Unlocking the Full Potential of Snapping on Ultrawide Displays

When working with an ultrawide display, snapping apps is a convenient feature that allows you to arrange windows in a way that makes the most of the available screen real estate. However, the default options for snapping on Windows and macOS can sometimes be too limited to take full advantage of this feature.

What is Snapping?

Snapping is a feature that allows you to quickly rearrange windows by clicking and dragging them to one of the four possible positions: left, right, top, or bottom. This feature is particularly useful on ultrawide displays, which offer more screen real estate than traditional monitors.

The Problem with Default Options

While snapping can be a powerful tool for arranging windows, the default options on Windows and macOS can sometimes limit its effectiveness. For example:

• Limited edge placement: On both Windows and macOS, the default snapping behavior only allows you to place edges along the left, right, top, or bottom of the screen. This means that if you want to snap two windows together at a 90-degree angle, you'll need to use third-party software or tweak the default settings.
• No support for diagonal snapping: Another limitation is that neither Windows nor macOS supports diagonal snapping out of the box. If you need to snap two windows together at an angle other than 0° or 90°, you'll need to use a workaround.

Workarounds and Third-Party Software

While there isn't a single solution that completely fixes these limitations, there are some workarounds and third-party software options available:

• Third-party snapping tools: There are several third-party software options available that can extend the snapping functionality on Windows and macOS. For example, Snap Client for Windows and Snippets for macOS allow you to snap windows at any angle.
• Custom shortcuts: You can also create custom shortcuts using keyboard shortcuts or mouse gestures to achieve the desired snapping behavior.

Configuring Snapping on Windows

If you're a Windows user, here's how you can configure snapping to work better with your ultrawide display:

Enabling Custom Snap Behavior

1. Press Win + Left/Right Arrow (or Win + Up/Down Arrow) to snap the current window to the left or right edge of the screen.
2. Click and drag the window's edge to place it along the desired edge.

Creating a Custom Snapping Shortcut

1. Press Win + Alt + Left/Right Arrow (or Win + Alt + Up/Down Arrow) to snap the current window to the left or right edge of the screen.
2. Customize this shortcut using the Keyboard settings in the Settings app.

Configuring Snapping on macOS

If you're a macOS user, here's how you can configure snapping to work better with your ultrawide display:

Enabling Custom Snap Behavior

1. Press Cmd + Left/Right Arrow (or Cmd + Up/Down Arrow) to snap the current window to the left or right edge of the screen.
2. Click and drag the window's edge to place it along the desired edge.

Creating a Custom Snapping Shortcut

1. Press Cmd + Shift + Left/Right Arrow (or Cmd + Shift + Up/Down Arrow) to snap the current window to the left or right edge of the screen.
2. Customize this shortcut using the Keyboard settings in System Preferences.

Conclusion

Snapping is a powerful feature that can help you make the most of your ultrawide display, but the default options on Windows and macOS can sometimes limit its effectiveness. By exploring workarounds and third-party software options, you can unlock the full potential of snapping on your device. Whether you're a seasoned power user or just starting to explore the features of your ultrawide display, this guide has provided you with the information you need to take your workflow to the next level.

Best Practices for Using Snapping

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when using snapping:

• Plan ahead: Before opening multiple windows, think about how you'll arrange them on your screen.
• Use keyboard shortcuts: Keyboard shortcuts can save you time and increase productivity when working with snapping windows.
• Experiment and adapt: Don't be afraid to experiment with different snapping configurations until you find one that works best for you.

By following these tips and exploring the various options available, you'll be able to unlock the full potential of snapping on your ultrawide display and work more efficiently than ever before.