How to Open Multiple Main Windows in Blender

Blender allows users to customize their workspace across single or multiple monitors by creating separate main windows. This guide covers the quick and effective methods to open multiple windows in Blender, including using the top menu bar, detaching specific editor panels, and opening duplicate workspaces in new windows.

Method 1: Using the Top Menu Bar

The fastest way to open an exact duplicate of your current main window is through the top application menu:

  1. Look at the top-left corner of the Blender interface.
  2. Click on the Window menu.
  3. Select New Window from the drop-down list.

A new main window will open instantly. You can drag this window to a second monitor and customize its layout independently.

Method 2: Detaching an Editor Area (Shift + Drag)

If you only want to open a specific editor (like the Shader Editor or 3D Viewport) in its own window:

  1. Hover your mouse cursor over the corner of any editor panel until the cursor changes into a crosshair (+).
  2. Press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard.
  3. Click and drag outward from the corner.
  4. Release the mouse button, and the selected area will pop out into a new, independent window.

Method 3: Opening Workspaces in a New Window

To open an entire workspace tab in its own floating window:

  1. Right-click on any workspace tab at the top of the screen (such as Layout, Modeling, or Shading).
  2. Click Duplicate in New Window.

This creates a standalone window dedicated to that specific workspace layout.

How to Close Secondary Windows

To close any extra main window you have opened, click the standard X (close) button in the top corner of the window frame, just as you would with any normal desktop application. Alternatively, you can close detached panels by re-joining them into the main window.