How to Set Up the Perfect Dual Monitor on Windows with FancyZones

If you regularly use a multi-monitor setup, FancyZones can be a game changer. This Windows PowerToys utility allows you to completely customize your monitor layout. This guide explores different FancyZones configurations designed to improve dual-monitor window management and increase productivity.

 

Install PowerToys

To access FancyZones, you'll first need to download PowerToys. You can get it from the Microsoft Store or the official GitHub release page .

Install PowerToys on your Windows PC. Once the utility launches automatically, select FancyZones from the left menu to see an overview of the instructions.

 

Remember that you can activate FancyZones by pressing Win + Shift + ` , which will take you directly into Editor mode .

Extend your screen

To get the most out of FancyZones with a dual monitor setup, make sure you extend your displays first. This tool allows you to configure separate layouts for each monitor.

On your PC, go to Settings -> Display . Click the Duplicate these displays button and select the Extend these displays option instead.

 

Confirm the changes in the pop-up window by clicking Keep the Changes . Your new dual monitor setup will take over and each monitor will be ready to support its own layout.

Choose your preferred layout for each screen

FancyZones works by resizing windows into pre-set grid layouts. To customize your setup, open the FancyZones Editor, with all your connected displays listed at the top.

Select one of the screens at the top and view the Templates section with available layouts. Start by choosing a layout that works for you.

Note : You will need to manually select a layout for each screen.

If you feel these layouts could use improvement, you can easily edit them by tapping the pencil icon.

Increase the number of zones and add distance between them or increase the highlight distance.

 

Set up dual monitor layouts with FancyZones

This article will configure a dual monitor setup optimized for everyday writing activities. The second screen (the larger one in this case) will handle writing tasks, while the main screen will keep other handy utilities within reach.

Open all the applications and browser pages you need for your session before opening the FancyZones Editor. Switch to the second screen and select the Columns template . For this purpose, 3 separate zones are enough, but if you need more, you can always add more at will.

Now, to start snapping applications to the appropriate slots, click on the application or program window to bring it to the front, then press the Shift key . Drag the window by its title bar to the appropriate slot and it will automatically snap into place.

Repeat this for all regions.

This example includes:

1. Zone 1: Articles in the browser relevant to the study
2. Area 2: Word document where the data needed for the article is being collected
3. Zone 3: YouTube videos to extract additional information

Create custom layouts in FancyZones

Now that you have a layout for the larger screen, you need to create a custom layout for the smaller screen. In the FancyZones Editor, switch to the main screen. Click the Create new layout button .

 

Name your new layout and choose whether you want to create a grid or canvas (for overlapping areas), then press Create . For example, we'll choose the first option.

Start defining your layout on the next screen. By default, it starts with three columns. You can start modifying it from here. When you hover over a region, a blue bar will appear. Click to split the region into two. If you need to split vertically, just hold down the Shift key .

For example, you don't need three evenly divided zones. Instead, you need one large zone and two smaller zones on the right that are horizontally divided. To do this, tap and hold the first zone, then click the second zone. Click the Merge Zones button  to merge the two zones into one.

Other possible actions include:

1. Drag the corners to resize each area.
2. Drag the middle of the window to move and place it elsewhere
3. Use the + button to create a new window

Once you're done arranging your layout, hit Save in the small window (which also contains some instructions) to save your custom layout.

Once your custom layout is ready, add your apps:

1. Zone 1: WhatsApp to stay in touch with project team members
2. Zone 2: Pomodoro timer to time work sessions
3. Zone 3: Sticky notes with tasks for the day

Some apps, like Spotify and Calculator, won't fit into smaller areas on a small screen. I was going to put Spotify or the Calculator app in area 3, but ultimately decided against it because they don't scale well.

How to easily switch between layouts in FancyZones

Once you create multiple custom layouts, you can easily switch from one layout to another as you move between tasks throughout the day.

In the FancyZones Editor, find the custom layout you use often and click the pencil button.

Click on the Layout shortcuts bar and select a number. Hit Save at the bottom. Apply this layout by pressing the Win + Ctrl + Alt + Number shortcut .

 

Note : Make sure Enable quick layout switch is enabled in FancyZones Settings via PowerToys.

Adjust FancyZones settings

Open PowerToys Settings from the system tray. Go to Windowing & Layout -> FancyZones to see the Settings area .

Check the Zone behavior section to manage how zones behave when using FancyZones. For example, you can enable the Allow zones to span across monitors option .

Manage window management on dual monitors in the Window behavior section . For example, you can instruct FancyZones to restore the original size of windows when undocked. Review all of these options to see which ones might be useful.

You can also set custom keyboard shortcuts to switch between windows in the current area.

At the end, you can set up apps that you don't want to include in FancyZones for whatever reason.

Additional tips to increase productivity

Here are some tips to help you create window management and increase productivity through FancyZones on a dual monitor setup:

1. Use different layouts for each task, such as coding, writing, video editing, financial analysis, online meetings, general multitasking, etc.
2. Use larger central regions for most important tasks and smaller peripheral regions for secondary or background tasks.
3. Learn how to use FancyZones keyboard shortcuts because they can dramatically speed up your workflow. (Check out the relevant shortcuts above.)
4. Make sure you separate the work area from the utility area to minimize context switching and distraction.
5. For multitasking, such as when writing a paper and researching a topic, try the Columns layout to split the window vertically for quick switching between references, charts, or media content.
6. Save multiple custom layouts that fit your overall workflow (work, gaming, media, etc.).

Ultimately, everyone's ideal FancyZones window management on dual monitors will be different. Play around, experiment, and see what works for your workflow! Don't be afraid to push the boundaries and create truly personalized zones.

If you're currently looking for a new monitor, learn which monitors are geared toward gaming . If you're new to dual monitor setups, check out this guide to using multiple computer monitors effectively .