Windows 7 forum: Side by side in Windows 7

This is a feature of Windows 7 as shown in my image here; http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/442/sidebysidej.jpg/

I did that with 3 bowser windows and used the "Show windows side by side" option by right clicking near the clock, so I am unsure why this doesn't work with you.

I can't test the 'drag to side' option because I use a two monitor setup and although I can drag to the left on the left-hand monitor, and drag to the right on the right-hand monitor, I can't drag to the middle dividing line. However, using the Notification Area right click option, the 3 windows re-position themselves in the left hand monitor vertically side by side.

So it does work, at least in my Windows 7 Ultimate. What version Windows 7 do you have? I suppose it is possible that some Windows 7 Starter version or Windows Home Premium does not have this feature, but that would surprise me.

That makes it strange that this doesn't work with you. Has this ever worked on this computer? If so, what has changed since it last worked?

Do you have Aero turned off? I doubt that would make a difference, but I don't know for sure.

Mark

The feature has not been reliable enough for me either. I've seen it work and then on some cards, fail to deliver.

Back to scripting.

Something amiss with yours?

Mark

It was an older desktop at the office. New video card solved this and a few other issues. BUT some folk can't fix it so we offer another way.

You said this is not a feature of Windows, but help/support on the computer shows how 3 windows should open vertically, side by side, when you click the taskbar and choose 'open side by side.' Also, I tried the link in your response and, I'm sorry, but I haven't the faintest idea what it is talking about.

Another reply asked about our system: I have Windows 7 on an HP Pavilion g6 laptop. We just bought it, and I
was testing its features to make sure they all worked. Aero is not turned off. I have
written to Microsoft's technet team in search for help too. I don't
know why the help section would show us how to do something if in fact
it isn't possible for us to do.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enable-troubleshoot-aero-effects-windows-7/

This lists other Aero effects that should be available on your system. See if each of the others work, eg Aero Peek, Aero Shake, and Aero Flip.

If they do then at least you know some of the aero effects work. But that link also has troubleshooting steps and you will see that Windows 7 automatically adjusts Aero effects based on your computer's Windows Experience Index.

The page also explains how to enable certain effects and other troubleshooting options.

If they all fail and your computer's Windows Experience Index suggests that they should not, then your last resort is to contact HP. The computer is under warranty and they should be your next port of call.

I hope that helps.

Mark

All of the Aero effects work just fine -- except for the side by side feature that is supposed to arrange 3 open windows next to each other vertically simultaneously. I have written to HP, and we have exchanged emails on this topic at least 3 times, and they insist it can be done. However, when they explain how to do it, or send me a link to a webpage that will explain how, the explanations are how to have TWO pages, not THREE, line up side by side. My latest email to them mentioned 3 windows -- spelled out, bolded, underlined, italicized, enlarged -- at least a half dozen times so they'd notice that I was talking about 3, not 2, windows side by side. I'm awaiting their response.

And the saga goes on.....

Despite what I said and showed you, (link to ImageShack) above, I have just encountered a failure in my Side-by-Side.

My first attempt in the image before was of 3 browser windows, using 2 Firefox windows and one IE window.

But look at the first image below, "3sidebysidefailed.jpg". I used 3 different application windows, Firefox, Windows Explorer and CCleaner. But CCleaner didn't change to side by side and I only got the other two to do that.

I tried with other application windows. In the 2nd link below I used VLC (media player), Firefox and Windows Explorer, and they configured to side by side.

In the 3rd image link below I tried Notepad, Firefox and Windows Explorer, and they also changed position to side by side.

http://imageshack.us/f/823/3sidebysidefailed.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/f/444/sidebysidesuccess01.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/f/51/sidebysidesuccess02.jpg/

So, my system with Windows 7 Ultimate is not infallible. I have to wonder if this fails or succeeds depending which application window is opened.

So, tell me this. Can you get two browser windows to change to Side by Side? I've just tried with two Firefox windows and then with two IE windows and they both worked. If you can get two windows side by side, then there is nothing wrong fundamentally with your system.

But if two browser windows fail, then there is a fault. May be it is what Bob says, a fault in the video card or the driver. Or may be the video card isn't up to it. I don't know.

If you can get two to work, then experiment is in order. Try 3 browser windows, then try 3 different application windows.

Try two Word windows, then 3 Word windows. Try different combinations.

Let us know what you find out.

Mark

Bugs like these will cause calls to support. Since we needed it to work in spite of troubles like yours, we had to find another way.

Since it is a feature, I can't offer much more than a workaround when it fails.
Bob