How to change monitors 1 and 2 in Windows

In Windows 10 and 11, you can rearrange multiple displays connected to your computer to reflect their physical arrangement. Similarly, you can also configure any display as your primary display. Here's how to change the position of monitors 1 and 2 and set the primary monitor in a multi-monitor setup in Windows.

How to change monitors 1 and 2 on Windows

A common problem when setting up dual monitors is when you need to move the mouse pointer to the left side of the screen to get to the second monitor. You can fix this by rearranging the display to reflect its physical layout. To swap displays 1 and 2:

1. Press Win + P to open the Project menu, then select Extend to extend your desktop across multiple monitors. If you can't extend your display, make sure you've configured your dual-monitor setup correctly.

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 2. Right-click on an empty area of ​​your desktop and select Display Settings. Alternatively, go to Settings > System > Display.

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3. In Display settings, click Identify. Windows will display numbered boxes on your screen to help you identify screens 1 and 2 (as well as other screens, if you have more than two).

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4. To rearrange the displays, drag each display to the left/right or top/bottom position to duplicate your physical setup. For example, if you have a vertical dual monitor setup where monitor 2 is placed below monitor 1, drag and position monitor 1 above monitor 2 to mimic the physical layout.

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5. Click Apply to save the new display settings. Now, try moving the cursor across the screens to test the new setup. The change will feel seamless.

How to set up a home screen in Windows

The home screen displays the taskbar, desktop icons, notifications, system tray, and quick settings panel. This is also where most new apps will open by default. If you want to change your home screen so that all your important content appears there, you can do this from the Settings app.

To set the default display on a dual monitor setup:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

2. Open the System tab and select Display.

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 3. Here, select the screen you want to set as your primary screen.

4. Click to expand Multiple displays to see more options.

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5. Select the Make this my main display option. Once completed, Windows will move the taskbar items, system tray, desktop icons, and notifications to your home screen.

Rearranging screens to reflect their physical layout is necessary to ensure that your cursor moves easily between screens. Additionally, setting your home screen will ensure your taskbar and desktop icons appear on the screen you want. You should also consider using the best dual monitor management apps to further enhance your multi-monitor setup experience.

Marvin Fry

Update 06 February 2024