[ميزة خاصة]“Difficulty using multiple monitors” is a thing of the past – Windows 11 can be very convenient! Features Summary – Watch PC

A multi-monitor environment allows you to expand your desktop and increase productivity. However, until the Windows 10 era, this wasn't always a feature. There were several situations where I found it difficult to use, such as when the mouse cursor did not move smoothly between monitors of different resolutions, and when the monitor was connected or disconnected, the window position was instantly repositioned.

Some people may have been able to implement their own ideas, such as matching the resolution of all monitors and installing third-party tools to help with multi-monitor use. However, now that Windows 11 has been released, these annoyances have almost been resolved. A comfortable multi-screen environment can be created using only standard operating system functions.

So, this time I would like to introduce some improvements in Windows 11 in multi-screen environment and some technologies that make your multi-screen life more convenient and comfortable. Please note that the explanation here is based on Windows 11 23H2 version.

What changed with Windows 11?

With the transition from Windows 10 to 11, multi-monitor behavior has changed (or could be changed) in some areas. One thing that seems to have a significant impact on usability is that the mouse cursor can now be moved smoothly even if the resolution of each screen is different.

Try arranging monitors with different vertical resolutions side by side.

Even Windows 10, for example, when using screens with different vertical resolutions side by side, when you try to move the mouse cursor from a high-resolution screen to a low-resolution screen, the mouse cursor tends to get stuck between the screens and can't move. In fact, there are “steps” on the desktop, so this can't be helped.

If the screen resolution is different, “stepping” may occur, which may cause the mouse pointer to become stuck and difficult to move.

However, in Windows 11, the “Multiple displays” section in the “Display” settings has been expanded and an item called “Easily move the cursor between displays” has been added. Turn this on to make it easier to move the mouse pointer to the desktop on a low-resolution screen regardless of where it is vertically on a high-resolution screen.

Turn on the “Move cursor easily between displays” added to the “Display” settings.

Conversely, when you move the cursor from a low-resolution screen to a high-resolution screen, the cursor's coordinates on the low-resolution screen are moved somewhat, so it may look a little weird if you move between screens frequently. However, it is a welcome improvement to be able to move seamlessly between screens without having to learn the 'steps'.

Move windows smoothly between screens

Another point is that it now “remembers the window position based on the screen connection.” This is also a setting item that has been added to the Multi-Display section. It remembers the position of each window according to the screen connection status, such as single screen, dual screen, or three or more screen connections, and automatically restores the position when the connection changes.

“Remember window position based on screen connection” in “Display” settings.

This will be a particularly useful feature for laptop users. This is because there are many people who use a single monitor on their laptop when going out, but connect external monitors to create a multi-screen environment in the office or at home.

When using the laptop only, the optimal window position will be restored, and when an external monitor is connected, the optimal window position will be restored immediately. There is no need to manually rearrange the windows every time you connect or disconnect the monitor.

Single screen environment

If you connect an external monitor to it, it will switch to the specific layout in that environment.

Standard operating system features that you want to use with multiple monitors

Some of the standard Windows 11 features around the desktop can make a multi-monitor environment more comfortable depending on how you use them. Let's choose three of them.

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The “Snap” function allows you to quickly switch to the desired design

The Window Capture feature introduced in Windows 10 has been continuously improved since Windows 11, and its ease of use has changed.

“Snap” function setting screen.

There are currently two main ways to use the snapping function. One way is to use the maximize button in the title bar of the application window. Snap layout suggestions will now appear when you hover your mouse over the maximize button (or press Win+Z when the window is active). All you have to do is click on the area where you want to place the window.

Snap layout suggestions appear when you hover your mouse over the maximize window button.

The other way is to move the window title bar near the top of the desktop while dragging it. Next, snap layout filters will appear, so you can place them simply by dropping them into any area. The previous method of snapping from the zoom button may not be available if the app has its own dedicated title bar, but this method is compatible with most apps.

Snap layout suggestions appear when you move a window closer to the top of the desktop

In a sense, the snapping function that allows you to split your desktop into individual windows will help you make efficient use of the larger desktop that becomes available with multiple monitors.

Virtual Desktop lets you switch your entire work environment at once

Windows 11 also comes with virtual desktop functionality as standard. This feature allows you to keep multiple virtual desktops in addition to the one you're currently viewing, and switch to your preferred desktop at any time.

You can create and switch virtual desktops using the “Win+Tab” keys.

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To create a virtual desktop, simply press the “Win ​​+ Tab” keys and click on “New Desktop” that appears at the bottom of the screen. To switch, simply press the “Win+Tab” keys and click on the (virtual) desktop you want to use.

The position and size of placed windows will be remembered for each virtual desktop. Therefore, it is convenient to start an office application on the desktop you usually use, and a web browser or photo editing program on the virtual desktop, and switch between them depending on the purpose.

You can also see in the preview that different windows are arranged for each virtual desktop.

The concept of virtual desktops has been around for a long time, and was originally intended to be used more efficiently by physically extending the desktop when using a low-resolution monitor. However, now that it is possible to install large amounts of memory at relatively low cost, it is now possible to keep multiple applications running at all times and switch between them as necessary to take multitasking to its limits. This might be good.

Additionally, in a multi-monitor environment, all monitor displays will be treated as “one set of virtual desktops” (one monitor can be used as a regular desktop and another monitor can be used as a virtual desktop). It's not possible). If you create multiple screen-based work environments using Multi Monitors x Virtual Desktops, you can dramatically increase productivity.

In a multi-monitor environment, the task view is displayed for each screen. Selecting one will switch all screens at once.

Increase your work efficiency with multiple screens!

In this way, Windows 11 adds and improves standard operating system functions, making multi-monitor operation easier than ever. By using hotkeys, your work efficiency will be further improved. We hope this content will be useful not only to those who already have a multi-monitor environment, but also to those who are considering adding dual or triple monitors in the future.