Power up your desktop: Mastering FancyZones in Microsoft PowerToys

PowerToys is a valuable addition to Windows that allows you to use a range of free tools that simplify system operation. One of them is the FancyZones application, which helps efficiently manage the layout of program windows on the desktop. We explain how to operate this tool.

Windows users, especially those who use multiple programs simultaneously daily, likely regularly use the ability to split large screens into virtual sectors to handle several software windows conveniently. However, the built-in Windows tool is limited in terms of configuration options. A convenient alternative is the free Microsoft PowerToys add-ons.

Among the tools available within PowerToys is FancyZones, which greatly facilitates ultrawide screens and setups with multiple monitors. You can split the workspace into sections and move application windows between them with the mouse by pressing a button on the keyboard. All configurations can be saved for later and called up to quickly transform the workspace on the desktop, depending on the task.

Of course, the first step to using FancyZones is to install PowerToys. After launching the tool, all its elements are visible in the main menu. You need to find the FancyZones option and enable the tool with the slider.

In the subsequent steps, you can proceed to configuration. The most important part of this is the Layout Editor, which will be launched in a new window. Here, you can choose what screen division will be convenient or create your own - in this way, you can divide the screen into many smaller areas, to which applications can be conveniently fitted later by dragging their windows with the mouse.

In the Layout Editor, you can start by creating a new layout. The button in the bottom right corner of the window enables this. A small wizard will appear on the screen, allowing you to name the layout (you can change it later but it's worth doing right away so it can be conveniently found on the list) and choose a grid or canvas layout. Further steps will be demonstrated using the grid as an example.

After automatically launching the next editor, you can freely set and add new screen division elements. Simply click the mouse to make another division slider appear on the screen, which can be moved freely. This way, any layout can be created with divisions into many parts. This solution's advantage is especially visible when using ultrawide monitors and needing to use many program windows simultaneously. Nothing prevents you from creating a very advanced layout, provided you utilise its advantages, for example:

After initially setting up the layout, it will appear on the list of all custom layouts in the main editor window. Then, you can select the pencil button to go to additional settings. Here you can choose a numeric shortcut for the layout (useful if you want to regularly use more than one layout, as you may use the computer for completely different tasks) and decide on the gaps between windows - in our opinion, it's most convenient to reduce them to zero. Naturally, at any time, you can also return to edit the layout again.

After selecting settings and activating the layout, it's time to start using it. Additional options in the main FancyZones window will also be useful. Pay special attention to the keyboard shortcut, which will allow quick access to the settings window, but not only - we also recommend enabling highlighting zones by pressing the Shift key. This way, daily operation comes down to the habit of "grabbing" windows with the mouse by the top bar and pressing Shift on the keyboard, to later "drop" the window in the chosen zone (to which it will be automatically adjusted).

There are many more options, but all are clearly described, and using them is a matter of experimentation and analysing your preferences. Note that it is possible to, among other things, exclude certain applications to be ignored by FancyZones snapping and react solely to system ones or the option to change colours to match the layout and application division to your taste or the current desktop wallpaper.

A convenient division of the workspace significantly impacts work efficiency on the computer, so it's worth taking a moment to arrange it properly.