How to set the default display screen in Windows 11?

Question

Hi,

I am a Windows 11 user. My laptop has two screens, but for most of the time, I just want to use the main screen (screen 1) and disable the second screen (screen 2). I can set "System > Display > Show only on 1 > Keep changes" to make this happen, but every time I restart my laptop, it would be reset to some other option (either "Extend these displays" or "Show only on 2"). I wonder why it happens and how I can make "Show only on 1" the default option.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello ,

Good to see you in Microsoft Community.

Firstly, could you let me know the specific system version (OS Build)? You can check it by pressing Win + X > System > Windows specifications*, click “Copy” and paste it in your next reply*.

Then please check the basic hardware information of your device. Win + Q to open the search box, type “msinfo32”, then open “System Information”, please take a screenshot of it and attach it to your next reply.

Because some models of laptops have two screens (not external screens), and by default both screens are enabled simultaneously, this is by design and depends on the manufacturer of the computer device.

If you only want to use one of the screens, you can disable the one you don't want to use in Device Manager, but make sure not to disable both at the same time. "Win*" + "X" > "Device Manager" > "Monitors", find* the screen device that you want to disable it*, then right click > "Disable device"*, then reboot to see if it works. The system will automatically search and install the driver suitable for your device generally.

If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards,

Mosken_L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Thanks for helping. This is my Windows specifications:

Edition Windows 11 Pro

Version 22H2

Installed on ‎6/‎30/‎2023

OS build 22621.3007

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22681.1000.0

Hardware info:

I found two monitors in the Device Manager. Should I disable the second one (Generic Monitor)?

_

<Edited to remove PII>

Answer 3

I tried to disable a monitor but both monitors are still actually working. When restarting, the second screen is still the one to display by default. Any other suggestion?

Answer 4

When you set to "Show only on 1" in Windows Settings, please reboot the system immediately, which will theoretically save the setting options.

Answer 5

I did what you suggested. It worked when I shut down or restart my laptop normally, but there is still a weird problem. This problem occurred after I made some changes to Device Manager (when I tried to disable some Monitors and Display Adapters), even though I enabled all of them afterwards.

When I close the lip of my laptop and reopen it, the default screen will always be switched to screen 2. Even more strangely, when screen 2 is activated in this way, sometimes the brightness of it is so low that I can see nothing on that screen clearly. I have to restart the laptop everytime I encounter this to switch the screen back to screen 1. Why it happens and how to solve it? Thanks.