Key Takeaways:

  • The primary monitor is the default main monitor where Windows displays everything.
  • Windows allows you to toggle between primary and secondary monitors as per your wish.
  • You can connect multiple external displays to a single CPU and just have one primary display in Windows 10.

Windows 10 allows you to use multiple monitors at once. You can connect multiple monitors to a single CPU and enjoy entertainment on one and work on others. It is essential to know how to change primary monitor so that you can shuffle between the screens when the need arises.

Changing the main monitor is not rocket science, and anyone with or without technical expertise can do it easily. You can also use the laptop monitor as your second monitor if you are short of a monitor to connect to your CPU.

How to Change Primary Monitor (Windows 10)?

You can either use the Settings app or graphics card control panel to change the primary monitor in Windows 10. If you have Intel or any other graphics card, using the Settings app is a better option. In the case of Nvidia or AMD, you can use their control panel interface to change the main monitor. So, let’s see how to change primary monitor in Windows 10.

1. Use the Settings App

The simplest way to change the primary monitor is to use the Windows Settings app and change the primary display setting.

Step 1: Press Windows key + I to open the “Settings app” and go to the “System” section.

Click on System for how to change primary monitor
Click on System

Step 2: In the System settings window, go to “Display” from the left panel.

Alternatively, right-click on the empty space on the Desktop and click on “Display settings” from the context menu.

Open Display settings for how to change primary monitor
Open Display settings

Step 3: There will be multiple displays there. Click on the one you want as a primary screen and scroll down to the Multiple displays section. Then check the checkbox next to “Make this my main display.”

Now, you have a different primary display. If the Make this my main display is grayed out, the selected monitor is already set as the primary display.

You now know how to change primary monitor in Windows 10 and make the secondary monitor the main one.

2. Use Nvidia Control Panel

If you have an Nvidia graphics card, you can use its control panel to change the primary monitor in Windows 10.

Step 1: Search for the “Nvidia Control Panel” in the search box on the taskbar and open the same from the search results.

Step 2: In the Nvidia Control Panel’s left panel, click on “Set up multiple displays” under “Display.”  

Step 3: Now, right-click on the display number you want to make as primary and select “Make primary.”

The display which has (*) asterisk is the current monitor.

Step 4: Click on “Apply” to save the changes.

Step 5: Lastly, click on “Yes” to confirm the changes you applied

You can now set any monitor to the primary display. The non-Nvidia users can use the Settings app.

3. Use AMD Radeon Settings

Using the AMD Radeon Settings to change the primary monitor display is a bit complicated. However, if you follow the steps correctly, you can do that easily.

Step 1: Right-click on the Desktop and click on “AMD Radeon Settings” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can search for it in the Start menu search bar and open it from there.

Step 2: In the AMD Radeon Settings, click on “Eyefinity” at the top right corner of the window.

Step 3: Next, click on “Quick Setup” to create a display group.

Step 4: Click on “Arrange Displays” to adjust your monitor as per your requirements.

Step 5: Close the AMD Radeon Settings window, and changes will be automatically saved.

You can easily rearrange the display again as per your requirements using AMD Radeon Settings.

Final Thoughts On How To Change Primary Monitor

Once you know how to change primary monitor in Windows 10, you can shuffle between your secondary display external monitor screens as much as you want. In addition, the PCs with the Nvidia and AMD graphics driver can use their respective control panels to change the primary monitor.

However, if you are not comfortable with the control panel, you can use the Windows Settings app to change the primary monitor on your computer. The article explains all the possible ways to change the primary monitor in Windows 10. You can go through all of them and then choose one way you feel comfortable.