Dual Monitor blacks out the second monitor in locked mode

Anonymous
2010-06-25T15:36:04+00:00

Hi There,

We work in support environment and use dual monitors setup. WIN7 heard to have very good support for such setup and easy to use functionalities. However at some point something which was great has gone troubled.

We can use both the monitors while working on it however just the time its locked it blacks out the second monitor background and screensavers set if any. I tried looking for any config changes but in vain. Looking out for answer to this here.

Thanking you in advance.

Kunal Pathak

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2010-10-02T20:28:13+00:00

There is no built in way to change this functionality. **When locked, one screen will be black.**There may be some 3rd party software that may do this however it would not be supported by  Microsoft.

Matthew Arkin - Windows Answers Moderator - Windows Desktop Experience MVP - http://twitter.com/Microsoft\_Cares

This forum post is my own opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of Microsoft, its employees, or other MVPs.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-07-07T07:01:28+00:00

    For this purpose,

    I use the "ClearLock" program.

    http://lifehacker.com/5745826/clearlock-locks-your-windows-desktop-without-hiding-it

    Anything displayed on any other monitor will remain on-screen when locked this way.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-06-29T00:12:56+00:00

    That's stupid easy in winten...

    Step 1. Open the 'personalize' settings from right clicking the desktop.

    Step 2. Select 'Lock Screen' on the left

    Step 3. Open MS Paint.

    Step 4. Create a large solid black rectangle the same size as your screen.

    Step 6. Change the lock screen picture to your black rectangle.

    Step 7. Save and close the window.

    Step 8. Win+L and bask in your matching monitors.

    You're move, microsoft...

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-05-06T13:26:38+00:00

    Hello KK_KNL,

    That function has never been built into any version of Windows. Although there are numerous third party products that will accomplish what you are looking for. Please use your favorite search engine to locate these third party products.

    Hope this helps 

    Even thought it was not built in older Windows versions, I believe it would be a nice feature to be implemented in future updates. This combined with those beautiful "Windows Spotilight" backgrounds would really make my workplace look nice while I'm  away from my desk. I don't think that's the kind of feature witch should require a third party software.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-05-03T16:53:22+00:00

    2 cents in the Jar...

    I'm at a conference, presenting our warehouse wares.  My PC is behind the monitor.  On Monitor 2 I have a slide show running.  On my desktop... my stuff, controls, access to other content etc.

    When I leave the booth, I lock the pc.  The "display" goes blank.  My notebook screen has my lock.

    It would be nice if when I locked my PC, the forward facing extended monitor showed something other than nothing...

    Not the end of the world... but it would allow me to leave my station and lock it, but still keep some sort of content visible.

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