How to Stop Split Screen on Windows 11: A Quick and Easy Guide

Ever found your screen automatically splitting into halves or quadrants when you drag a window around? That’s Windows 11’s Snap Assist feature at work — and while it’s incredibly useful for multitasking, not everyone loves it.

If you’re tired of windows snapping into place every time you move them, this guide will show you exactly how to stop split screen on Windows 11, step by step.

We’ll cover multiple methods, from quick settings tweaks to advanced registry changes, so you can regain full control over how your windows behave.

Table of Contents

🧭 Quick Summary: Key Takeaways

Goal	How to Achieve It
Disable split screen completely	Turn off Snap Assist in Settings → Multitasking
Temporarily stop snapping	Use the keyboard shortcut or drag windows carefully
Customize snapping	Change Snap layout options in System Settings
Advanced users	Disable via Registry Editor or Group Policy
Works on	Windows 11 Home, Pro, Education, and Enterprise

What Is Split Screen (Snap Assist) in Windows 11?

Windows 11 introduced a refined Snap Layouts and Snap Assist feature that lets you quickly organize multiple apps side-by-side.

For example, when you drag a window to the left edge, it automatically resizes to fill half the screen — that’s the split screen effect.

💡 Key Split Screen Features:

Dragging a window to screen edges splits it automatically
Hovering over the maximize button shows layout suggestions
Lets you multitask with 2, 3, or even 4 windows at once
Helps organize your workspace efficiently

While that’s great for productivity, it can be annoying if you prefer full-screen or floating windows. Luckily, you can turn it off easily.

Why You Might Want to Disable Split Screen

Even though Snap Assist is handy, there are several reasons users want to stop it:

Windows automatically resize when moved
Accidental split screens when dragging apps
Reduced focus — too many windows open at once
Gamers and designers need undisturbed full-screen mode
Multi-monitor setups cause misaligned snapping

If that sounds familiar, let’s fix it.

How to Stop Split Screen on Windows 11 (Main Method)

The easiest way to disable split screen is through Windows Settings.

🪟 Step-by-Step: Turn Off Snap Assist

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to System → Multitasking.
Under the Snap windows section, toggle off the switch.

💡 Tip: If you still want Snap enabled but with fewer features, click the arrow next to Snap windows to expand advanced options and uncheck specific ones.

Customize Snap Layouts Instead of Turning Off Completely

Maybe you don’t want to disable Snap entirely — just tweak how it behaves.

Here’s how you can customize the feature to your liking:

Go to Settings → System → Multitasking.
Expand the Snap windows section.
You’ll see multiple checkboxes:
- ✅ When I snap a window, show what I can snap next to it
- ✅ Show snap layouts when I hover over a window’s maximize button
- ✅ Show snap layouts when I drag a window to the top of my screen
- ✅ When I resize a snapped window, simultaneously resize any adjacent snapped window
Uncheck the behaviors you find annoying.

This gives you a fine-tuned balance — no unwanted snapping, but the option remains available when needed.

How to Stop Split Screen Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Sometimes, your windows split because of keyboard shortcuts being triggered accidentally.

Here are the default snap-related shortcuts:

Shortcut	Function
Windows + Left Arrow	Snap window to left half
Windows + Right Arrow	Snap window to right half
Windows + Up Arrow	Maximize window
Windows + Down Arrow	Minimize window

If you press these keys often (e.g., during gaming or typing), you might be accidentally activating snap layouts.

🧩 Quick Fix:

Avoid pressing Windows + Arrow keys together, or disable the Windows key temporarily when gaming (using Game Mode or third-party tools).

How to Stop Split Screen from the Registry (Advanced Users)

If you prefer a more technical approach — or want to enforce the change system-wide, you can disable Snap Assist from the Windows Registry Editor.

⚠️ Caution: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system instability. Proceed carefully.

Step-by-Step:

Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
In the right panel, find or create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named:

DockMoving
Set its value to:

0
(This disables window docking / snapping.)
Restart your PC for changes to take effect.

✅ Tip: To re-enable, change the value back to 1.

How to Stop Split Screen via Group Policy (Windows 11 Pro & Enterprise)

If you’re on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can disable Snap Assist using Group Policy Editor.

Steps:

Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
Navigate to:

User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Desktop
Double-click Turn off Aero Snap.
Select Enabled, then click Apply → OK.
Restart your computer.

Your windows will no longer automatically snap or split when dragged.

How to Temporarily Stop Split Screen (Without Turning It Off)

If you don’t want to change system settings, here are quick temporary fixes:

🧭 Option 1: Drag Windows Gently

Avoid dragging a window too close to the screen edge — Snap Assist only triggers near edges or corners.

🧭 Option 2: Use Full Screen Mode

Press F11 in apps like browsers or File Explorer to go full screen, preventing any split-screen snapping.

🧭 Option 3: Adjust Display Resolution or Scaling

Sometimes, split behavior feels aggressive on high DPI settings. Adjust scaling under Settings → System → Display → Scale & layout.

How to Stop Split Screen When Using Multiple Monitors

Multi-monitor setups can make Snap Assist confusing, as windows may jump between screens.

To manage this:

Go to Settings → System → Multitasking.
Expand Snap windows options.
Disable “When I snap a window, show what I can snap next to it.”
Also, disable “Show snap layouts when I drag a window to the top of my screen.”

💡 Extra Tip: Move your mouse slowly between monitors to avoid triggering snap zones at screen edges.

How to Stop Split Screen in Games or Full-Screen Apps

Games often misbehave if Snap triggers accidentally (especially in borderless window mode).

Here’s how to fix that:

Enable Game Mode → Go to Settings → Gaming → Game Mode, and toggle it On.
This automatically suppresses background features like snapping.
Disable Windows Key shortcuts (optional) using your gaming keyboard software or registry tweaks.
Use exclusive full-screen mode in games for best compatibility.

Alternative: Use PowerToys for Advanced Window Control

If you want more control over window snapping — instead of disabling it — try Microsoft PowerToys.

PowerToys FancyZones Features:

Customize your own snap zones
Disable automatic layout suggestions
Create advanced multitasking layouts

To install:

Visit the Microsoft Store or PowerToys GitHub page.
Install PowerToys.
Open the app → Go to FancyZones → Turn it Off to stop snapping.

This gives you even more flexibility than the default settings.

How to Re-Enable Split Screen Later

If you miss the feature and want it back:

Open Settings → System → Multitasking.
Toggle Snap windows back On.
Optionally, recheck all sub-options for full functionality.

You can always toggle it on and off depending on your workflow.

Troubleshooting: Split Screen Still Occurs After Disabling?

If the split screen behavior persists:

✅ Restart your PC after changing settings.
✅ Make sure third-party utilities (like PowerToys or DisplayFusion) aren’t controlling window layouts.
✅ Check Group Policy overrides (for Pro users).
✅ Run Windows Update — sometimes updates restore default multitasking settings.

Expert Tips for Managing Windows Efficiently (Even Without Snap)

Disabling split screen doesn’t mean losing productivity. Try these instead:

Task	Alternative Method
Arrange windows manually	Drag & resize using your mouse
Switch between apps	Use Alt + Tab
View two windows side-by-side	Use Windows + Tab → New Desktop
Organize workflow	Create multiple virtual desktops
Focus on one window	Enable Focus Assist (Settings → System → Focus)**

These features give you similar multitasking power — without forced splits.

Benefits of Turning Off Split Screen

Benefit	Description
Full control	Windows won’t auto-resize
Cleaner workspace	Avoid unwanted splits and clutter
Better gaming and design experience	No snapping interruptions
Simplified navigation	Ideal for single-task workflows
Custom flexibility	You decide how to position windows

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Windows Layout

The split screen (Snap Assist) feature in Windows 11 is great for multitaskers — but not for everyone.

If you prefer your windows exactly where you put them, it’s simple to stop split screen using the Settings app, Registry Editor, or Group Policy.

Here’s a quick recap:

Go to Settings → System → Multitasking → Turn off Snap windows
Use Registry (DockMoving=0) for deeper control
Adjust keyboard habits to avoid triggering snapping
For advanced setups, try PowerToys

Once disabled, your desktop will feel cleaner, calmer, and fully under your control again.

🔍 FAQs About Stopping Split Screen on Windows 11

1. How do I stop Windows from automatically splitting my screen?

Go to Settings → System → Multitasking, then turn off Snap windows.

2. Why does my screen split when I drag a window?

Because Snap Assist is active — it automatically resizes windows when they touch screen edges.

3. Can I disable Snap Assist for certain apps only?

No, Windows doesn’t allow app-specific control. It’s a system-wide feature.

4. How do I stop split screen when using multiple monitors?

Disable Snap Assist and uncheck “Show what I can snap next to it” under Multitasking settings.

5. Can I bring split screen back later?

Yes — just re-enable Snap windows from the Multitasking section in Settings.

📝 Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a gamer, a designer, or just someone who likes to keep things simple, stopping split screen on Windows 11 helps you stay focused and in control.

You can turn off Snap completely or customize it to match your workflow — either way, the choice is yours.