Win 8.1 split screen with 2560x1440? - Windows 8

[joeythebull]

I'm using win 8.1 with a 2560 x1440 resolution, but I can't seem to get split screen to work. I've tried a few tutorials online, but without success.

I can easily split the screen by left mouse clicking the top of the screen and dragging down, but I can't figure out how to get anything else in the 2nd window that is created. The first window works normally with task bar showing on the bottom.

I feel I must be missing something obvious. Advice appreciated. Thanks!

[bassfisher6522]

Are you talking about the Start screen (metro) or the desktop.....

[bassfisher6522]

Have a look at this....

Arrange windows side by side on the desktop using Snap

[joeythebull]

Are you talking about the Start screen (metro) or the desktop.....

Thanks for the reply.

I use desktop. Is split screen only available in Metro?

Also, regarding your second post, that's good for using two windows in one screen but I was more interested in a true split screen.

[joeythebull]

Are you talking about the Start screen (metro) or the desktop.....

(Sorry if this is a double post, but I didn't see my first response go through. )

Thanks for your reply.

I'm using desktop, not metro. Is that the problem? Strange, as I can certainly create the second splitscreen window but I just can't use it.

Also, I tried the link on your other post. That works, but only to fit two windows. I was hoping to actually use the split screen.

Thanks.

[Drew]

Joey,

I'm a bit unsure to what you refer but...

IF, you are wanting to make two Windows Explorer windows share the screen, this is how:

Open one, then, another. Put your cursor in/on one & hit the Left Arrow key; put your cursor in/on the other & hit the Right Arrow key (or vise versa). The 2 windows will, now, share the screen 50/50.

IF, this is not answering what you are talking about, please further explain & or maybe provide a screen shot. Thanks.

Cheers,
Drew
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[bassfisher6522]

Also, regarding your second post, that's good for using two windows in one screen but I was more interested in a true split screen.

Windows natively can only snap two windows as shown in that link in post # 3. To do what I think you want to do you would need some 3rd party software to accomplish that. I have Display Fusion and it will allow you to set up custom layouts for a single or multi-monitor setup.

Five Best Tools for Managing Your Multi-Monitor Setup

[joeythebull]

I tried your last suggestion, using the arrow keys (with windows key) but it was the same result as the first link you gave. Basically just windows evenly sharing one screen. It's not what I am calling a "true" split screen. For example, on a blank desktop screen, move your mouse arrow to the top of your display (not a corner). Click Left and HOLD, then drag down. This should create a split screen. I believe this should work unless your Display Fusion interferes.

Here's a tutorial but it's using metro and I can't seem to get it to work for my desktop mode. Notice the black vertical bar in the center of the screen.

Well, I guess I can't post links, but if you google on "how to use split screen mode in windows 8.1" and click the first link it will take you to the link I intended.

[bassfisher6522]

Yes...the black line is what shows on the start screen (aka metro) in desktop mode...you can only snap 2 open windows at a time. Like I said if you want more than 2 in desktop mode, you'll need some sort of 3rd party software to do that, and you'll need to Google for your specific needs. Natively in windows start screen (aka metro), to have more than 2 split screens, your minimum resolutions requirement is 1920x1080. Less than that resolution, you will only be able to have just the 2 apps in split screen. See here.

I use display fusion for my multi-monitor setup (3 monitors - at the time I didn't have a GPU that could do that)....this allows me to have 2 taskbars on both monitors. At the time it was the only 3rd party software that was capable of doing that. Now I use AMD's Eyefinity that's built into the Software for the GPU.

[Drew]

OK, Joey, what you are discussing is a bit clearer, now. What I described to/for you is SNAP. What you are talking about is having Store APPs & or the Desktop sharing the screen. This is not a matter of "Metro" vs Desktop. It is being on Desktop & then opening an APP & having both on the screen simultaneously. Or having 2 APPs share the screen. Prior to 8.1 this could accommodate only 2 items. Since 8.1 there is, now, the ability to handle, maneuver or manipulate 3. They can be positioned Left, Right & Center of or with each other and made to be of varying, individual sizes.

Although, the ability to manage 2 or 3 does depend on resolution; if the resolution is not high enough, still, only 2 is possible.

The method is as follows:

A person is on Desktop
2, 3 or 4 APPs are opened
At the Switcher Bar, Top Left Corner & down, these APPs can be controlled
Upon Rt Clk on any of them the menu offers Insert Right, Insert Left & Insert Center. Also, Replace this or that.
IF, the resolution is not high enough, Insert Center will not be offered. Obviously, with your resolution, all 3 options will be available.

This ^ is what you are asking about & how to make it happen or how to use it. And, it is done from or whilst initially on Desktop not from the Start screen.

Cheers,
Drew
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