Let's see how to change the main screen in Windows 10 through our guide on how to set up multiple monitors and switch between them easily. And there are many occasions in which two or more monitors are essential for better performance on the computer, whether for professional work (thus gaining more space) or simply for leisure. Therefore, first we are going to explain how to connect monitors and then go on to detail how to switch between them from the Windows 10 settings. Do not miss how to change the main screen Windows 10.
How to change the main screen in Windows 10
Index of contents
- How to connect two monitors to the computer
- How to switch between screens
- How to configure and customize the two screens
How to connect two monitors to the computer
The first step is check connections of both your monitors and the computer, with the cables correctly installed, whether they are HDMI, DVI, VGA or DisplayPort, depending in each case on the necessary cable. In the case of having a computer tower (the most common), the screens (normally two) will have to be connected to the graphics card or PCI through their corresponding slots.
When you connect the second screen to the computer, Windows 10 will automatically detect it by playing the typical new device connection sound; once connected, you will see a second Windows 10 desktop on the other monitor. By default, it will be configured as a monitor located next to the other, so to access it you will only have to move the mouse towards the adjacent end of one monitor to jump to the other, as if they formed a single screen.
Of course, you must keep in mind that when you join the two desktops as one, Windows 10 will respect the resolutions of each one. Thus, if one of the monitors is 4K and the other is Full HD (1080p), the result will be a desktop of 4,480x1,440 pixels, but it will only reach 1080p on the secondary monitor.
How to switch between screens
Once both monitors are connected, you can press the key combination Windows + P to access the display mode selector. This selector will appear in a pop-up column located in the lower right corner of your main screen and will offer four options for configuring monitors:
- Enlarge | Each monitor displays a separate desktop and you can use them at the same time, moving things from one to the other; It is the default mode.
- PC screen only | To disconnect the second monitor and use only the main monitor; The second monitor will remain connected and can be activated at any time if desired.
- Second screen only | To disconnect the main monitor and use only the secondary monitor; The first monitor will remain connected and can be activated at any time if desired.
- Duplicate | The secondary monitor shows the same image of the main one as a mirror.
Just select the option you need at any time using the key combination Windows + P, changing between them at any time and without any problem.
How to configure and customize the two screens
Finally, you can always access the Windows 10 Settings to finish configuring your computer monitors; To do this, click on the gear icon from the Windows 10 menu and select the option System. Now click on the option Screen, placed in first place; Here you can configure the settings for each screen.
Thus, in Select and rearrange screens You can configure each monitor as main and secondary, alternating between them at any time, so that you do not have to physically move them and you can do it through the Windows 10 settings. To do this, simply drag a monitor to the side you want and click on Apply.
On the other hand, in the section Advanced display settings You will be able to see the characteristics of each connected screen, both its resolution and frequency, as well as its color format or manufacturer and model.
Back to Windows 10 Settings, you can customize each monitor through the main option Personalization. Here you can configure various aspects such as Background, extending the desktop background image between both monitors through the option Extend. In TaskbarOn the other hand, you can configure the taskbar for each monitor using the option Multiple displays – Show taskbar buttons. Choose the option you prefer:
- All taskbars | The taskbar appears duplicated for each monitor.
- Taskbar and main taskbar where the window opens | Each taskbar on each monitor will show only the icons of the programs and applications open on it. If you open a program on the main screen and drag it to the secondary screen, the icon will appear on the screen where you opened it and on the screen where it is located.
- Taskbar where the window opens | Only the icons of the programs and applications that are open on that screen will appear on the taskbar of each screen.
