HOW DO I MAKE A PROGRAM OPEN ON A SPECIFIC MONITOR THAT I DESIGNATE EVERY TIME I WANT TO OPEN IT?

Question

This isn't a new question but I've seen it asked here for 15 years and 3 OS variants with no actual answer (you'd think this would be something to work on instead of obfuscating how to get to your control panel, file, and drive locations while trying to turn my +$3K pc into a sub $400, non-portable tablet with no touch screen).

HOW DO I MAKE A PROGRAM OPEN ON A SPECIFIC MONITOR EVERY TIME?

Note, the question is NOT how to move a program after you open it; it is NOT how to change primary display; it is NOT how to anything other the actual question asked as specifically as the question is. If there is no answer and Windows just isn't able to (and our programmers don't care to work on it) just say so.

I have an OLED gaming monitor that I paid more for than I would ever have wanted to pay for a monitor and would like it to last as long as possible. I would therefore like it not to be the primary display. I only use it for media and gaming. The problem is that windows doesn't let me choose secondary displays to open games and reverts half of the applications I open and move over back to the primary display. I can do this with some games but most default to only opening on the primary monitor. I have a good LCD monitor I use for productivity and streaming while playing games that I would like to remain my main display where most apps, and all non-media apps, are default opening. So far the only way I know to do it is to turn the OLED off unless I am using it. This solution is clunky and kind of like using a kitchen knife to sharpen pencils when a pencil sharpener is can be made.

So please don't answer this if you are going to give the same non-answers I've been reading while searching for an answer to this (going back 15 years btw, because someone really cares about the user experience). If you have a real answer please give it, again, even if it is "we don't have a way and don't care to make one."

Answer 1

Are you familiar with Auto Hot Key?

"Launch apps and program on specific monitors" https://www.autohotkey.com/boards/viewtopic.php?style=7&t=61564

Essentially:

Create AHK script with custom hotkey to open specific folders and programs to specific monitor location(s).

You can setup a script for one hot key to call multiple programs at once and or react a certain way when particular folder is opened.

Also have AHK can bring apps to foreground for quick switching.

I have AHK override some of unused F keys to bring Discord and notepad++ to foreground when pressing F5 and F8.

Example of my daily use:

Turn on PC

Click bat file that starts multiple ahk scripts compiled to .exe.

Hit button on "Koolertron One Handed Macro mini Mechanical Keyboard" which types hotkey I designated in AHK.

Koolertron>button2>types: ALT+CNTRL+2

Google chrome opens on monitor 2

Koolertron>20>cntrl+1> opens firefox to specific website on display 1.

Answer 2

This worked for me. Thanks.

Answer 3

mi3techno,

Thank you for that information. I will try the AHK and see if it works for me. That's the kind of suggestion/information I think many of us are looking for.

Answer 4

I have the same issue but I noticed it happens because Windows remembers the last monitor used for a particular application or file type. When you launch an application or open a file, Windows attempts to open it in the same location it was last closed, even if that monitor is turned off (as it happens for me and I get annoyed since I rarely use it).

The only two other solutions are Powershell Scripting where you'd have to write a startup script in order to force it, and some heavy registry editing.

Answer 5

Microsoft,

How hard would it be to simple have a field in app properties that list display. Open in Display 2,3 ect..however many detected.. If nothing checked or Display 2 unavailable, always the default screen? I mean, come on man... would you like me to do it for you. I ain't cheap though...