Switching Primary and Secondary Monitors

The easiest way to switch your primary and secondary monitors is by switching the cables running to your 2 monitors.

You can also switch your primary and second monitors in Windows. There are different ways to do this depending on your video card (ATI, nVidia, etc.). Call your video card manufacturer to get help switching your primary and secondary monitor if the following suggestions don't apply to your card. nVidia specifically allows you to keep your taskbar and icons on the secondary monitor.

To change the primary and secondary monitor in Windows (many graphic cards disable this windows switching)

Go to Start Menu->Control Panel. Either click on "Display" if present or "Appearance and Themes" then "Display" (if you are in category view). Click on the "Settings" tab. Click the monitor square with a large "2" on it, or choose the display 2 from the Display: drop down. Click the "Use this device as the primary monitor" checkbox. Press "Apply" to apply your change. If the "Use this device as the primary monitor" checkbox is already checked, choose the other monitor and click "Use this device as the primary monitor. If the "Use this device as the primary monitor" checkbox is grayed out (not selectable) you cannot use this standard method. You may have graphics card incapable of switching the primary and secondary monitor (for instance in laptops) or your graphics driver may have an alternate method (see the ATI method below if you have an ATI card).

To change the primary and secondary monitor on an ATI card

Go to Start Menu->Control Panel. Either click on "Display" if present or "Appearance and Themes" then "Display" (if you are in category view). Click on the "Settings" tab. Click "Advanced". Click the "ATI Displays" tab (if this tab is not present you should update your video drivers). Switch the monitors labeled "1" and "2" by clicking the "1" where the "2" is selected or vice versa. Press "Apply" to apply your change.