Windows 7 - Display Switch Shortcut - Create

**Brink**

How to Create a Display Switch Shortcut in Windows 7

Information

This will show you how to create or download a Display Switch shortcut to use to change how your desktop is displayed. You can also Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu this shortcut, or move where you like for easy use.

Note

You can also press the Windows Key + P to open Display Switch.

EXAMPLE: Display Switch
NOTE: This is what the shortcut in OPTION ONE, and the first choice in step 2 of OPTION TWO, will open to select how you want your desktop to be displayed.

OPTION ONE

Download the Shortcut

1. Click on the download button below to download the Display_Switch.zip file.
NOTE: This shortcut opens Display Switch.

2. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop.

3. Open the .zip file and extract the Display Switch shortcut to the desktop.

4. Right click on the Display Switch shortcut, and click on Properties, General tab, and on the Unblock button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you do not have a Unblock button under the General tab, then the shortcut is already unblocked and you can continue on to step 5.

5. Move the shortcut to where you like for easy use.

6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .zip file on the desktop if you like, or save it to use again.

OPTION TWO

Manually Create the Shortcut

1. Right click on a empty area on desktop, and click on New and Shortcut. (See screenshot below)

2. Type in one of the commands below into the location area that you want, and click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)

Opens Display Switch

C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe

Switches to External or "Projector" Display Immediately

C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /external

Switches to "Computer only" Display Immediately

C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /internal

Switches to "Duplicate" Display Immediately

C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /clone

Switches to "Extend" Display Immediately

C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /extend

3. Type Display Switch for the name, and click on the Finish button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can name this anything you would like though.

4. Move the shortcut to where you like for easy use.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**seomantor** · 02-02-2010

Why not create up to 4 shortcuts to switch automaticly

C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /external
C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /internal
C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /clone
C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe /extend

**Brink** · 02-02-2010

Hello Seomantor, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Thank you for sharing this tip.

**homamkeh** · 05-24-2010

Hey all,

I had a problem when switching from my dual monitor setup to my projector and back. I wrote this simple ahk script that launches the commands that Brink posted above.

the problem was that sometimes when i turn off my projector the screen would not come back to my dual monitor setup, forcing me to turn the projector back on and manually hitting win + P to hit extended and everything would go back to normal.

Anyways, you will need to install autohotkey.
to use the attached script. the hotkeys are as follows:

ctrl+alt + E (For extended)
ctrl+alt + I (For Internal)
ctrl+alt + C (For clone)
ctrl+alt + P (for projector)

Note that you will need to change the extension from .txt to .ahk for it to be used with autohotkey. you can switch back to .txt for editing (change the shortcuts or whatever you like!)

hope this helps!

**alphanumeric** · 05-25-2010

Thank you, this should save some wear and tear on my keyboard. I often switch from dual to single and back again when playing games.

Windows 7 - Display Switch Shortcut - Create

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