Multitask with windows & tabs

You can finish tasks faster by reorganizing and moving your windows and tabs.

Press and hold Alt, then tap Tab until you get to the window you want to open.

You can now multitask more effectively when you float a window. When you float a window, you keep that window open and can freely move it around.

1. On the window that you want to float, hover over Maximize 👁 Image
   .
2. In the menu that pops up, select Float 👁 Image
   .
3. Reposition and resize the window as applicable.

Tip: A floated window stays in the background when you open or select other windows or apps. You need to move the floating window around to get a full view of windows or apps in the background.

To return a floating window to its previous position and size:

1. On the window that you want to close, hover over Unfloat 👁 Image
   .
2. In the menu that pops up, select Float 👁 Image
   .

Tip: When you close a floating window, it doesn’t automatically maximize the window. Instead, it returns to its size and position before it was floated.

There are multiple ways to split or partial screen:

Tips:

• A split or partial screened window stays in the background when you open or select other windows or apps. To display 2 windows next to one another, select Split or Partial windows for both windows.
• You can also adjust the size of a split or partial window. Move your cursor to the edge of the window. With the arrow cursor that displays, expand or contract the edge of the screen as desired.
• You can use keyboard shortcuts to snap windows:
  • Horizontal window layout:
    • Snap to left: Alt + [
    • Snap to right: Alt + ]
  • Vertical window layout:
    • Snap to top: Alt + [
    • Snap to bottom: Alt + ]
• When you use keyboard shortcuts Alt + ] or Alt + [ to snap windows, they won't trigger the faster split screen setup.
• You can only pair windows that are on the same desk and display.
• If another fully visible window is snapped to the opposite side of the window you’re trying to snap, the suggestion list won't appear.

1. On your Chromebook, select the time.
2. Select Settings 👁 Image
   👁 and then
   System preferences.
   • In the search settings, enter "Split screen."
3. Under “Window and desks,” turn off Show window suggestions when starting split-screen.

To return a split or partial window to its previous position and size:

• On the window that you want to restore, select Maximize 👁 Image
  .

1. In the overview window, select the window you want to move.
2. Drag the window to the monitor you want to view it in.

• View full screen: At the top of your keyboard, press Full screen 👁 Full screen hides tabs and launchers.
  (or F4).
• Maximize window: At the top right, select Maximize 👁 Image
  .
• Minimize window: At the top right, select Minimize 👁 Image
  .

• Open a new window: Press Ctrl + n
• Open a new tab: Press Ctrl + t
• Close window or tab: At the top right, select Close 👁 Image
  
• Reopen a window or tab you closed: Press Ctrl + Shift + t

You can put related tabs together, or move a tab into or out of a window. Also, if there’s a webpage you always want open, like your email, you can make that tab easy to find by pinning it.

• Reorder tabs within the same window: Drag the tab to different position along the top of the browser window.
• Move a tab into a new window: Select and drag the tab away from the window. You can make the tab into its own window, or drag it into another window.
• Pin a tab in place: Right-click the tab and select Pin tab. A pinned tab will appear on the left side of your browser window, and will be smaller.

Related articles

• Connect to a monitor
• Move windows between signed-in accounts
• Set up and manage multiple desktops with Virtual Desks