How to Set Start Screen to Open on Last or Main Display when Pressing Windows key in Windows 8.1
Information
If you have more than on display for your PC, then this tutorial will show you how to set your Start screen to show only on your main display or any last display closed on when you press the Windows :winkey: key in Windows 8.1.
This setting will have no affect on what display Start opens on if you open your Start screen using any method (ex: taskbar or charms) other than pressing the :winkey: key.
This setting will have no affect on what display Start opens on if you open your Start screen using any method (ex: taskbar or charms) other than pressing the :winkey: key.
EXAMPLE: Start screen with "Start" or "Apps" view showing
OPTION ONE
Set to Show Start on Last or Main Display using "Taskbar and Navigation properties"
1. From your desktop, right click or press and hold on the taskbar, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)
2. In Taskbar and Navigation properties, click/tap on the Navigation tab, and do step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)
3. Only Show "Start Screen" on Main Display when Pressing Windows key
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Check the Show Start on the display I'm using when I press the Windows logo key box, and click/tap on OK.
4. To Show "Start Screen" on Last Display opened from when Pressing Windows key
A) Uncheck the Show Start on the display I'm using when I press the Windows logo key box, and click/tap on OK.
OPTION TWO
Set to Show Start on Last or Main Display using REG File
Note
The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage
MonitorOverride DWORD
0 = Show "Start Screen" on Last Display when Pressing Windows key
1 = Only Show "Start Screen" on Main Display when Pressing Windows key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage
MonitorOverride DWORD
0 = Show "Start Screen" on Last Display when Pressing Windows key
1 = Only Show "Start Screen" on Main Display when Pressing Windows key
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.
2. To Show "Start Screen" on Last Display opened from when Pressing Windows key
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Show_Start_on_Last_Display.reg
3. Only Show "Start Screen" on Main Display when Pressing Windows key
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Only_Show_Start_on_Main_Display.reg
4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Change the Main Display in Windows 7 and Windows 8
- Set to Show "Start" or "Apps" View when Opening Start Screen in Windows 8.1
- How to Completely Disable the Windows Key
- How to Open the "Start" Screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
- How to Open the "Apps" Screen in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
- How to Go to Desktop or Start when You Sign in or Close Apps in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Download a "Start" Screen Shortcut in Windows 8
- How to Enable or Disable Start Screen Animation in Windows 8 and 8.1
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