display settings revert to duplicate every time I connect a new monitor

Question

Hello.

I have a laptop which I regularly connect to monitors to improve my productivity and posture, however every time I connect to a monitor, I am greeted by a duplicated display. I can live with it, but I would rather like to have extend be the default.

Cheers, James.

Answer 1

Hello James,

Thanks for your detailed reply, that helps a lot.

Using the DisplaySwitch.exe /extend approach with Task Scheduler should work well for your situation. You can also go one step further and make it event-based, so it auto-triggers when a display is plugged in.

Here’s how to lock it in more reliably

1. Press the Windows key, type "Task Scheduler," and open it.
2. Click Create Task (not Basic Task).
3. On the General Tab, Name Force Extend Mode

Check Run with highest privileges

4. Triggers Tab

Click New

Begin the task: On an event

Log: System

Source: Display

Event ID: 4101 (this triggers when the display output changes)

5. Actions Tab

Click New

Action: Start a program

Program/script: DisplaySwitch.exe

Add arguments: /extend

6. Conditions & Settings:

Leave as default or adjust to your preferences.

This way, your system will auto-switch to Extend every time a new display gets plugged in, regardless of the monitor model.

Let me know how it goes once you try it. I’ll be here if you still have questions.

Best regards,

Adrian A

Answer 2

thank you kindly for the reply, Adrian.

I'm on a current version of W11, using a HDMI cable directly to the monitor (I know the laptop port is 2.1 but I believe the cable is the standard 1.4) to connect to a multitude of displays. Usually it's a Dell 2719H as that's what my university uses, but there are quite a few of them that I connect to. Occasionally I connect to my personal LG 27GL850-B. I always connect when the laptop (an Acer Swift Go 14 AI 2024 with the Core 5 Ultra 125H) is already on.

I'll give these a shot when I get home, or otw out of Uni.

Regards,

James.

Answer 3

Hello James,

Thank you for bringing this up. I’m Adrian, an independent advisor, and I understand how this repeated screen mirroring can be a bit of a hassle. I'll help you set things up so your display always defaults to Extend when a monitor is connected.

Before we go into the fix, I just need a few quick details.

1. What version of Windows are you running? Is it fully updated?
2. What type of connection do you use to connect your monitor? Is it through HDMI or USB-C?
3. Do you usually connect to the same monitor or switch between different ones?
4. Are you using a docking station or a direct cable connection?
5. Do you usually plug in the monitor while the laptop is already turned on?

With that info, I can offer the best permanent solution.

For now, here’s a simple way to set Extend as the default behavior.

A. Save display profile
Connect your monitor
Press Windows + P and select Extend
Right-click on the desktop, go to Display settings
Make sure display numbers are arranged the way you like
Click Identify if needed

Once confirmed, close the settings window. Windows should now remember this layout for the next time

B. If your PC still forgets the setting

Open Task Scheduler
Create a basic task called “Set Display Mode.”

Set trigger to “When I log on” or “When an event occurs” > Choose System > Power-Troubleshooter > Event ID: 105
Set action as “Start a program.”

Use this command:
DisplaySwitch.exe /extend

This will force Windows to switch to Extend mode every time the monitor is connected or the PC wakes from sleep.

If that won't work, please let me know the answers to the questions above. I’ll stick with you until it works as expected.

Best regards,
Adrian A