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

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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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-12T01:21:01+00:00

    when the application is opened on the monitor you want it to stay on, press windows+shift+enter, then close and reopen the application and it will always pop up on the desired monitor👍😄

    The OP's question is:

    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 ...

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-27T08:14:03+00:00

    I agree completely. Unfortunately, Microsoft is no longer a company but a money machine. They can't take care of the little things, but the system itself is stuffed with ads for products you don't want or need. It doesn't matter that we choose NOT TO USE.... still every now and then they remind of themselves....

    The policy of this company now looks like: everything bit by bit, nothing good.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-12T18:11:48+00:00

    When the shortcut specifies -screen:1 (or any number), it gets the message

    Any suggestions?

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-11-15T14:19:10+00:00

    this also not working too.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-08-16T22:42:22+00:00

    I have the same issue but I noticed it happens because Windows remembers the last monitor used for a particular application or file type. When you launch an application or open a file, Windows attempts to open it in the same location it was last closed, even if that monitor is turned off (as it happens for me and I get annoyed since I rarely use it).

    The only two other solutions are Powershell Scripting where you'd have to write a startup script in order to force it, and some heavy registry editing.

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