Have you connected multiple external monitors to your Windows 11 PC and want to make one of them your main display? Do you want to know how to set a screen as the primary display in Windows 11? This guide shows you how to set a monitor as your main display in Windows 11.
With default settings, when you connect an additional screen and use it with the extend screen mode, Windows 11 automatically sets it as the secondary monitor or second display. The problem with this default behavior is that apps and the Start menu open on the main screen by default, and system tray icons do not appear on the secondary screen. Users who have connected an external monitor to their laptops generally want to set the monitor as the main display.
Setting a monitor or screen as the main display is easy in Windows 11. You just need to open the Settings app and perform a few mouse clicks to set a screen as the main display.
Set a screen as your main screen in Windows 11
Follow the steps below to make a screen the main display in Windows 11.
NOTE: We assume the screens are in extended mode.
Step 1: Ensure that the monitor or display you want to set as the main display is connected to your PC and turned on, unless it’s your laptop’s built-in screen!
Step 2: Open Windows 11 Settings using search or any other method. Go to the System > Display page.
Step 3: The page should show all connected displays. To make one of them the main display, click on the display that you are interested in.
If you are not sure which is your first and second monitor, click the Identify button to see numbers flashing on your screens, which should help you identify your 1 and 2 screens.
Step 4: Once the display that you want to set as the main display is selected, click Multiple displays (refer to the picture above) to see available options for the selected screen.
Step 5: Finally, select the Make this my main display option to set the selected display as your main display. That’s it! You do not have to do anything else.
And if the Make this my main display option is grayed out, it’s likely because it’s already the main display or you have not selected the display as mentioned in Step 3.
Try opening the Start menu or any apps now. It should open on your main display.
Our how to set different wallpapers for each monitor in Windows 11 guide might also interest you.
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