Shortcut: to keep Start on laptop screen, Desktop on Monitor

Bree said:

As for Ctrl-Esc, the WinKey wasn't always on keyboards. Ctrl-Esc was the standard shortcut for 'Start' before the WinKey was added.

I added a comment to the thumbs up, "reputation" icon, maybe that isn't the place.

Thanks for reminding me that older keyboards didn't have the WinKey.

mikecox said:

Thanks for reminding me that older keyboards didn't have the WinKey.

It's a 'generation thing' - some of us were lucky enough to grow up using the legendary IBM keyboard (no WinKey there!) - now being faithfully recreated, apparently...

At the heart of the Best Keyboard Ever, is IBM's venerated buckling spring switch technology. This switch technology was developed in the 1970's and is at the core of the IBM Model F. This keyboard switch has a delicate yet incredibly tactile response that makes typing a pure pleasure.

https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/

alphanumeric said:

Tablet mode is disabled if you have more than one monitor in use.
You can open the start menu on any monitor you want be clicking the Start Icon on the taskbar "on that monitor"...
Windows will remember to open on that monitor after that.

Thanks for this very helpful response.

I do a lot of photo-editing in Lr and Ps and had problems when I move these programs off my monitor unto my Surface Book (SB) screen, everything got really tiny! I found out about the "manifest" option which resolved that issue.

I never use tablet mode but I image that when I decide to all I would have to do is unplug the Docking station, then remove the screen.

But I have never been completely happy with my monitor setup, mostly, I believe, because I never completely understood it.

I seldom use the icons on the SB taskbar because when I do the programs open, as you pointed out, on my monitor. But now I see using the Start Icon on the SB opens it on the SB screen. Cool, I will use that option more in the future.

I have noted that icons on the SB taskbar get underlined when open on the monitor and that they turn into dots (or just get so small they appear to be dots).

I think I need to learn more about the "taskbar setup" options because I had no idea I could do some of the things you mentioned.

As for "remembering", my system does not do that. When I wake my SB all the programs that were open on the SB screen are on my monitor and I have to drag them back to the SB screen, it's annoying! Also, my Desktop Icons, that are on my monitor, are often pushed into a bunch on that monitor or on the SB screen. I regularly have to run the "restore desktop" option, also very annoying.

Of course, the mystery remains (-: Why did my Start screen open on the SB when I hit some random keys. But the answer to that question is moot at this point. I've learned some things by posting the question, now I want to figure out how to set up my monitor system so it behaves the way I expect it to!

alphanumeric said:

Just to clarify, the Start Screen will only ever open on the monitor set as default if you launch it from the keyboard shortcut. Even lunching it from the taskbar on another monitor won't change that.

One thing that really annoys me is it won't stay open. If I open it on one monitor, then change focus to another monitor, it closes instantly. Totally defeating the whole purpose of the live tiles.

Thanks for the ref to the Taskbar settings, I've made the changes.

Now to see what happens the next time I wake my machine or reboot. I'm hoping to see my programs, on both screens, instead of all on my monitor and needing to be re-arranged.

BTW What does this mean You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to alphanumeric again.

mikecox said:

BTW What does this mean You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to alphanumeric again.

Reputation User Spread

How many different users must you give reputation to before you can hit the same person again? Administrators are exempt from this limit. 10

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