Multitasking on the web frequently requires comparing two web pages simultaneously—such as cross-referencing competitor pricing tables, drafting an email alongside research documentation, or watching a training webinar while taking notes in a web editor. Historically, users were forced to open two separate browser windows and manually arrange them side by side on their desktop, creating awkward window overlap and taskbar clutter. Microsoft Edge introduced a native Split Screen feature that embeds two independent, interactive web pages side by side inside a single browser tab and window frame.
What Is Split Screen in Microsoft Edge?
Split Screen is an integrated productivity tool in Microsoft Edge that divides an active browser window into two vertical browsing panes. Both panes maintain full browser functionality, including independent back/forward navigation, address bars, search capabilities, and cookie states.
Key advantages of Edge Split Screen include:
- Single Tab Management: Both linked pages are represented by a single tab in your tab bar, preventing tab proliferation.
- Resizable Divider Bar: A draggable vertical slider lets you adjust the width ratio between the two pages (e.g., 50/50, 70/30, or 30/70).
- Cross-Screen Link Routing: You can configure links clicked on the left screen to open dynamically inside the right screen, perfect for documentation browsing.
- Cross-Platform Availability: Works natively on Windows 10, Windows 11, and macOS without requiring third-party browser extensions.
Step-by-Step: Enabling and Launching Split Screen
To use Split Screen in Microsoft Edge:
- Launch Microsoft Edge on your PC or Mac.
- Navigate to the first webpage you wish to view.
- Locate the Split Screen icon (a rectangle divided vertically into two halves) on the top toolbar next to the address bar.
- If the icon is missing from your toolbar:
- Go to Settings > Appearance.
- Scroll down to the Select which buttons to show on the toolbar section.
- Toggle the Split screen button to On.
- Click the Split Screen icon (or press the global keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + 2 on Windows, Cmd + Shift + 2 on Mac).
- The current webpage shrinks to occupy the left half of the window, and the right half displays your frequently visited sites or a blank search bar.
- Click any suggested site in the right pane or enter a new URL to load the second page.
Mastering Link Navigation Between Split Panes
Edge includes intelligent link routing between the two split halves:
- Look at the top-right corner of the active split pane for the More options (…) button.
- Click the button and select your preferred navigation mode:
- Open link in current tab: Clicking any hyperlink opens the target page within that same half.
- Open link from left to right tab: Clicking a link on the left pane (e.g., a search results page or index list) automatically opens the destination content inside the right pane, leaving your index page completely undisturbed.
Managing, Swapping, and Closing Split Screens
Managing the dual-pane workspace is intuitive:
- Resize the View: Hover your mouse over the vertical divider line separating the two pages. When the cursor turns into a double-ended arrow, click and drag left or right to rebalance screen space.
- Switch Active Focus: A subtle blue border indicates which pane is currently receiving keyboard input. Click anywhere inside a pane to switch active focus.
- Disconnect into Separate Tabs: Click the … (More options) menu in the upper corner of either pane and select Open page in new tab to separate the paired screens into standard individual tabs.
- Close One Pane: Click the X (Close) button on either pane’s header bar. The remaining page expands to fill the entire browser window.
Microsoft Edge Split Screen vs Desktop Window Snapping
| Feature | Edge Native Split Screen | Windows Snap (Two Windows) |
|---|---|---|
| Window Overhead | Single application window | Two independent OS windows |
| Taskbar Footprint | Single taskbar icon | Multiple taskbar previews |
| Tab Bar Cleanliness | One unified dual tab | Two separate tab strips |
| Link Redirection | Native cross-pane routing | Manual URL drag and drop only |
| Portability on Laptops | Preserves layout when moving screens | Snapping breaks on display disconnect |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I split the screen horizontally instead of vertically?
Currently, Microsoft Edge Split Screen natively divides the browser vertically (side by side), which is ideal for 16:9 and ultrawide widescreen monitors. Horizontal (top-and-bottom) splitting is not currently supported.
Do browser extensions work within both split panes?
Yes. Any installed Edge extensions (such as password autofills, ad blockers, or translators) operate seamlessly across both web panes simultaneously.
Can I save a split screen pairing into a Tab Group?
Yes. A split screen pair is treated by Edge as a single composite tab. You can add the dual-pane tab to any Tab Group, save it to your bookmarks bar, or restore it upon launching the browser.