Double Monitors = Double Desktop Headache!

[gir489]

I just got a new monitor, and I've always wondered what it would be like to have 2 monitors at once, seeing as my 16" has nothing wrong with it (aside from a scuff mark in the LCD when I dropped it on a screwdriver)

Anyway, I got it setup, and it's amazing! I'd say it's increased my productivity by 20% and the entertainment factor is unmeasurable. Being able to have a youtube video on the left and have my IDE open on the right is fantastic.

Now, here comes the problems.

I have the monitor on the right (the 22") set as the primary monitor because I want games to open on fullscreen on it. But, I want my desktop icons and start bar to be on the left monitor.

Well, I can get that, but new icons created will show on the right monitor, and I have to minimize everything to get to them to move them to the left monitor. Also, every time I reboot, they appear on the right monitor.

Is there a fix for this? Or is this just a down sight of having the right monitor as the primary monitor?

 

[Lordbob75]

I have my big monitor set as main (with icons), and the taskbar on the right (not main) monitor. Never had an issue with that.
I think all new icons will default to the main monitor, so you would have to move them.

~Lordbob

 

[Holy Moses]

I wonder if Fences program might work for you. Just create a fence on the monitor you want your icons on, then drop them in there. It should save them there permanently (until you move them around yourself).
You can resize the fences to what ever size you want, and if needed, the fence will add scroll bars if you have too many icons in it to display them all. Another real cool featue that I like is the double-click "hide my fences and icons" feature. You do just that, double click the background and the fences disappear, BUT you can also select "exclude this icon from Fences Quick Hide" for icons that you want to stay visible, for a "minimalist" effect if you prefer. Just make sure those "excluded" icons are visible, or at the top of the "scroll" in each fence or they still end up hidden after the double-click. Sorry if this confuses you, but it is actually very simple and you would understand what I mean once you see it.


Just a suggestion. It is freeware and works quite well. There is a paid version which has other cool features.

Fences™ Download - By Stardock - Clean up your desktop clutter

I understand if you don't want 3rd party apps or programs, but it works good for me.

But, as LordBob stated, new icons would appear on your main monitor, so you would have to move them. Fences should lock them, once you move them. Just to test, I am re-installing fences, moving my icons and checking to see if they stay put.

EDIT: I checked and FENCES does lock them to a specific monitor. I just couldn't remember as I USED to have it installed, but now just run an external cloned monitor, and keep my laptop closed.

I would like to know how you guys managed to move your taskbar from your main display though. My taskbar moves with the main dispay choice. Is this only available with desktops? Or am I missing something plainly obvious? Not that I want to move mine, just curious, so no big deal.

 

[gir489]

I will give Fences a try. This is really annoying me and I hate moving my icons every time I reboot.

 

[tuuoploki]

Any exe file can be run with parameters by right clicking the file and choosing properties, however i don't know the parameter, if you google it you could find out how to choose which screen a program will use using this parameter. Id also recommend looking at a program called ultramon, i used it on win xp. it made the taskbar apear on both screens and added other useful functionality.

 

[gir489]

I don't know what relevency that has to do with this thread.

But thanks for the useless information.

Fences worked great.

 

[rchris]

Another program that might be helpful is DisplayFusion. I know it will manage taskbars on either or both monitors... not sure about icons, but I believe they may stay where you put them.