Friday tech tip: run apps side-by-side in Windows 8

Friday tech tip: run apps side-by-side in Windows 8

Microsoft's Windows 8 is very different to previous versions. Designed to work both on tablet touch screens and standard computers, it takes a bit of getting used to.

One of the major differences is that many apps are designed to be run full-screen, so you can't see any other programs at the same time. This is great for helping you focus, but rubbish if you need to refer to another app too.

Show apps side-by-side

For this week's Friday tech tip, we explain how to show two apps side-by-side in Windows 8. It's really straightforward:

1. Open the first app you want to use.
2. With the app on your screen, click and hold at the top, then drag down.
3. The app should shrink in size, allowing you to drag it around.
4. Keep holding the mouse button and drag the app to the left or right of the screen.
5. Release the mouse button and the app will snap to the side you dragged it to.
6. Now go back to your start screen by clicking in the bottom left corner.
7. Open the second app you want to use.
8. It will appear side-by-side with the first app, so you can see both at once.

To change how much of the screen each app takes up, click and drag the bar that sits in between the two apps.

This video from website WinBeta shows the snap feature in action:

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