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How to Change the Primary Monitor in Windows 10
Seamlessly change the primary monitor for the best display
3 min. read
Updated onJanuary 4, 2024
updated onJanuary 4, 2024
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Key notes
A two-monitor setup certainly enhances the display and allows better productivity. Sometimes, you may need to change the primary and secondarymonitorsto get the desired results.
This is rather simple, and you can do it in a matter of moments. The best part, there is more than one way to do that, thus giving the option to choose whichever suits you the best.
If you don’t know how to change your primary and secondarymonitor, this article will be perfect for you.
How do I change which monitor is primary inWindows 10?
1. Via Display Settings
1.Right-click on an empty space on the Desktop and choose theDisplay settingsoption from the menu.
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Scroll down toMultiple displays. Your monitors should be displayed here.
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If your secondary monitor is not visible here, click onDetect.
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Select the monitor you want to be your primary one, scroll down and click onMake this my main display.
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After doing that, the selected monitor will become the primary monitor.
If you own multiple monitors and want to change which one is the primary one and which one is the secondary one, you can do this through theDisplay Settingsmenu.
This is a fast and easy method which allows you to change the primary monitor in just a few clicks.
2. Set the main display in NVIDIA Control Panel
If youcan’t open Nvidia Control Panel, fix that first, and you can then find out how to change the primary monitor in Windows.
3. Use the Command Prompt
The last command is the tricky part because the number1wouldn’t work for most of you. As stated earlier, the monitors are not identified the same in theCommand Promptas they were in theNvidia Control PanelorDisplaysettings.
So, you would have to follow a hit-and-trial approach. Start with1and then keep increasing until you identify the correct value to set the desired monitor as primary. And once you hit the bull’s eye, things will be much more seamless in the future.
Also, while you are at it, make sure to identify the values for all connected displays in case you want to change again in the coming days or revert to the previous configuration.
Changing primary and secondarymonitoris quite simple to do onWindows 10. The fastest option is to do it fromDisplaySettings, but you can also use theNvidiaControl Panel. However, using theCommand Promptmethod is a little too intricate for normal users.
If thegame is opening on the wrong monitor, you need to edit the display settings; read this guide to know more.
You can also use similar steps to fixyour app if it is opening on the wrong monitor in Windows 11.
You should know that these solutions also work for multiple display setups, not only two. Find out how toconfigure a three-monitor setup in Windows 10.
Be sure to try all of our solutions, and let us know in the comments section which solution worked for you.
More about the topics:fix monitor,Multi-monitor guides,Windows 10 Guides
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
