Technology

Rearranging and Changing Your Primary Monitor in Windows 11

Last modified 4/24/2026

Rearrange Monitors

When you have multiple monitors sometimes you may want to adjust where Windows thinks the monitor is, to where it physically is to the other monitor.
Right click the desktop and select Display settings. Here you can move the monitor boxes to wherever you want the to be. Be sure to click Apply at the end.

Video showing rearranging monitors in Windows 11

*Note: If you are unsure which monitor is which, you can click the Identify button and a number will display on each monitor


Change Main Monitor

Your main monitor is the one that has all of your desktop icons on it, and a most times, apps will open on that monitor by default. 
To change this, navigate to the Display settings and check the box for the monitor box you wish to be your main monitor. Then click the checkbox next to Make this my main display

Video showing changing main monitor in Windows 11

How to Get Help

Technical assistance is available through the Illinois State University Technology Support Center at:

 





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