Killer Shortcuts: Dock Windows Side By Side

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Have you ever needed to compare the content of 2 Windows and just used the Alt + Tab  shortcut in Windows to constantly swap to and fro? Or perhaps, you had to manually use your mouse to drag the corners of the 1st window to fit nicely on the left and then drag the other window to fit on the right. Thankfully, there’s a power shortcut key in Windows 7 and later versions that lets you dock Windows side by side within seconds: Windows Key + Left / Right Arrows

How-To:

Simply, select one window and  press Windows Key + Left Arrow  to dock the window to the left. And for the 2nd window, just press Windows Key  + Right Arrow. And abacadabra, you get windows perfectly docked side by side!

So below, you see Windows all over the place  and want it docked nicely.

Before

 

Assuming I want my web browser on the left, so I select it and press Windows Key + Left Button. And for my Word processor window, I want it on my right, so I just press Windows Key + Right Arrow. And there you have it, beautifully docked windows side by side. You can read content on your web browser while writing notes down in your Word file. You can use this powerful feature to compare pdf files, excel files or even surf the web while keeping a video window open at the side too.

 

After

This current shortcut only works for Windows. For Mac users, there’s no such power shortcut in Mac OS, but because I love this feature so much. I’ve managed to find an equivalent app that simulates the shortcut key feature for Mac OS. It’s  called ShiftIt. Just download and install it. I personally use it and it works perfectly.

If you’re curious to also explore the power of the Windows key, here are some other power shortcuts that I use all the time.

  • Win Key + Up Arrow = Maximize Window
  • Win Key + Down Arrow = Minimize Window
  • Win Key  + M = Show Desktop