To change the primary display in Windows 10, right-click the desktop and select Display settings. Under Rearrange your displays, select the monitor you want as your main one. Scroll to Multiple displays and check Make this my main display. The taskbar clock, notifications, and most new windows will then open on that monitor. On a newer PC, see how to set the primary monitor in Windows 11.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 26, 2026.
Pick the monitor
- Right-click an empty part of the desktop and select Display settings.
- Under Rearrange your displays, select the monitor you want to be the main one.
- Not sure which is which? Select Identify. A number appears on each screen.
Make it the main display
- Scroll down to Multiple displays.
- Make sure it’s set to Extend these displays.
- Check Make this my main display.
If the box is greyed out, the monitor you selected is already the main display, or the displays are set to Duplicate.
Line the monitors up
Drag the monitor boxes under Rearrange your displays so they match how the screens sit on your desk, then select Apply. This controls where the mouse moves between them. It doesn’t change which one is the main display.
If the main display won’t change
- Make this my main display is grayed out. The monitor you selected is already the main one, or the displays are set to Duplicate. Press Windows logo key + P and choose Extend first.
- The setting resets after a restart or when you dock. Docking stations can change the order monitors are detected in. Update the dock’s firmware and your graphics driver, and plug each monitor into the same port every time.
- Windows only sees one monitor. Select Detect under Multiple displays. If nothing happens, check the cable and the monitor’s input setting.
- Games open on the wrong screen. Most full-screen games use the main display. Change the main display, or pick the monitor in the game’s own display settings.
Use your graphics software
NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Software, and Intel Graphics Command Center also have display settings where you can choose the main monitor. Use them if Windows settings don’t stick.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a keyboard shortcut to change the main display?
No. Windows logo key + P switches between PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, and Second screen only, but it doesn’t change which monitor is the main one.
Why is display 1 not my main monitor?
The numbers come from how the monitors are connected, not from which is the main one. You can make any number the main display.
How do I set up a second monitor first?
See how to set up dual monitors in Windows 10. To fix a blurry or wrong-sized screen, see how to change screen resolution in Windows 10.
Do apps remember which screen they were on?
Many apps reopen on the screen where you last closed them. If one keeps opening on the wrong monitor, move it, then close it there so it remembers.
Can I move the taskbar to the other monitor?
The main taskbar, with the clock, follows the main display. To show a taskbar on every screen, open Taskbar settings and turn on Show taskbar on all displays.
How do I move a window to the other screen quickly?
Press Windows logo key + Shift + Left arrow or Right arrow. The window jumps to the next monitor and keeps its size.
Does the main display have to be the biggest one?
No. Pick whichever screen you look at most. Many people choose the one straight in front of them, even if a second screen is larger.
Does the main display change the sign-in screen?
Yes. The sign-in screen and the lock screen usually appear on the main display.
Will this change which screen my laptop uses when it’s closed?
If you close the lid with an external monitor connected and the lid action set to Do nothing, the external monitor becomes the only screen, so it’s the main display automatically.
Microsoft’s guide is How to use multiple monitors in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: How to center the screen on Windows 10.
Related: How to cast Windows 10 to a TV.
Related: how to use different wallpapers on dual monitors in Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.