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I use my surface when I move around the workplace, then come back to my workstation and plug in to an external monitor, for overview of several open programs. Every time I do this, I have to move each window to the external monitor desktop, resize and arrange.
Is there a way to save a layout/set-up, for easy access after un-plugging from monitor and pluggin in again?
Ideal would be to have programs open up automatically, arranged for overview, when external monitor is connected. I realize that probably doesn't exist, but is there some way to save + activate a layout? Or run some macro or third party software to make it happen? Any suggestions are much appreciated!
Thanx!
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
I'm assuming that by multiple sessions you mean that you are opening/closing/opening programs/apps during sessions and these apps/programs are not "always open", as you said "Ideal would be to have programs open up automatically, arranged for overview". The remember window location feature can't do this. Power Toys has Fancy Zones, but there have been issues on multi monitor setups and it won't launch programs automatically. PowerToys FancyZones utility for Windows | Microsoft Learn
Hi Marcus Nielsen1,
Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community.
Just to make sure that I get the correct scenario of your concern: you usually have external monitors connected to your Surface Pro 9 where multiple designated applications are opened and displayed on each monitor then due to moving around, you have to disconnect the device from time to time from the external monitors and when you connect the device back to the external monitors, you have to arrange the applications again on each monitor. Thus, you would like to know if there is a way for the system to remember where those apps are opened when external monitors are connected so that you won't need to rearrange those applications every time you connect the device back to the monitors, correct?
If yes, I'm not sure if the Remember window location feature in Windows 11 would still apply for this but please try these steps and see if this helps. Do these steps below while the device is connected to the external monitors:
Open Windows Settings > System > Display
Under Multiple displays section, check the box next to these options:
Remember window locations based on monitor connection
Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected
After doing those steps, open the applications you need and arrange them based on your preferred locations
Once done, try disconnecting the device from the monitors (this should minimize all windows or applications opened
After some time, reconnect the device to the monitors
Try to open the applications again and see if they opened back to the monitor where you previously opened them
Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Marrion
Nope. You can't save layouts. See Save desktop (win+tab) and window layout - Microsoft Community
Hi Marcus Nielsen1,
We haven't heard from you in more than 72 hours, so we assume that your issue has already been addressed. We will not be monitoring this thread moving forward so, if you need further assistance, please create a new thread to discuss these concerns by clicking this link: Create a new question or start a discussion (microsoft.com).
Thank you for understanding.
Kind regards,
Marrion
