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Lay Out Your Screen With PowerToys FancyZones

Two windows side by side is the default. FancyZones gives you six layouts, per-monitor templates and keyboard snapping that survives a reboot.

by@guidox updated:10/31/26 time:15 min level:Beginner tested on:Windows 11 24H2 works on:Windows 10, Windows 11 tools:PowerToys
TL;DR

Enable **FancyZones**, design a **layout per monitor**, then snap with **Shift + drag** or **Win + arrow**. The layout editor is where the work happens; the snapping is the easy part.

Before you start

Requirements

  • PowerToys installed
  • One or more monitors
  • Five minutes
Step by step

Instructions

01

Turn the module on

Open PowerToys settings, select FancyZones and enable it. The editor opens a preview of your current monitor arrangement with an empty canvas.

PowerToys > FancyZones > Enable
02

Build a layout for the real work

Start from a template and delete what you do not use. A coding layout wants one wide column and one narrow; a writing layout wants a single tall panel and a reference strip.

tipFewer than five zones per monitor. More zones than you have windows means you spend the day aiming.
03

Assign a layout per monitor

Each monitor keeps its own layout, which matters when one screen is vertical. Open the editor from the monitor you want to change and save the layout for that display only.

04

Learn the two snapping gestures

Hold **Shift** while dragging a window to reveal the zones, or press **Win + arrow** to snap into the nearest zone. Both work after a restart, unlike hand-placed windows.

Shift + drag
Win + Left / Right
05

Fix the overlap rules

Decide whether zones accept multiple windows and whether the mouse must hold a modifier. The defaults surprise people: a window dropped in the middle can take the largest zone instead of the one under the cursor.

FancyZones > Zone behaviour
⚠ warningTurn on distance activation if you want to snap by hovering near the edge instead of dragging with a modifier.
06

Keep a backup of the configuration

PowerToys stores the layout in a JSON file. Copy it into your notes or a backup folder so a reinstall does not cost you the afternoon you spent on the zones.

%LOCALAPPDATA%\icrosoft\owerToys\ancyZones
Troubleshooting

Common issues

Shift + drag does nothing

Another tool grabbed the modifier, or the module is off. Check the PowerToys settings and any window manager from the monitor vendor.

Windows snap into the wrong zone

The zone closest to the cursor wins. Enable the option that prefers the zone under the pointer.

Layouts reset after a driver update

The monitor identifiers changed. Reassign the layout per monitor and save it again.

Zones appear on the wrong screen

The layout was saved for the other display. Open the editor while the cursor is on the intended monitor.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Does this replace the Windows snap layouts?

It extends them. Win + arrow still works and now targets your zones.

Does it work in games?

In windowed and borderless modes yes. Exclusive fullscreen ignores window management entirely.

How to undo this

Disable the FancyZones module in PowerToys. Windows snapping returns to its default behaviour without a reboot.

Changelog · 1 entry
  1. 2026-10-31
    First version
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