Main Display - Change in Windows 8

How to Change Your Main Display in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
If you have more than one display connected to your PC, then this tutorial will show you how to make any display your main display in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Note   Note
You can also drag and drop the monitors to arrange them in the order you want them to display.





OPTION ONE

To Change Your Main Display in Screen Resolution Settings


1. Do step 2 or 3 below for how you would like to open Screen Resolution.​
2. Right click or press and hold on an empty area on your desktop, click/tap on Screen resolution, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​
Windows-8_Main_Display-1.jpg
3. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Display icon.​
A) Click/tap on the Change display settings link in the left pane, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)​
Display-1.jpg
4. At the top, you will see your current main display with the small window and notification area icons in the lower left corner, and the "This is currently your main display" indication. (see screenshot below)​
Windows-8_Main_Display-2.jpg
5. At the top, click/tap on the display that you want to make your main display, check the Make this my main display box, and click/tap on OK to apply. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: If you do not know which display is which, then you can click/tap on the Identity button to display the number on your display(s) to see.​
Windows-8_Main_Display-3.jpg






OPTION TWO

To Change Your Main Display in PC Settings


NOTE: This option is only available in Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.
1. Open PC settings, and click/tap on PC & devices on the left side. (see screenshot below)​
Main_Display_PC_settings-1.jpg
2. Click/tap on Display on the left side of PC & devices. (see screenshot below)​
Main_Display_PC_settings-2.jpg
3. At the top on the right side, select a display (ex: monitor) that you want to make your main display. (see screenshot below step 2)​
NOTE: If needed, you can click/tap on the Identify link to have the display number briefly appear on each display to help know which one to select.​
4. On the right side, check the Make this my main display box, and click/tap on the Apply button. (see screenshot below step 2)​
Note   Note
If you see this below, then it means that the currently selected display is already set as your main display.

Note   Note

Note.jpg

5. When finished, you can close PC settings if you like.​


That's it,
Shawn


 

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Last edited:
My question is how do you change the number associated to a display? I asked because my monitor is #2 (should be #1) and my tv is #1 (should be #2). Normally it wouldn't bother me but when you go to Devices -> Project on the charms bar, the option "PC screen only" is hardcoded to display #1, which in my case is incorrect because it's my tv and not pc monitor. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hello Meth,

The number is based on the connection to the graphics card.

See if disconnecting the TV completely, delete the TV , shut down the PC, change the monitor to be connected to another port on the graphics card, then turn on the PC will have the monitor as 1 again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Have you already tried swapping the same connections on the graphics card between the two?

What type of connections are they?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Yes I have. I've got 1 hdmi (the one going to the tv and set as #1) and 2 dvi ports for the monitor (#2). I've tried switching between the 2 dvi ports to no avail.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
What brand is your graphics?

There may be a setting in it's control panel that may allow you to change the display numbers, or at least to delete them to start over.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
It's an asus r9 270 (just got it). I haven't found any setting in the control panels to change the "identify" number of a display (windows & ccc). Deleting everything and just starting off with the main monitor is fine (it's set to #1). But as soon as I plug in the hdmi, that becomes #1 and the monitor (dvi) is #2.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Does the monitor (PC screen) revert back to #1 when the TV is not connected?

For now, instead of selecting to project to "PC screen only" for the wrong #1, selecting "Second screen only" should work for your PC screen then since that will be for #2.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
If the hdmi cable is unplugged, yes it reverts to #1. But as soon as it's plugged back in, PC monitor goes to #2. I have been using "Second screen only" for the PC monitor, but this is what I'm trying to avoid having to do.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
If the hdmi cable is unplugged, yes it reverts to #1. But as soon as it's plugged back in, PC monitor goes to #2. I have been using "Second screen only" for the PC monitor, but this is what I'm trying to avoid having to do.


Yeah, it was just for a workaround for now.

Does the TV have a DVI or DisplayPort connection on it?

If so, then you might see how it does with the TV connected using one of those to the a DVI or DisplayPort of the graphics card.

If not, then you might try an HDMI to DVI adapter to connect the HDMI cable from the TV to the adapter, then connect the adapter to the #2 DVI port on the graphics card.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I'd have to try the adapter and see what happens. Hopefully it will still send 5.1 audio. I'll let you know.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I tried the dvi->hdmi adapter and still the same result. I guess it's because even if it's a different port, it's still the same monitor on the other end. I hate these little annoyances which seems like can't be fixed unless you reformat.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
If able, try different connections and ports to see if you may get luck with one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I've tried different ports with the same outcome. Seems like I'm out of luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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