How to Set Primary monitor in Extended Desktop

Anonymous

Recently upgrade to Windows 7. I have a thinkpad t60 with mini port replicator. I am trying to use extended desktop. I have external monitor on my left and thinkpad on my right. I can only seem to get extended desktop working with my think pad as primary monitor, so I have to keep moving all my icons to the external monitor to the left (and in front of me). How do I keep same monitors' perspective but just make my external montior my primary montior? Note I have tried dragging the monitors in the "Change Appearance of screens" window, but then my cursor moves opposite of the perspective.

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Anonymous

Hi,

Here is how you can do this:

a. Right click on an empty space on the desktop and click on Screen Resolution.

b. At the top, you will see your current main display with the Start Menu in the lower left corner.

NOTE: If you do not know which monitor is which, then click on the Identity button to display the number on the display to match them with.

c. At the top, click on the numbered display device (ex: monitor, projector or HDMI TV) that you want to make your main display to have its border highlighted.

d. Check the Make this my main display box, and click on OK to apply.

NOTE: You will notice that you when you check this box, the Start Menu will now be in that numbered display.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and Regards:

Shekhar S - Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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19 additional answers

Anonymous

2014-01-02T20:54:19+00:00

Any thoughts on a next step if "Make this my main display" is greyed out and I can't select it?
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Anonymous

2016-10-21T14:08:35+00:00

I'm trying to extend my displays with a new pc on windows 10. I have them both working but it won't allow me to select the one I want as the main screen. I check the 'make this my main display' box but it makes no difference. I tried dragging the number 2 box to the left (where my main screen physically is) and it doesn't drag.

Any ideas at all? It's driving me crazy as the monitor it wants to use as primary is old and crappy resolution and the one it wants to use as secondary is my nice new HD screen purchased at the same time as the pc. Please...HELP!!!
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Anonymous

2014-01-23T03:17:46+00:00

You need to have that display currently turned on in order to make it your main display. You should extend your desktop, either under the 'Multiple displays' tab, or hold 'Windows Button' and 'P' together, then click 'extend'. When you have done this, it should no longer be greyed out.
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Anonymous

2015-09-22T17:27:09+00:00

I don't have any empty spaces on my desktop, what are you talking about??? I just downloaded windows ten and it changed my main office monitor to one that does not function. I cannot even see what is going on in the second monitor which I had slaved in the living room just to watch movies. now I cannot do **** in my office. this is very frustrating for something that was supposed to be better.

this is ****. How do I get my office monitor back????? ****
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