Are you tired of the clutter and distraction of multiple monitors? Do you find yourself constantly switching back and forth between windows, losing focus and productivity? If so, it may be time to simplify your workspace and switch to a single monitor setup. A single monitor setup can offer numerous benefits, including improved focus, increased productivity, and reduced eyestrain. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to switch to a single monitor Windows setup and explore the advantages it offers.
Before you make the switch to a single monitor setup, it’s important to consider your workflow and needs. If you frequently work with multiple applications or documents simultaneously, a single monitor may not be the best option for you. However, if you find yourself primarily using one application or working on a single project at a time, a single monitor setup can be a great way to streamline your workflow and improve your focus. Additionally, consider the size of your workspace and the resolution of your monitor. A larger monitor with a higher resolution will provide you with more screen real estate and allow you to see more information at once.
Once you’ve decided that a single monitor setup is right for you, the next step is to physically disconnect your extra monitors. Once your extra monitors are disconnected, you can proceed with the following steps to configure your single monitor setup in Windows: Right-click on the desktop and select “Display Settings”. Under the “Display” tab, select the monitor you want to use as your primary display. Check the box next to “Make this my main display”. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes. Your single monitor setup is now complete. You can now enjoy the benefits of a clutter-free and more focused workspace.
Adjust Display Settings
To adjust display settings, follow these steps:
-
Right-click on the desktop and select “Display settings”.
-
Under “Multiple displays”, select the option “Show only on 1”.
-
Click on “Apply”, then “OK”.
Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts to switch between displays:
| Keyboard Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Windows Key + P | Open the projection menu |
| Windows Key + Shift + Left Arrow | Move the active window to the left monitor |
| Windows Key + Shift + Right Arrow | Move the active window to the right monitor |
Use a Keyboard Shortcut
There are several keyboard shortcuts you can use to quickly switch between monitors in Windows:
Option 1
Press Windows key + P to open the “Project” menu. Then, choose the desired display option, such as “Extend” or “Duplicate”
Option 2
Press Windows key + Tab to open the Task View. Then, click on the desired monitor in the Task View preview.
Option 3
Press Windows key + Ctrl + Left/Right arrow to switch between monitors. By default, this shortcut will cycle through all connected displays.
Option 4
| Primary | Secondary | Tertiary |
|---|---|---|
| Main Display | Extended Display 1 | Extended Display 2 |
| Extended Display 1 | Main Display | Extended Display 2 |
| Extended Display 2 | Extended Display 1 | Main Display |
To customize the keyboard shortcut for switching monitors, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Windows Start button and select “Settings”.
- Click on “System” and then “Display”.
- Under “Multiple displays”, click on the “Advanced display settings” link.
- Click on the “Keyboard shortcuts” tab.
- Under “Switch between displays”, select a new keyboard shortcut from the drop-down menu.
Customize the Start Menu
The Start Menu is a crucial access point to your applications, files, and settings. To enhance its efficiency, consider the following customizations:
1. Adjust the Pinned Apps:
- Right-click on an app in the left pane and select “Pin to Start.”
- Drag apps from the pinned area to rearrange their order or unpin them by right-clicking and selecting “Unpin from Start.”
2. Create Tiles for Quick Access:
- Right-click on an app and select “Pin to Start.” Choose “Pin as tile” to create a tile with the app’s icon.
- You can resize and move tiles to optimize the Start Menu layout.
3. Adjust the Jump List:
- Right-click on an app in the left pane and hover over “More.” Select “Choose what to show in this list.”
- Customize the options by checking or unchecking recent files, frequently used items, and more.
4. Enable Quick Access to Settings:
- Right-click on the Start button and select “Settings.” Toggle the “Show settings in taskbar” option.
- Now, you can quickly access common settings by right-clicking on the taskbar’s Start button.
5. Customize Folders and Live Tiles:
- Drag apps into the Start Menu’s right pane to create folders.
- Right-click on a tile and select “More” > “Turn live tile off” to disable automatic updates.
6. Use Taskbar Pinning and Grouping:
The taskbar provides an alternative way to access frequently used apps. Here’s how to customize it:
| Task | Steps |
|---|---|
| Pin apps | Drag apps from the Start Menu or desktop to the taskbar. |
| Group apps | Drag an app onto another app on the taskbar to create a group. |
| Hide apps | Right-click on an app and select “Unpin from taskbar.” |
| Customize taskbar size | Right-click on the taskbar and select “Settings.” Adjust the “Taskbar height” option. |
Configure Task View
To customize Task View and make it more efficient, follow these steps:
In Settings, under System > Multitasking > Task View, you can adjust the settings for the Task View button on the taskbar. Change its position or hide it completely.
Click “Add a new desktop” at the bottom of Task View to create a new virtual desktop. You can switch between desktops using the Tab key or the mouse.
Right-click on a desktop to rename it or drag and drop desktops to rearrange their order.
Drag and drop windows to the desired virtual desktop to organize them according to their tasks or projects.
In Settings > System > Multitasking > Timeline, you can enable or disable the Timeline feature and choose how far back in time it should show recently used apps and activities.
Enhance your multitasking efficiency by using keyboard shortcuts:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Win + Tab | Open Task View |
| Win + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow | Switch between virtual desktops |
| Win + Ctrl + D | Create a new virtual desktop |
| Win + Ctrl + T | Move the current window to a new virtual desktop |
Adjust the Default Monitor Setting
If you have multiple monitors connected to your computer, Windows will automatically display the desktop across all of them. However, you can change the default monitor setting to specify which monitor is the primary display.
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click Appearance and Personalization.
- Click Display.
- Click on the monitor that you want to set as the default display.
- Click the Set as Default Display button.
In more detail, here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots on how to adjust the default monitor setting:
- Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu or by clicking on the icon in the taskbar.
- Click on the Appearance and Personalization section.
- Click on the Display link.
- You will see a list of all the monitors that are connected to your computer.
- Click on the monitor that you want to set as the default display.
- Click on the Set as Default Display button.
- The selected monitor will now be set as the default display.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Control Panel. |
| 2 | Click Appearance and Personalization. |
| 3 | Click Display. |
| 4 | Select the monitor you want to set as default. |
| 5 | Click Set as Default Display. |
How to Switch to Single Monitor Windows Quickly
If you’re using a multi-monitor setup but need to quickly switch to a single-monitor configuration, here’s a simple guide:
- Press Windows Key + P to open the “Project” menu.
- Select “PC screen only” or “Duplicate” from the options.
Note: The “Duplicate” option will mirror your primary display on the other monitors, but all monitors will still be technically considered “active.” For a true single-monitor setup, select “PC screen only.”
People Also Ask About How to Switch to Single Monitor Windows
How do I make one monitor my primary display?
Right-click on the desktop, select “Display Settings,” and drag and drop the monitors to arrange them as you prefer. Then, click “Identify” to ensure your primary display is set correctly.
Can you use two monitors with one computer?
Yes, you can use multiple monitors with one computer by connecting them using cables such as HDMI or DisplayPort. You can either extend or duplicate your display across the monitors.
How do I disable my secondary monitor?
Go to “Display Settings,” select the secondary monitor you want to disable, and click “Disconnect this display.” Alternatively, you can unplug the cable connecting the secondary monitor to your computer.
