Stop programs opening on 2nd monitor?

gamerdude1989 · 12 Oct 2025 at 16:56

Anyone know how to stop programs keep opening on 2nd monitor?
I leave my pc on, when not in use, but turn monitors off... No matter which order i turn them off, and which order i turn them on... As soon as i turn monitors back on to use my pc, EVERYTHING opens up on 2nd monitor...
I have to keep moving it across to the main screen.. It will then be fine, Until i next turn my monitors back off!!!

I have been into display settings, Clicked to remember monitor based on connection.. Clicked and identified both monitors... etc etc
This was never an issue, Until i built my new pc last week, and installed Windows 11 again...

I wouldnt mind so much.. But i dont always want my side monitor on.. I mainly use that for OBS and stream chat, when im streaming on twitch...
BUt even if i just turn my main monitor on... All programs still open up on 2nd monitor.. I have to then turn side monitor on, Just to move the programs back over to main screen!
I jsut want all programs to open on main monitor, Every time i open them.. and for me to manually transfer them across to side screen, When i want..

cheers

markyb · 15 Oct 2025 at 10:28

Is your main monitor set as "Main display" in display settings?

gamerdude1989 · 16 Oct 2025 at 09:04

markyb said:
Is your main monitor set as "Main display" in display settings?

I sure have..
And ive also selected for it to remember locations of windows on monitors....
It still always moves everything to the side screen...
Wouldnt be so bad, But my side screen in mounted vertically.. So makes everything hard to see

Armageus · 16 Oct 2025 at 09:06

Powertoys Fancyzones and the following option

gamerdude1989 · 28 Oct 2025 at 13:28

Armageus said:
Powertoys Fancyzones and the following option

Nope, this hasnt sorted it bud...

i open steam on my main monitor.. Minimise it to taskbar.. turn monitors off.. turn them back on.. open steam, and it auto goes to side monitor.... As usual...
Same with all programs... Discord, etc etc

Even if i close all programs and leave my PC idling with monitors still on... Come back an hour later, Click to open steam, and it goes back to the side screen again.. Even though i originally had it open on main monitor...

Tetras · 28 Oct 2025 at 14:22

You might want to look into: disabling presence detection, EDID and DDC/CI.

I've seen a few posts where it was mentioned in similar circumstances.

gamerdude1989 · 28 Oct 2025 at 16:16

Tetras said:
You might want to look into: disabling presence detection, EDID and DDC/CI.

I've seen a few posts where it was mentioned in similar circumstances.

I have turned DDC/CI off, in my monitor menu... and set connection from AUTO to DP.
Still does it...

gamerdude1989 · 28 Oct 2025 at 19:58

Found a work-around for it... Instead of manually turning my monitors off... I just set a monitor sleep function for 30 minutes

They just go into standby, and it doesnt seam to mess with my program locations

I guess it works out easier anyway.. havent got to manually turn 2 monitors on... Jsut move the mouse, and they turn theirself on