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

I found this on another site (https://smartwindows.app/blog/how-to-make-a-program-open-on-a-specific-monitor-in-windows/) and only that worked for me:

"

Drag and Drop

You can drag and drop a program in the following way to open it on a specific monitor:

• First, launch the program you wish to open on the monitor.
• Drag and drop it to the monitor you want to open it on.
• Then click on the “Restore Down” icon. This will reduce the size of the window by half
• Press the “X” button and close the window

"

Answer 2

I have been having this problem with some excel files that that I have been preparing for a zoom call; one file in particular kept opening on monitor 2, instead of monitor 1. (The file in question is normally opened by VBA code in another file.) Today, I opened the problem file and dragged it to monitor 1. I made an insignificant change to the file and saved it while it was displayed on monitor 1. After testing it several times I can now say that it opens where I want it to: on monitor 1.

Answer 3

Normal User 020,

I bought a new monitor today and was struggling with your same excellent question.

When I opened an application from Monitor 2, it showed up on Monitor 1. So, I decreased the window size and grabbed and moved the window from Monitor 1 to Monitor 2. When I close and reopen the app, it appears on Monitor 2, where I want it.

I hope this helps!

ToddS

Answer 4

Win+Shift+left/right arrow will move current window or fullscreen application to the monitor left or right of the current primary or current monitor.

This is not the same as launching directly to the desired monitor, I'l agree, but while it is not a solution it is - to me - an acceptable work-around.

There used to be a third-party which would launch pre-selected applications and applied monitor settings post-launch, which was great for those of us who like to have menus, palettes and tools on side screens and the design project on the main screen while working with Photoshop, CAD, or even Office. Alas, it stopped working a couple of years ago and I no longer remember the name of it. I was unable to find a substitute and have long since stopped looking. SmartWindows is a possibility, but I haven't tested it.

Answer 5

Hi I just setup my split screen setup for windows 10 and if this helps you guys or ladies then great but what I did so my mouse was able to cross between screens is I connected them both to my graphics card my main monitor is connected with a dvi connection and my second one is connected with an hdmi then right click and go to display settings scroll down to multiple displays and click on show only 1 and change it to extend these displays and now your cursor will cross between your monitors