Windows 8 Guide: Metro Snap

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Snapping is one of my favorite features that I must show off to anyone asking what’s new in Windows 7. While Microsoft keeps all snapping features in Windows 8 Desktop, they also added this feature to its Metro UI as well. And here is a quick guide on how to use them.

Screenshot 5 thumb - Windows 8 Guide: Metro Snap

Limitation

The Metro Snap doesn’t work work on a screen running lower resolution. The minimum resolution to run Metro Snap is 1366 x 768, which meets most of the LCD monitors in the market right now but not so with those 1280 ones, though there is a registry hack that you can use to by pass it.

It also seems that it only allow one app snapped at a time. If you snap the second app, the first snapped app automatically takes over the rest of the screen like other non-snap apps.

Snap with Mouse

Move your cursor to the top edge of the app you would like to snap, and drag it to the side boards, either left or right.

Snap in Switch List

Move your cursor to the left top corner and slide down to bring out the Switch List, and right click on the app you would like to snap. Then pick either Snap left or Snap right to snap the app.

Screenshot 5 thumb1 - Windows 8 Guide: Metro Snap

Snap with Keyboard

That’s simple, press Win+. to snap the current app to toggle through the position, Left, Right, and Full. That’s Windows Key and dot on your keyboard.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Do the snaps feel too small to you? Why not a snap the size of 1/3rd the screen? or make the size adjustable. Examples… evernote has example screen divided into 1/3rd left and 2/3rds right…or WordPress 2 column theme is a good example of 2/3rds left and 13rd right. Am I wrong?

  2. I am using win8 in portrait mode on a 1080p monitor. When I try to move to one side, the metro app will not snap, it just pops back up to full screen when I let go. Any suggestions?

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