Mac Windows app multiple display Issue

Question

Mac Windows app multiple display Issue

Surya Gopisetty 25

I’m using a Mac and connecting to my Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) through the Microsoft Remote Desktop app. When I connect external monitor, the Windows session shows as two displays or split displays instead of just one. I only want AVD to use a single display. How can I fix this so it opens in one clean window on my Mac?

SUNOJ KUMAR YELURU 18,336 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-25T05:16:45.9433333+00:00
Hello @Surya Gopisetty

Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop application on your Mac. Locate and right-click the connection entry for your Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) workspace or host pool. Select Edit.

Configure the Display Settings

Navigate to the Display tab within the connection settings window.

Uncheck "Use all monitors" or "Span across all monitors." This prevents the AVD session from using all connected displays.

Set the Resolution:

Select "Optimize for Retina displays" to match the primary monitor's resolution.

Alternatively, choose "Use custom size" and manually input the desired resolution (e.g., 1920×1080 or 2560×1440).

By unchecking "Use all monitors" and setting a specific resolution in the Microsoft Remote Desktop app's display settings, the AVD session should launch as a single window on your Mac, using only one display.

If the Answer is helpful, please click Accept Answer and Up-Vote, so that it can help others in the community looking for help on similar topics.
Surya Gopisetty 25 Reputation points

2025-10-25T13:43:36.24+00:00

Hi @Sunoj Kumar Yeluru ,

I am using Windows App application

and I don't see an edit option on my PC connection

Please let me know if I am missing anything.
Anonymous

2025-10-27T12:17:27.76+00:00
Hi @Surya Gopisetty ,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community Forum.

The issues you describe may be caused by compatibility or synchronization issues between remote desktop clients and multi monitor configurations.

You can try the below steps to troubleshoot the problem:

Make sure your network connection is stable and has sufficient bandwidth for remote desktop sessions.

Once the issue occurs, close the Remote Desktop session and open it again.

In your MAC system preferences under Mission Control, turn off/disable the option "Display have separate spaces" to help eliminate the problem.

Kindly provide a screenshot should you experience any difficulties while performing the steps.

Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-app/display-settings?source=recommendations&tabs=macosKindly let us know if the above helps or you need further assistance on this issue.

Thanks & Regards,

Shraddha
Surya Gopisetty 25 Reputation points

2025-10-29T10:04:48.3766667+00:00

Hi @shraddha pandey ,

I am still seeing the same Issue
Surya Gopisetty 25 Reputation points

2025-10-29T10:41:49.85+00:00

I am able to see the display settings in configure.

Thanks team.
Anonymous

2025-10-30T13:47:38.11+00:00

Hi @Surya Gopisetty ,

Checking to see whether you have resolved the issue or if you need any further assistance, please let us know. We are happy to help.
Surya Gopisetty 25 Reputation points

2025-10-30T15:20:03.4066667+00:00

Thanks Shraddha Pandey,

the issue is resolved.

Thanks for the help
Malcolm Young 11 Reputation points

2026-06-15T16:09:44.8533333+00:00

For anyone else who finds this thread:

under the "Configure" dialog box, I needed to tick "Use customised settings" in order to see the display options

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Hi @Surya Gopisetty ,

Thanks for reaching out Q/A.

Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop application on your Mac. Locate and right-click the connection entry for your Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) workspace or host pool. Select Configure.

Navigate to the Display tab within the connection settings window.

Go to Display Settings

1.Uncheck: "Use all monitors" or "Span across all monitors" to prevent the session from spanning multiple screens.

2 Set Resolution:

Choose "Optimize for Retina displays" for best fit on your primary monitor.
Or select Use "custom size" and enter a resolution (e.g., 1920×1080 or 2560×1440).

By disabling multi-monitor options and specifying a resolution, your AVD session will open as a single window on your Mac, using only one display.

If the Answer is helpful, please click Accept Answer and Up-Vote, so that it can help others in the community looking for help on similar topics.

Thanks,

Shraddha

0 comments

1 additional answer

Your answer

SUNOJ KUMAR YELURU 18,336 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-25T05:16:45.9433333+00:00

Hello @Surya Gopisetty

Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop application on your Mac. Locate and right-click the connection entry for your Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) workspace or host pool. Select Edit.

Configure the Display Settings

Navigate to the Display tab within the connection settings window.

Uncheck "Use all monitors" or "Span across all monitors." This prevents the AVD session from using all connected displays.

Set the Resolution:

Select "Optimize for Retina displays" to match the primary monitor's resolution.

Alternatively, choose "Use custom size" and manually input the desired resolution (e.g., 1920×1080 or 2560×1440).

By unchecking "Use all monitors" and setting a specific resolution in the Microsoft Remote Desktop app's display settings, the AVD session should launch as a single window on your Mac, using only one display.

If the Answer is helpful, please click Accept Answer and Up-Vote, so that it can help others in the community looking for help on similar topics.
Surya Gopisetty 25 Reputation points

2025-10-25T13:43:36.24+00:00

Hi @Sunoj Kumar Yeluru ,

I am using Windows App application

and I don't see an edit option on my PC connection

Please let me know if I am missing anything.
Anonymous

2025-10-27T12:17:27.76+00:00

Hi @Surya Gopisetty ,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community Forum.

The issues you describe may be caused by compatibility or synchronization issues between remote desktop clients and multi monitor configurations.

You can try the below steps to troubleshoot the problem:

Make sure your network connection is stable and has sufficient bandwidth for remote desktop sessions.

Once the issue occurs, close the Remote Desktop session and open it again.

In your MAC system preferences under Mission Control, turn off/disable the option "Display have separate spaces" to help eliminate the problem.

Kindly provide a screenshot should you experience any difficulties while performing the steps.

Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-app/display-settings?source=recommendations&tabs=macosKindly let us know if the above helps or you need further assistance on this issue.

Thanks & Regards,

Shraddha
Surya Gopisetty 25 Reputation points

2025-10-29T10:04:48.3766667+00:00

Hi @shraddha pandey ,

I am still seeing the same Issue
Surya Gopisetty 25 Reputation points

2025-10-29T10:41:49.85+00:00

I am able to see the display settings in configure.

Thanks team.
Anonymous

2025-10-30T13:47:38.11+00:00

Hi @Surya Gopisetty ,

Checking to see whether you have resolved the issue or if you need any further assistance, please let us know. We are happy to help.
Surya Gopisetty 25 Reputation points

2025-10-30T15:20:03.4066667+00:00

Thanks Shraddha Pandey,

the issue is resolved.

Thanks for the help
Malcolm Young 11 Reputation points

2026-06-15T16:09:44.8533333+00:00

For anyone else who finds this thread:

under the "Configure" dialog box, I needed to tick "Use customised settings" in order to see the display options

Answer 1

Hi @Surya Gopisetty ,

Thanks for reaching out Q/A.

Open the Microsoft Remote Desktop application on your Mac. Locate and right-click the connection entry for your Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) workspace or host pool. Select Configure.

Navigate to the Display tab within the connection settings window.

Go to Display Settings

1.Uncheck: "Use all monitors" or "Span across all monitors" to prevent the session from spanning multiple screens.

2 Set Resolution:

Choose "Optimize for Retina displays" for best fit on your primary monitor.
Or select Use "custom size" and enter a resolution (e.g., 1920×1080 or 2560×1440).

By disabling multi-monitor options and specifying a resolution, your AVD session will open as a single window on your Mac, using only one display.

If the Answer is helpful, please click Accept Answer and Up-Vote, so that it can help others in the community looking for help on similar topics.

Thanks,

Shraddha

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Mac Windows app multiple display Issue

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