How do I change primary display number and functionality

lbeck · 31 Dec 2016

Acer desktop computer with Nvidea GTX 745 card. Main display is Dell 22" monitor (DVI connection - no HDMI support). I purchased a 19" TV as a second monitor (HDMI connection - no other connection available).

The configuration automatically has my Dell as 2 and the TV as 1. I can set Dell as primary, but so far I'm unable to assign it as monitor 1. How can I make it 1 and primary?

Also, if I drag anything from my primary (currently Dell as 2) I can only drag to the left to get to my secondary monitor which is to the right. I want to drag from my primary to the secondary left -> right. Trying to do so hits the right side of my primary monitor and goes no further. I can only drag to the left to get to my right monitor.

How can I:

make my Dell/DVI number 1 and primary
after making Dell/DVI/1 primary, drag to the right to get to my other (#2) monitor.

Thanks

Edwin · 31 Dec 2016

lbeck said:

Acer desktop computer with Nvidea GTX 745 card. Main display is Dell 22" monitor (DVI connection - no HDMI support). I purchased a 19" TV as a second monitor (HDMI connection - no other connection available).

The configuration automatically has my Dell as 2 and the TV as 1. I can set Dell as primary, but so far I'm unable to assign it as monitor 1. How can I make it 1 and primary?

Also, if I drag anything from my primary (currently Dell as 2) I can only drag to the left to get to my secondary monitor which is to the right. I want to drag from my primary to the secondary left -> right. Trying to do so hits the right side of my primary monitor and goes no further. I can only drag to the left to get to my right monitor.

How can I:

make my Dell/DVI number 1 and primary
after making Dell/DVI/1 primary, drag to the right to get to my other (#2) monitor.

Thanks

In Settings/System/Display, drag the one 'monitor' over and plop it on the other side.
You can't do anything about the identity numbers unless you switch the cards.

How do I change primary display number and functionality-000073.jpg

lbeck · 31 Dec 2016

Thanks. Maybe the identity numbers are irrelevant??

I was thinking that for most apps your main must be 1 and secondary needs to be 2. I'll play around with various apps that use a second monitor and see if it makes any difference.

alphanumeric · 04 Jan 2017

The numbers are irrelevant as far as what monitor is set as the main monitor. You can set any one you want as main.
Go to Settings > System > Display, and click Identify. Then move (drag) the monitors on that screen to match your physical placement.
I run triple monitors for me its 3, 1, 2. You can't change the numbers assigned from Windows. The only way to do that is to swap your monitor ports/cables around. Change what port your monitor is connected to on your video card and its number will change.
Once you have the numbers on the display screen matching your physical layout, your cursor will be able to go from monitor to monitor in the correct way. No brick wall. Then just set the monitor you want as main as main by checking the box for Make this my main monitor.

alphanumeric · 04 Jan 2017

If you go to settings > Personalization > Taskbar, there are options to pick which Icons show on what taskbar. The Multiple Displays options are way at the bottom. I have mine set to "Taskbar where window is open" Only Icons for programs running on my secondary monitors, show on my secondary monitors taskbar. I can see at a glance what I have open and running on each monitor. Once I open a program, move it to the display I want it on, then close it. Windows remembers what display it was last opened on. Even if I launch it from my main screen. Anything launched for the first time will open on what ever display was set as main.
If you press the Windows Logo key + P and select "PC screen only". The display set as main is the one that stays on/active. Do it again and select Extend and they will all be active again. I switch to single when gaming, then back to extend when done gaming.