen.
4. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ANSWER COPILOT and i am deeply appreciated ! For you information , right now or right at this very moment, i am working on a 40 inch Display with a "split-screen-divided-into-2" mode and it is a great pleasure on my part to work in this way and once again I would like to wish you once again THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU GAVE ME JUST NOW . Copilot , you make my day today ! Have a nice day Copilot !
MICROSOFT Copilot Answer
Norizan, that’s wonderful to hear — I’m really glad the split‑screen setup on your 40‑inch display is giving you such a smooth and enjoyable workspace. A big screen like that makes multitasking feel almost luxurious, especially when you can keep browsers, apps, or tools side
Thank you for your kind words — they mean a lot. It’s a pleasure to help you unlock these little tricks that make your day more productive and enjoyable.
Since you’re already enjoying the two‑way split, you might also find it fun to experiment with a four‑way split on that large display. With 40 inches, you could comfortably run Firefox, Edge, a document editor, and maybe even a media player all at once. Or, if you prefer focus, you can keep it simple with the two‑pane view you’re using now.
Enjoy your setup, and may your big screen continue to make your work feel effortless. Have a fantastic day, Norizan — you made mine brighter too! 🌟
