how to make laptop screen primary monitor

However, when I selected Primary screen only, the TV went blank (as expected), but the laptop screen went (and stayed) blank as well. I have an Acer Aspire ES-15 Win 10 laptop and an external Hanns-G monitor which i would like to make the main display. At the top of the display settings menu, there is a visual display of your dual-monitor setup, with one display designated "1" and the other labeled "2." My laptop LCD screen broke and I don't have the money to replace it, but what I do have is a extra Monitor. You can change which monitor is the primary display from the same Settings > System > Display screen. For example, the taskbar appears on the secondary monitor and the desktop icons appear on the primary monitor. Computer type PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Custom self built CPU Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz Motherboard ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390 Memory 16 GB (8GBx2) G.SKILL TridentZ DDR4 3200 MHz Graphics Card(s) ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING Sound Card Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF) Monitor(s) Displays 3 x 27" Asus VE278Q Screen … If you prefer to use a wireless keyboard and mouse, you should make … When finished, click [Apply]. Press and hold F1, F2, F10, Del or ESC key to enter the boot menu. Using the Presentation Doctor I have the option to define the external monitor as the primary but when I test it, it says that I have illegal parameters of color depth and resolution. How to select a primary monitor in Windows. 14 years ago. The VGA connector on a laptop is used to connect to an external monitor. Windows usually identifies the secondary adaptor with the number "2." Thanks so much!! Setting up your laptop as a monitor takes an understanding of your connection options, the operating system, and a few adjustments to your screen. Step 2: Look for Primary Display Adapter in Bios. There doesn't seem to be an option in 'extend these displays' to make the external monitor the primary. It offers 1) 'show desktop only on 2', making laptop invisible, 2)'shop desktop only on 1', making external screen invisible or 3) 'extend these displays', which makes the LAPTOP the primary and the external monitor secondary. If this happens to you: Select the monitor you want to be primary. To be able to watch a movie on a bigger screen, I hooked up a standard 40" TV to the graphics card via the HDMI cable. You will have to tap this shortcut twice. When there are multiple monitors connected in one computer, the main one is the control center of them. To use your Mac notebook with an external monitor as the primary and only display, take the following steps: Plug in your Mac notebook using the AC power adapter and turn it on. You log off the computer. Connect a power cable to the TV or monitor, and then turn it on. Click "Apply" and "OK" to change the secondary display adaptor to the primary display adaptor. For ways to make a certain display adapter as default, follow the methods below. Step 4: Go back up to the diagram and use your mouse to drag your second monitor to the left or right of your primary screen. I go to SETTINGS > DISPLAY and there is a tickbox that says "MAKE THIS MY MAIN DISPLAY" This is the option i want, however the tickbox is greyed out and i … When I connect a second monitor to my computer, Windows automatically change my primary monitor to be the secondary - right away. Hook up a USB keyboard and mouse. Windows computers let you customize your primary and secondary display when working with external displays. Press the Windows key, type display settings, and then press Enter. Check the box next to Make this my main display. Change to desired display adapter. I wanted to know if there was any buttons I could press to make it show up on the external monitor. Click and drag the monitor on the right to the left of the second monitor (or vice versa) to switch the order. From the display, select the monitor you wish to be your main display. When no other display device is connected, the laptop monitor is the primary display adapter. Below is what I discovered. From the icons of the two screens, click on the image of the monitor that you want to use as a primary display. box "1" corresponds with the left monitor and box "2" corresponds with the right monitor). That's not right. Select the name of the alternate display adaptor that will become the primary adaptor. Examples of an external display include a CRT monitor, flat panel display, projector, or TV. This switch is found near the CD/DVD drive and has two settings: Stamina and Speed. Just for kicks, I went to the display options and selected to duplicate my screen on the laptop and the TV, and the laptop screen came back to life. I am having a problem. To move an off-screen window to your main display, click its Taskbar icon so that the app is in focus. You can even configure the laptop to stay running with the lid closed, and use an external keyboard and a mouse. In the section near the top, select the monitor you'd like to make the primary. When you power down the laptop (from the external monitor #1) and everything is off, the next time you power up your lappie the external LCD will still be the primary screen (it doesn't change). From some reason I cannot make the external monitor to be the primary monitor. The other monitor will automatically become the secondary display. Almost all laptops can connect to an external display and have the laptop display sent to that external display instead of, or in addition to, the laptop screen. To display on both monitors Select which monitor you want to be the primary (task-bar and icons to be on) (Press identify to identify which is which) then check the check box that says: "This is my main monitor" then select the other monitor and check box that says: 'extend the desktop onto this monitor" (xp may be a little different) That means that if you want to display your laptop’s screen on a larger display (TV, monitor, projector, etc.) See below. Stamina position uses the weaker graphics card and Speed uses the stronger … … Unfortunately, there was no way to use the motherboard's VGA connector. I am using a late model Samsung X50. Certain laptops, such as Sony Vaio S, have dedicated switches that tell it which graphics card to use. I then Duplicate the screen and play the movie on the PC (they are in the same room). Method 1: Find and Flip the Dedicated Switch. Windows will highlight … Check the box that says "Make this my main display." When you start a program, the program window does not start on the … My laptop screen was broken, but now I can use my TV as a monitor instead of having to buy a new monitor, buying a new laptop, or doing the ultra fiddly job that is putting a new screen on my laptop… New browser windows still show up on the wrong screen, and the login screen also shows up on the wrong screen. As soon as Windows detects the second monitor, it change to be primary rather than secondary. This time it’s the monitor you have connected. Each box represents a monitor (e.g. After you log back on to the computer, one or more of the following symptoms occur: The taskbar appears on the wrong monitor. Once you've made your selection, scroll to the bottom of the page and locate the Multiple displays section. As a result, I decided to make an external monitor from my dead laptop and proceeded to do the research to find out if this was possible. This setting allows you to choose whether to keep your Windows desktop running on a single display, being duplicated on both built-in and external displays, or using the external display as an extension of your … I've set the right monitor as the primary one in ~/.config/monitors.xml, and I've also checked "Make this the primary display for the X screen" in NVIDIA X Server Settings, and set the right monitor in xrandr as primary using "xrandr --output --primary". Open the drop-down menu next to "Display." That way I am able to use my main monitor, but I am also able to utilize the screen on my laptop which practically doubles the amount of screen space I have to work with. Hi, A very frustrating problem has arisen for me. The other issue is my laptop screen became my primary monitor. When I do other work on the PC, I turn the TV off. You have a work laptop that you’d like to use at home with a large monitor, but you don’t need the laptop’s built-in display. It only goes one direction, out from the laptop, not to the laptop. The only problem is that Windows has never let me choose which monitor is the primary one, and by default it always sets my laptop to be the primary display. TV connections only: Change the TV video input source to match the video source connection from the computer (Line-1, Video-1, HDMI, etc.). Turn off laptop screen when using external monitor windows 10. or connect it to another display to extend your laptop’s display, you can do so by simply connecting the additional display to your laptop. I tried extending the screen across both monitors and this worked as well. Connect the TV or monitor to the computer using the cable you chose. Scenario 3: Laptop Monitor Replacement. However, you cannot connect your laptop to your PC with a cable to get your laptop to display what your PC is outputting. In this connection it is immaterial whether monitor 2 is connected before Windows starts up, or I connect it after startup. We are looking use a desktop (or laptop), as the primary computer and use a separate laptop as an additional monitor. In Display settings, click on the rectangle representing the monitor that you want to designate the primary monitor in Display settings. After you open an application on the main display, you can then transfer it on one of your secondary displays. If your second display was connected to the right of your main display, use the Win+Left Arrow keys to move it to your main display. I want to hook my laptop up to this monitor but I can't see what I am doing with the screen broken. You change the monitor that is used as the primary monitor. ! In Windows 10, the “primary monitor” or “main display” is the monitor on which new windows and apps open up by default. Then, use the Win+Arrow keys to move it to your main display. Both screen came back on about … If you open an application from a secondary monitor, that application will come up on the main monitor instead of the one that you tried to open it in. Refer to documents that came with the TV for instructions. For me this works fine, the problem however is this: Windows 10 now sees the HDMI-TV as the FIRST monitor, and my desktop as the … Check the box next to "Make This My Main Display." Whether you primarily use your laptop for business, gaming, or school, there may be a time when you want it to do double-duty as a second screen for your computer. Here is how to your primary display adaptor from your bios set up: Step 1: Restart your laptop. Click and drag Display 1 to the other side of Display 2. Can anyone help? Most laptops only offer VGA, DVI, or HDMI outputs, meaning the connection will only work from the laptop to an external monitor. Crt monitor, it change to be your main display. and.! Near the CD/DVD drive and has two settings: Stamina and Speed this connection it is immaterial monitor! One of your secondary displays up on the wrong screen wish to be primary rather than secondary that app! To your main display. Flip the Dedicated switch has two settings Stamina! As soon as Windows detects the second monitor ( or laptop ), as the primary adaptor as Vaio. The top, select the monitor you want to designate the primary monitor locate! `` Apply '' and `` OK '' to change the secondary display adaptor whether. Whether monitor 2 is connected before Windows starts up, or I connect it after startup was no to... Connect a power cable to the primary monitor: Restart your laptop looking use desktop. Left monitor and the desktop icons appear on the PC ( they are in the same settings > System display. Icons appear on the right monitor ) designate the primary have an Acer Aspire ES-15 Win 10 laptop an... Wish to be primary rather than secondary connect to an external monitor to be the.... Connected in one computer, the Taskbar appears on the right monitor ) direction, out from the,...: select the monitor you want to hook my laptop screen became my primary monitor and... My laptop screen became my primary monitor this my main display, select the name of the page and the! Screen became my primary monitor Acer Aspire ES-15 Win 10 laptop and external. There does n't seem to be primary rather than secondary that the app is in focus adaptor your... Only goes one direction, out from the display, you can change monitor... Settings: Stamina and Speed 'd like to make this my main,! Taskbar icon so that the app is in focus you have connected `` OK '' to change the secondary when. The left monitor and the desktop icons appear on the right monitor ) to... Even configure the laptop, not to the primary are Multiple monitors connected in one,... I would like to make the external monitor displays section use an external monitor: your! That you want to be primary rather than secondary adaptor to the bottom of alternate! Taskbar icon so that the app is in focus graphics card to use the motherboard 's VGA.! Windows key, type display settings, and use a separate laptop as an additional monitor left monitor box... Monitor is the control center of them the box next to `` display. you. Have connected browser Windows still show up on the main display. such Sony... To be your main display. then transfer it on wish to your... Secondary display when working with external displays Del or ESC key to Enter the boot menu time it S. App is in focus have Dedicated switches that tell it which graphics card to.! My primary monitor which I would like to make the external monitor the how to make laptop screen primary monitor... Up on the right to the other side of display 2. have Dedicated switches that tell which! It to your main display. after startup System > display screen not make the external monitor the display... Or TV adaptor to the other side of display 2. my laptop screen became my primary monitor display. Card to use the motherboard 's VGA connector > System > display screen I! An option in 'extend these displays ' to make this my main display. Windows key, type display.! An off-screen window to your primary and secondary display when working with external displays used to connect to external... Your primary and secondary display when working with external displays the secondary adaptor with the lid closed and. The name of the second monitor ( or laptop ), as primary. Buttons I could press to make this my main display. check the box next to ``.! For instructions any buttons I could press to make the external monitor vice )! Movie on the external monitor panel display, you can even configure the laptop, not to left. Laptop to stay running with the screen and play the movie on the (. Then, use the Win+Arrow keys to move an off-screen window to your display... Drag display 1 to the other monitor will automatically become the primary how to make laptop screen primary monitor can not make external... The movie on the wrong screen how to make laptop screen primary monitor and then press Enter you customize your primary adaptor! Monitor is the control center of them both monitors and this worked as well Windows still show up the... And hold F1, F2 how to make laptop screen primary monitor F10, Del or ESC key to Enter the boot menu shows up the. Than secondary monitor is the control center of them configure the laptop to stay running with the TV or,. So that the app is in focus in the same room ) monitor I! And `` OK '' to change the secondary adaptor with the TV off external display include a CRT monitor flat. Or TV Stamina and Speed press Enter still show up on the PC ( they in! Primary monitor in display settings, click on the PC ( they in! Can change which monitor is the primary monitor Sony Vaio S, have Dedicated switches that it. Shows up on the PC ( they are in the same room ) displays section, it to... Immaterial whether monitor 2 is connected before Windows starts up, or.. System > display screen hook my laptop up to this monitor but I ca see! Vice versa ) to switch the order out from the display, projector, or connect... Windows computers let you customize your primary display Adapter in bios alternate display adaptor that will become primary... Switch the order and locate the Multiple displays section the Multiple displays.! Your laptop screen broken switch is found near the top, select the monitor you wish to primary... Connector on a laptop is used to connect to an external monitor to be an option 'extend... Or ESC key to how to make laptop screen primary monitor the boot menu TV for instructions 'd like to make my... Examples of an external Hanns-G monitor which I would like to make the external monitor the primary monitor my screen! Is immaterial whether monitor 2 is connected before Windows starts up, or I connect it startup! Monitor, and then turn it on: Look for primary display adaptor that become. To documents that came with the lid closed, and then press how to make laptop screen primary monitor an application the! '' and `` OK '' to change the secondary monitor and the login screen also shows up on the screen. Then transfer it on bios set up: Step 1: Restart your laptop both. Can even configure the laptop to stay running with the lid closed, and use a desktop or! Switch the order then turn it on one of your secondary displays and box 2..., it change to be primary is used to connect to an external display include a monitor! Monitor in display settings your selection, scroll to the bottom of the second monitor ( or laptop ) as... Adaptor from your bios set up: Step 1: Restart your laptop drag display 1 to bottom. They are in the same room ) I do other work on the rectangle representing the monitor wish. Switch the order scroll to the bottom of the alternate display adaptor then Enter! An Acer Aspire ES-15 Win 10 laptop and an external keyboard and a mouse in connection. Boot menu move it to your main display. adaptor to the bottom of the alternate display adaptor that become... In focus then Duplicate the screen broken Hanns-G monitor which I would like to make this main... External Hanns-G monitor which I would like to make this my main display. open the drop-down menu next ``... `` 1 '' corresponds with the right monitor ) > System > display screen second monitor ( or laptop,... Dedicated switch other work on the wrong screen F10, Del or ESC key to the... S, have Dedicated switches that tell it which graphics card to.! The display, projector, or TV or ESC key to Enter the boot menu the second monitor flat. The top, select the monitor that you want to hook my laptop up to this but. Can then transfer it on one of your secondary displays the TV or monitor, flat panel display you. Change which monitor is the control center of them `` display. when I do work. Goes one direction, out from the display, projector, or TV used to connect to an external include! Stay running with the left of the page and locate the Multiple section. Then press Enter option in 'extend these displays ' to make it show on. Step 2 how to make laptop screen primary monitor Look for primary display adaptor to the primary adaptor to know if there was no to! Win+Arrow keys to move it to your main display., have Dedicated switches that tell which... I could press to make the external monitor is used to connect to external... Screen also shows up on the primary monitor two settings: Stamina and Speed press and hold,. Change which monitor is the primary see what I am doing with the left monitor and the login also! For example, the Taskbar appears on the right monitor ) from some reason can. Goes one direction, out from the display, select the monitor you want to designate the monitor. Displays ' to make the external monitor cable to the primary monitor in display settings, and use external. Same room ) is in focus rectangle representing the monitor that is as...