App starting on 2nd screen even though screen now inactive


RFS

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I have a setup with 2 screens. I use the second screen as and when needed and not permanently. For example, I will sometimes watch a sports program on the second screen in the evening when doing something else on the main screen. Having used the second screen, I always use Windows + P to deactivate before switching off.

The problem I have is that if I move an app to the second screen, it will then in future always expect to start on that screen. But this happens even though the second screen is inactive at the time. The app starts and its icon shows this on the taskbar. I have to switch on the second screen, activate it with Windows + P, and if required move the app back.

If I have only one screen active, how do I ensure it always start on this screen regardless?
 

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    Windows 11 Home
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    PC/Desktop
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    Self-build
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    Intel I3-10100
    Motherboard
    MSI H410M-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 1030
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    Motherboard default
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    Philips 27 inch
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    1920x1080
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  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel i3-8100
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z370 D3
    Memory
    16 Gb
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GT 720
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Seagate 2 Tb HDD
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    ATX 450W
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    Microsoft
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A partial solution. If I hover over the icon on the task bar to display the preview, I can then right clock on it and select "maximise". The screen now jumps to the main window. But if I minimize it again, it jumps back to the inactive screen which is on my left, and there's a thin blue line down the edge of the screen.

Seems this app is determined to use the second screen regardless.....
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel I3-10100
    Motherboard
    MSI H410M-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 1030
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 970 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Samsung QVO 870 SATA SSD 2 Tb
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Microsoft Office 2021 Plus
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel i3-8100
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z370 D3
    Memory
    16 Gb
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GT 720
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Seagate 2 Tb HDD
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I can replicate this easily with two screens plugged in, one not even on at boot time.
If I turn the 'main' display off at any time (second display not having been turned on at all at this point, but plugged in) then turn the 'main' screen back on later (without a restart in between) then most apps such as Afterburner, Windows Mail, notepad and even the Settings page will open on the not in use screen 80%+ of the time.
This is despite the 'main' monitor being set as the default in both Windows display settings and Nvidia's driver. It seems it might be to do with the monitor connection type as Windows tends to prioritise HDMI over DP (my setup), not tested by me yet though.
If the errant app starts on the second inactive screen just hover over it's taskbar entry until a preview window pops up then right click it and choose restore (if needed, to un maximise a window) or just move, hold down the right or left cursor key depending on monitor layout to move the app back onto the active screen and press enter.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2, build: 22621.521
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Scan 3XS Custom 1700
    CPU
    Intel i7-12700K 3.6GHz Base (5.0GHz Turbo)
    Motherboard
    Asus ProArt Creator B660 D4
    Memory
    64GB DDR 3600Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Tuff RTX 3080 10GB OC
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte G32QC 32inch 16:9 curved @2560 x 1440p 165Hz Freesync Premium Pro/ Dell SE2422H 24inch 16:9 1920 x 1080p 75Hz Freesync
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p & 1920 x 1080p
    Hard Drives
    WD SN570 1TB NVME (Boot), Samsung 870QVO 1TB (SSD), SanDisk 3D Ultra 500Gb (SSD) x2, Seagate 3Tb Expansion Desk (Ext HDD), 2x Toshiba 1Tb P300 (Ext HDD)
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000X Modular
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Airflow Desktop
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H150i RGB Pro XT 360mm Liquid Cooler, 3 x 120mm fans, 1x Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    800Mbs
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
A partial solution. If I hover over the icon on the task bar to display the preview, I can then right clock on it and select "maximise". The screen now jumps to the main window. But if I minimize it again, it jumps back to the inactive screen which is on my left, and there's a thin blue line down the edge of the screen.

Seems this app is determined to use the second screen regardless.....

I can replicate this easily with two screens plugged in, one not even on at boot time.
If I turn the 'main' display off at any time (second display not having been turned on at all at this point, but plugged in) then turn the 'main' screen back on later (without a restart in between) then most apps such as Afterburner, Windows Mail, notepad and even the Settings page will open on the not in use screen 80%+ of the time.
This is despite the 'main' monitor being set as the default in both Windows display settings and Nvidia's driver. It seems it might be to do with the monitor connection type as Windows tends to prioritise HDMI over DP (my setup), not tested by me yet though.
If the errant app starts on the second inactive screen just hover over it's taskbar entry until a preview window pops up then right click it and choose restore (if needed, to un maximise a window) or just move, hold down the right or left cursor key depending on monitor layout to move the app back onto the active screen and press enter.




I had a similar problem. If I plugged the DELL into any DP connector but the one marked with the GREEN dot, I would get the BIOS splash screen on the TV and the Windows logon screen on the DELL.

Didn't matter if the TV was on or not.
Happened on W10 and W11


000000 VID Card.png



As for apps with multiple screens... whatever screen the app was on when you "closed" the app, is the screen that it will appear on when you next open the app.
This is normal.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦22631.3374 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
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    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
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    Firefox (latest)
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    Bitdefender Internet Security
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    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
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    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
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    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
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    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
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    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
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    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
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    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
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    300/300
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    Firefox 3.x ??
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    Symantec (Norton)
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    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
Hi,
Yeah green dot is the main display port.
Other two are for second/ third monitors.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-7-10-11Pro's
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer 17" Nitro 7840sn/ 2x16gb 5600c40/ 4060/ stock 1tb-os/ 4tb sn850x
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    10900k & 9940x & 5930k
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    z490-Apex & x299-Apex & x99-Sabertooth
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    Trident-Z Royal 4000c16 2x16gb & Trident-Z 3600c16 4x8gb & 3200c14 4x8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Titan Xp & 1080ti FTW3 & evga 980ti gaming
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    Onboard Realtek x3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24"/ 3rd LG 43" series
    Screen Resolution
    1920-1080 not sure what the t.v is besides 43" class scales from 1920-1080 perfectly
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    2-WD-sn850x 4tb/ 970evo+500gb/ 980 pro 2tb.
    PSU
    1000p2 & 1200p2 & 850p2
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    D450 x2 & 1 Test bench in cherry Entertainment center
    Cooling
    Custom water loops x3 with 2x mora 360mm rads only 980ti gaming air cooled
    Keyboard
    G710+x3
    Mouse
    Redragon x3
    Internet Speed
    xfinity gigabyte
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    mbam pro
Thanks for your tips.

Still not got a real solution. I have two graphics cards in my PC: Nvidia GT1030 for the main display, and the on-board Intel 630 for the secondary display. Tried just now disabling the Intel, then uninstalling it and rebooting, but still the darn app tries to start on the inactive screen.

Even if I maximise the screen to bring it back to main display and then close it from there, it still starts next time on the wrong screen.

Guess I will have to live with for now - at least I have a workaround.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel I3-10100
    Motherboard
    MSI H410M-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 1030
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 970 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Samsung QVO 870 SATA SSD 2 Tb
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Microsoft Office 2021 Plus
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel i3-8100
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z370 D3
    Memory
    16 Gb
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GT 720
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Seagate 2 Tb HDD
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Yep, as with OP, the apps refuse to obey the rules.
I have never opened Notepad on the second (HDMI) screen, never right-clicked a .ini or .cfg file to open it on second screen, yet occasionally Notepad will open on the second screen, even if it hasn't been switched on for several days and over several cold starts, restarts etc.
Other apps do the same, except for any games, Libre Office, GIMP and blender, they have always opened on the main (DP) screen as long as they were last opened there and not dragged to second screen for whatever reason and closed there.
Supposedly holding CTRL when clicking the close button should make the window/ app remember it's last opened position, size etc, I have never found it to work though.
With three screens it becomes more of a lottery as to where an app will appear, 1 screen on HDMI & 1 on DP on GPU and 3rd on iGPU, apps can appear on any screen, regardless of physical or settings layout, again though the apps that do behave also do so in a three display setup.
Also my BIOS and login screens always display on the DP (main) monitor, regardless of whether the other screens are on or not at boot/ restart.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2, build: 22621.521
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Scan 3XS Custom 1700
    CPU
    Intel i7-12700K 3.6GHz Base (5.0GHz Turbo)
    Motherboard
    Asus ProArt Creator B660 D4
    Memory
    64GB DDR 3600Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Tuff RTX 3080 10GB OC
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte G32QC 32inch 16:9 curved @2560 x 1440p 165Hz Freesync Premium Pro/ Dell SE2422H 24inch 16:9 1920 x 1080p 75Hz Freesync
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p & 1920 x 1080p
    Hard Drives
    WD SN570 1TB NVME (Boot), Samsung 870QVO 1TB (SSD), SanDisk 3D Ultra 500Gb (SSD) x2, Seagate 3Tb Expansion Desk (Ext HDD), 2x Toshiba 1Tb P300 (Ext HDD)
    PSU
    Corsair RM1000X Modular
    Case
    Corsair 4000D Airflow Desktop
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H150i RGB Pro XT 360mm Liquid Cooler, 3 x 120mm fans, 1x Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    800Mbs
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes

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