Dual monitors

[Jester45]

Background:
With my monitor setup i have a large monitor in the middle of my desk and a smaller one to the left. I like having the task bar on the left monitor but keeping most of the programs im actively working on the bigger.

Now what im wondering if its possible to have all windows open on the left(secondary).

 

[Jonathan_King]

Hello,

I believe it is. Just change the primary monitor in Screen Resolution. Select "this is my main monitor".

~JK

 

[Capella]

Hello,

I believe it is. Just change the primary monitor in Screen Resolution. Select "this is my main monitor".

~JK

If you change the primary monitor, your programs will appear in the large monitor but the task bar will also be changed. Also, the mouse will only go to the left monitor if you move the mouse to the right of the large monitor. That is not a good configuration (obviously).

I don't think you can permanantely make a program appear in the secondary monitor, but you can move programs to the secondary monitor. Then, when you open them again, windows might remember the placement of the program so the second execution causes it to appear in the secondary monitor.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Sorry, I did not read the post very carefully. I should have been more careful.

 

[Capella]

nah, you read it carefully enough.

Jester: Now what im wondering if its possible to have all windows open on the left(secondary).

I think you meant open on the RIGHT ...

 

[unifex]

I like having the task bar on the left monitor

Now what im wondering if its possible to have all windows open on the left(secondary).

I think these two phrases confused you guys. The taskbar will normally appear on the primary monitor, i.e. the one chosen primary in the resolution settings as Jonathan suggested. Whether this monitor actually stands on the left or on the right makes no difference. However, in order to have the natural mouse movement (i.e. move from the left monitor to the right one when the mouse crosses the right edge on the left monitor) you have to tell Window how your monitors are organized.

Now, the programs would normally open windows on the primary monitor. So, if you want the smaller one placed on the left to have both the taskbar and the opening programs - just make it primary. You will then be able to move whichever windows you need to the bigger, now secondary, monitor. Of course usually Windows will remember where you last closed a program, and try to open it there next time.So, if you do not want any windows to open automatically in your bigger monitor, you have to move them back tot he smaller one before closing.

Alternatively you can use some third-party software, such as Hydrovision from ATI or Window Manager to manage your Desktop in a more organized way. Personally I don't like to run too many programs in the background, so I just accept the minor inconvenience of having to move the windows where I want them to be.

 

[Jester45]

The problem with having the left/smaller/secondary monitor as the primary is that games will open on that which wouldnt be good.

You would think that everything would be more multi-monitor friendly by now with just about every video card supporting it. I know that single monitors are still the most popular but still should be a good experience.

Thanks for your comments ill try some third party software.