Now and again, a software comes alongside that adjustments how you’re employed, and makes you would like that you just’d began utilizing it sooner. For me, that software is FancyZoneswhich is technically a characteristic of Microsoft’s broader PowerToys app for Home windows fans.
FancyZones helps you to drag and drop home windows into customizable split-screen views so you may multitask extra successfully. Simply maintain Shift whereas dragging a window, and you’ll immediately snap it to a pre-defined portion of the display.
Whereas FancyZones has been round since 2019, when Microsoft first revived the PowerToys ideaI initially dismissed it as being too burdensome to arrange. Solely in current weeks have I spotted how highly effective FancyZones could be when you get to understand it.
Here is a screenshot of my go-to FancyZones format, which I discuss with as “widget mode”:
Jared Newman / Foundry
On this format, most of my display is occupied by the primary app I am utilizing—normally Typora for writing notice for detailed notes, or Vivaldi for internet searching—however I reserve a slim column for a pair of miniature apps. On prime is hour glassmy favourite easy timer app, and on the backside is a wonderful ambient noise app referred to as atmosphere.
This setup has been a boon for productiveness. Whereas I write, I can launch a spotlight timer that stays in view, and I and may rapidly change between background sounds or flip them off as wanted. Even the improved Snap operate in Home windows 11 would require loads of fiddling to attain this format. FancyZones, nonetheless, lets me prepare all three home windows in about three seconds.
Jared Newman / Foundry
If this sounds intriguing, learn on for how one can make FanzyZones give you the results you want.
The right way to arrange FancyZones
If you have not already, set up PowerToys from the Microsoft Retailer (or alternatively from GitHub). It is out there for each Home windows 10 and Home windows 11.
Subsequent, launch the PowerToys Settings menu—you may discover it by double-clicking the app’s icon within the system tray part of your taskbar—and head to the FancyZones tab. Ensure that “Allow FancyZones” is toggled on.
Jared Newman / Foundry
To snap an app into one of many pre-defined zones, maintain Shift whereas dragging a window. Just a few translucent panels ought to seem on the display whilst you drag, and you’ll snap the window by dropping it over any panel. So you may maintain Ctrl+Shift whereas dragging to stretch the window throughout a number of zones.
When you’re on this settings menu, I counsel tweaking a couple of settings:
- Test the field for “Restore the unique dimension of home windows when unsnapping.” That approach you do not have to waste time resizing apps after transferring them out of snap view. (Go away this unchecked if you find yourself utilizing Canvas layouts, which I will clarify shortly)
- activate”Override Home windows Snap” and set “Transfer home windows primarily based on” to “relative place.” This allows you to use Win+Arrow keys to maneuver home windows between zones.
- For those who’re utilizing a mouse, undoubtedly verify off”Use a non-primary mouse button to toggle zone activation,” which helps you to snap home windows by holding the proper mouse button as a substitute of Shift.
Customizing fancy zones
Now comes the enjoyable half. As an alternative of sticking with FancyZones’ default narrow-wide-narrow format, you may select from extra presets or create your individual.
From the FancyZones settings menu, click on on “Launch Structure Editor,” and you may see a wide range of templates. You’ll be able to solely have one lively format at a time, so click on on the one you need to assign to the Shift key.
Jared Newman / Foundry
To create a brand new template, click on the “+Create new format” button within the bottom-right nook. Give your format a reputation, then select between Grid (which arranges home windows in a tile view) or Canvas (which helps you to snap free-floating home windows into customized sizes).
Jared Newman / Foundry
The Grid format display is a bit complicated to navigate, so here is what you have to know:
- Click on on any panel to separate it into two smaller panels.
- Maintain Shift whereas clicking to modify between vertical or horizontal splits.
- Drag the bar between any two panels to resize them.
- To recombine break up panels, drag your cursor between them as if you happen to had been drawing a line, then choose “Merge Zones.”
- The instruction field cannot be dismissed throughout this course of, however you may transfer it round. Hit “Save & Apply” while you’re completed.
Jared Newman / Foundry
As soon as you’ve got arrange your grid, click on the pencil icon to switch it additional. I counsel decreasing the quantity of house between zones, or higher but, disabling the “house between zones” toggle fully to keep away from wasting your actual property. You can even click on the blue pencil icon on this menu to switch the format you’ve got created.
Fortunately, the Canvas setup is less complicated:
- Drag the center of a window to maneuver it.
- Drag the corners to resize it.
- Hit the + button to create a brand new window.
Jared Newman / Foundry
This may be helpful if you wish to rapidly resize a free-floating window to a preset dimension. You’ll be able to even have a number of window dimension presets as a part of the identical format.
Further layouts and a number of displays
Though FancyZones solely lets you will have one lively format at a time, you should use keyboard shortcuts to juggle a number of layouts.
To set this up, head again to the FancyZones settings menu and click on on “Launch Structure Editor.” Hit the pencil icon above your favourite format, then click on the “Structure shortcut” drop-down menu. I counsel “1.”
Jared Newman / Foundry
Subsequent, click on the pencil icon in your secondary format, and within the “Structure shortcut” menu, select a special quantity, akin to “2.” Repeat this course of for nonetheless many layouts you need to use, assigning a special quantity to every.
Now, while you maintain Shift to activate FancyZones, you may press “1” to modify to your favourite format, press “2” to modify to your secondary format, and so forth. You do not have to carry the quantity key your complete time; simply urgent it should trigger the lively format to modify.
One last item: If in case you have a number of displays, every one can have its personal format. Simply click on your monitor on the prime of the Structure Editor, then select the format you need to assign.
Use your creativeness
FancyZones solely clicked for me once I began utilizing it to depart miniature apps up on the display. Along with Hourglass and Ambie, I will additionally often use the house for Notepad, Calculator, or Plexamp.
However you may as well use FancyZones in all types of different methods. You may, as an example, give your self a dashboard for a number of messaging apps, or use it as a fast resize software for floating home windows. With a little bit experimentation, FancyZones might change the way in which you’re employed as effectively.
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