Windows 10 doesn’t have a single keyboard shortcut that makes a different monitor your primary display. The fastest way is to press Windows key + I, go to System > Display, click the monitor you want, and check Make this my main display. If you just need to switch everything to one screen quickly, press Windows key + P and choose PC screen only or Second screen only.
Below are the steps for setting a primary monitor, the keyboard shortcuts that come closest, and fixes for when the option is grayed out.
Keyboard shortcuts for multiple monitors in Windows 10
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Windows key + P | Opens the Project menu: PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, or Second screen only |
| Windows key + Shift + Left/Right arrow | Moves the active window to the other monitor |
| Windows key + I | Opens Settings, where you change the main display |
| Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B | Restarts the graphics driver if a screen goes black |
How to change the primary monitor in Windows 10
- Right-click an empty spot on the desktop and choose Display settings. Or press Windows key + I and click System > Display.
- Under Rearrange your displays, click the monitor you want as your primary. Not sure which is which? Click Identify, and a number appears on each screen.
- Scroll down to Multiple displays. Make sure it’s set to Extend these displays.
- Check Make this my main display.
The change happens right away. Your taskbar clock, notifications, and most new windows now open on that monitor, and desktop icons may move to it.
How to switch screens quickly with Windows key + P
Windows key + P doesn’t change which monitor is primary, but it’s the quickest way to control which screens are on.
- Press Windows key + P.
- Choose an option:
- PC screen only: Uses only your main display.
- Duplicate: Shows the same thing on both screens.
- Extend: Uses both screens as one big desktop.
- Second screen only: Turns off the main display and uses only the other one. This is handy for a laptop connected to a bigger monitor or a TV.
Press Windows key + P repeatedly, or use the arrow keys, to move through the options, then press Enter.
Why “Make this my main display” is grayed out
- That monitor is already the main display. The box is checked and grayed out on the current primary monitor. Select the other one.
- The displays are duplicated. Set Multiple displays to Extend these displays first.
- Only one display is detected. Click Detect, check the cable, and make sure the monitor is on and set to the correct input.
- Outdated graphics driver. Update it through Windows Update or your graphics card maker’s app, then restart.
Other ways to set the primary monitor
- NVIDIA Control Panel: Right-click the desktop, open NVIDIA Control Panel, go to Display > Set up multiple displays, right-click the monitor, and choose Make primary.
- Intel or AMD software: Their display settings also let you choose a primary display, but Windows Settings is usually the easiest.
Tips for a dual-monitor setup
- Match the layout to your desk. In Display settings, drag the monitor boxes so they sit the way your screens do. Otherwise, your mouse moves to the wrong edge.
- Choose where the taskbar shows up. Right-click the taskbar, choose Taskbar settings, and adjust Show taskbar on all displays.
- Using Windows 11? The steps are similar. See how to use dual monitors in Windows 11.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a shortcut to change the primary monitor in Windows 10?
No built-in one. Windows key + P switches which screens are active, and Windows key + I gets you to the display settings fastest.
Why do my windows keep opening on the wrong monitor?
Many apps open on the main display, or on the screen where they were last closed. Set the correct main display, then move the app with Windows key + Shift + arrow and close it there.
Will changing the primary monitor move my desktop icons?
Often, yes. Icons usually move to the new main display. Drag them back if you want them on the other screen.
Does the primary monitor affect games?
Yes. Most full-screen games open on the main display. Some games also have a monitor setting in their display options.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.