Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

How to use Windows 11 Snap Groups

Windows 11 brings many new features to play with, and one of those is known as Snap Groups. Though you’ve already been multitasking in Windows 10 with the ability to “snap” windows to various places on your screen, Windows 11 takes that feature to the next level.

Snap Groups are actually the groups that are saved when you create a layout via the Snap layouts feature in Windows 11. If you’re wondering how that works, then we’ve got you covered with our Windows 11 guide on how to use Snap Groups.

Recommended Videos

Want to make Windows 11 look a bit more like the Windows of old? Check out our other guide on how you can move the taskbar.

Step 1: Create a Snap layout

Before jumping into creating a Snap Group, you need to first create a Snap layout to multitask with. You can do this in a few simple steps. To begin, a Snap layout can be created by first opening up all the programs you want to multitask with.

Once you have all the programs open, pull one to the front of the screen, and hover your mouse over the Maximize button (the second from the left on the top-right of your screen.) You’ll then see one of six ways to tile and “snap” your open windows.

You can tile two Windows side by size at an even length, side by side with one side bigger, straight down the middle in a vertical column, straight down the middle with the middle one being bigger, and more. You even can group the windows in a four-square grid.

After hitting the Snap Layout button, just click on one program. Windows will suggest ways for you to tile the other programs in to fill the Snap Layout shortly after. You can then keep working with your open windows now neatly organized.

Step 2: Check the taskbar for Snap Groups

The Windows 11 taskbar showing Snap Groups.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Once you create a Snap layout in Windows 11, you can head down to your Taskbar. Hover the mouse over your Taskbar to see the newly created Snap Group. The group should be clearly labeled, and you’ll see a preview of the group in the same layout you just created. You can minimize and get access to the group all at once without having to control each window individually, as it was in Windows 10. It also helps keep the bottom of the screen clean by combining your windows.

What to do if you don’t see Snap layouts or Snap Groups

Snap layouts and Snap Groups should be turned on by default in Windows 11. If you’re not seeing the feature, then there is the chance the setting might be disabled. You can re-enable it very easily. Open Windows 11 Settings, and then click on System. From there, click Multitasking. Make sure the toggle switch for Snap Windows is on. Then, click the Down Arrow next to the switch and make sure all the other boxes are checked. You can now enjoy multitasking in Windows 11 and get the most out of your PC — and your day at work or school!

Arif Bacchus
Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…
Windows 11 can now use AI to respond to your text messages
The Phone Link app being used on a phone and laptop screen.

Microsoft has started rolling out a helpful Suggested Replies feature in the Phone Link app that gives users AI-powered text suggestions for quick replies to their messages, the software giant stated in a Support blog post.

The new feature uses Microsoft's Cloud AI models to create short replies to specific messages, resulting in faster response times. It is rolling out in Phone Link version 1.24082.137.0 for Windows 11 24H2 and 23H2. You don't need to be in the Windows Insider Program to try out the feature, but you won't see the Suggest Replies feature on all messages. You'll only see the suggestions when the Phone Link's AI can understand the message.

Read more
Microsoft is finally making Copilot+ laptops useful for AI
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 front view in tablet mode.

Microsoft's Copilot+ PC initiative has been a smash hit, with many of them landing among the best laptops, but not for the AI hardware inside. Now, finally, Microsoft is putting the neural processing unit (NPU) inside Copilot+ PCs to good use. Starting today and going throughout the next two months, Microsoft will begin rolling out the 24H2 update for all Windows 11 PCs, and in the process, unlock several features for Copilot+ PCs, including the highly controversial Recall.

Recall is definitely the star of the show here, which will start showing up on Copilot+ laptops with a Snapdragon X chipset throughout October. Last week, Microsoft laid the groundwork for the release of Recall, detailing the security architecture of the feature and addressing some major criticisms of it. Now, for example, Recall is turned off instead of on by default. Microsoft is also allowing users to filter websites and giving users more control over their snapshots, including deleting them all.

Read more
Whatever you do, don’t install the Windows 11 September update
Windows 11 logo on a laptop.

Microsoft has warned users in a post on its support blog that the September KB5043145 update, released on Thursday, is causing some Windows 11 PCs to restart multiple times, show the blue screen of death, or even freeze.

The problems in the recent update affect those on the 22H2 or 23H3 version of Windows 11. However, Microsoft said it is investigating the issue and will provide more information when it's available. Microsoft confirmed: "After installing this update, some customers have reported that their device restarts multiple times or becomes unresponsive with blue or green screens. According to the reports, some devices automatically open the Automatic Repair tool after repeated restart attempts. In some cases, BitLocker recovery can also be triggered."

Read more