HOW DO I MAKE A PROGRAM OPEN ON A SPECIFIC MONITOR THAT I DESIGNATE EVERY TIME I WANT TO OPEN IT?

Anonymous
2024-02-15T00:34:12+00:00

This isn't a new question but I've seen it asked here for 15 years and 3 OS variants with no actual answer (you'd think this would be something to work on instead of obfuscating how to get to your control panel, file, and drive locations while trying to turn my +$3K pc into a sub $400, non-portable tablet with no touch screen).

HOW DO I MAKE A PROGRAM OPEN ON A SPECIFIC MONITOR EVERY TIME?

Note, the question is NOT how to move a program after you open it; it is NOT how to change primary display; it is NOT how to anything other the actual question asked as specifically as the question is. If there is no answer and Windows just isn't able to (and our programmers don't care to work on it) just say so.

I have an OLED gaming monitor that I paid more for than I would ever have wanted to pay for a monitor and would like it to last as long as possible. I would therefore like it not to be the primary display. I only use it for media and gaming. The problem is that windows doesn't let me choose secondary displays to open games and reverts half of the applications I open and move over back to the primary display. I can do this with some games but most default to only opening on the primary monitor. I have a good LCD monitor I use for productivity and streaming while playing games that I would like to remain my main display where most apps, and all non-media apps, are default opening. So far the only way I know to do it is to turn the OLED off unless I am using it. This solution is clunky and kind of like using a kitchen knife to sharpen pencils when a pencil sharpener is can be made.

So please don't answer this if you are going to give the same non-answers I've been reading while searching for an answer to this (going back 15 years btw, because someone really cares about the user experience). If you have a real answer please give it, again, even if it is "we don't have a way and don't care to make one."

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Display and graphics

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-06-03T14:53:09+00:00

    The problem with doing that switching of the screens around the central screen is that now your mouse doesn't flow across the screens properly. The mouse no longer moves from left to right (or right to left), from the most left screen to the most right screen (and vise-versa)

    When you move the mouse right of the central screen, it pops up on the left screen. Same with moving left. For me, it's not the answer to the original issue of getting an app to open on a particular screen/monitor.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-07-09T18:54:31+00:00

    In the start message specifically noticed that it's NOT a desired solution...

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-07-10T09:44:10+00:00

    We're not trying to open it on the main display. I guess no one reads the previous posts....

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-10-07T10:29:51+00:00

    Win+Shift+left/right arrow will move current window or fullscreen application to the monitor left or right of the current primary or current monitor.

    This is not the same as launching directly to the desired monitor, I'l agree, but while it is not a solution it is - to me - an acceptable work-around.

    There used to be a third-party which would launch pre-selected applications and applied monitor settings post-launch, which was great for those of us who like to have menus, palettes and tools on side screens and the design project on the main screen while working with Photoshop, CAD, or even Office. Alas, it stopped working a couple of years ago and I no longer remember the name of it. I was unable to find a substitute and have long since stopped looking. SmartWindows is a possibility, but I haven't tested it.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-08-19T20:46:35+00:00

    Microsoft,

    How hard would it be to simple have a field in app properties that list display. Open in Display 2,3 ect..however many detected.. If nothing checked or Display 2 unavailable, always the default screen? I mean, come on man... would you like me to do it for you. I ain't cheap though...

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