How do I choose which monitor new desktop icons appear on?

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  1. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
       #1

    How do I choose which monitor new desktop icons appear on?


    I am using a computer with multiple monitors. I have monitor 1 set as my main display, and monitor 2 is secondary.

    When I save a file to my desktop, the file always seems to appear on my secondary monitor instead of my main display, even though monitor 1 is set to be the main display.

    Is it possible to change which monitor new desktop icons appear on?
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  2. Posts : 4,752
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #2

    Right click a blank space on the desktop and choose Display Settings. Click Identify to see how Windows sees your monitors. A number will appear for a second on each monitor. Rearrange your monitors by dragging and dropping the squares to the way you want them to be ordered. Select the box that is your main monitor. Scroll down to Multiple Displays, and put a check box in Make this my main display.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Answer does not work…


    spunk said:
    Right click a blank space on the desktop and choose Display Settings. Click Identify to see how Windows sees your monitors. A number will appear for a second on each monitor. Rearrange your monitors by dragging and dropping the squares to the way you want them to be ordered. Select the box that is your main monitor. Scroll down to Multiple Displays, and put a check box in Make this my main display.
    I'm afraid that is not applicable. There is already a check in the main display checkbox for monitor 1, however my new desktop icons are appearing on monitor 2.
    Last edited by Overtone4319; 29 Apr 2021 at 10:18. Reason: Clarification
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  4. Posts : 4,752
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #4

    Select Monitor 1 Uncheck Make this Main, Press Identify again, Confirm that Monitor 1 is the computer you want to be your Main computer. Make sure Monitor 1 is the Highlighted box, Drag the Display Settings window to Monitor 1 and put the check back in Make this my Main Display
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    spunk said:
    Select Monitor 1 Uncheck Make this Main, Press Identify again, Confirm that Monitor 1 is the computer you want to be your Main computer. Make sure Monitor 1 is the Highlighted box, Drag the Display Settings window to Monitor 1 and put the check back in Make this my Main Display
    I can't uncheck "Make this my main display," it's dimmed and checked.
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  6. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #6

    Select monitor 2 or 3, then tick the box for make this my main display. That will switch the main display to that monitor. Then go back to monitor 1. It will then be selectable as Make this my main display.
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  7. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #7

    I run three displays, but I don't show any icons on my desktop. I do everything from the Taskbar or Start Menu. I don't save anything to my Desktop. Different strokes for different folks.
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  8. Posts : 4,752
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #8

    The Main Monitor doesn't have to have any icons on it, but it will have the taskbar with the start button/Menu on it. Unless you chose to have the taskbar on all monitors
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #9

    I have the taskbar on all monitors. Monitors 2 and 3 only show Icons on the taskbar for what is actually open / running on them.

    Anyway, my monitors are two different sizes, clicking the Windows key brings them up on my main monitor. Clicking the Start Button in the taskbar brings them up on the monitor I click the button on. It looks nice on my large main monitor, no so much on my two other smaller monitors. The layout changes and the ICON are big and kind of ugly. Just FYI post.
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  10. Posts : 11
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Okay, it seems like switching the main display off of monitor 1 and back resolved this problem. New desktop icons now appear on monitor 1. Thank you all for the help!
      My Computer


 

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