Multi Monitor Setup

Thorenzz · Apr 21, 2026

Does anyone know the way to show Icons on desktop on all 4 monitors (not just on primary) I use in extended mode?

Thanks.

Edwin · Apr 21, 2026

Thorenzz said:
Does anyone know the way to show Icons on desktop on all 4 monitors (not just on primary) I use in extended mode?

- What kind of icons, folders, shortcuts, other?
- If you are using Extended Mode, what's the point?
- Without installing some 3rd party app, I'd say just copy them.

Thorenzz · Apr 21, 2026

Its mostly shortcuts. But dont like the copy way as u need to have different name, and when i disconnect all 3 screens from my laptop it makes a hell of a mess from my desktop as all the icons from 3 monitors will move to laptop screen.

Edwin · Apr 21, 2026

Thorenzz said:
Its mostly shortcuts. But dont like the copy way as u need to have different name, and when i disconnect all 3 screens from my laptop it makes a hell of a mess from my desktop as all the icons from 3 monitors will move to laptop screen.

Ah..., I don't know of any way to accomplish that natively.

Thorenzz · Apr 21, 2026

I dont mind 3rd party software, but cant find anything.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 21, 2026

I briefly tinkered with this, but I don't see any way to simply have Windows duplicate the icons on the primary screen to other attached screens. I'm guessing this isn't a common need.

Edwin · Apr 21, 2026

The only way I see this being remotely doable is to give the auxiliary shortcuts, (the copies), hidden prefixes, (Alt255), then make them Hidden when you detach the external monitors...
(Probably too much of a p-i-t-a though!!!)

Thorenzz · Apr 22, 2026

Edwin said:
The only way I see this being remotely doable is to give the auxiliary shortcuts, (the copies), hidden prefixes, (Alt255), then make them Hidden when you detach the external monitors...
(Probably too much of a p-i-t-a though!!!)

View attachment 169523

Yeah that is too much to mess around. Same that there isnt any 3rd party app

Edwin · Apr 22, 2026

Thorenzz said:
Shame that there isn't any 3rd party app

What about an Application/Folder launcher that you could invoke from a right click or middle-click menu?
QTTabBar:

badrobot · Apr 22, 2026

When you are in extended mode, you virtually only have one screen spread across 3 displays and you have to set the primary monitor where the icons shoul be shown by default when you boot up. The best option you have is to copy those shortcuts inside a folder that you can move around on any display.

Thorenzz · Apr 25, 2026

badrobot said:
When you are in extended mode, you virtually only have one screen spread across 3 displays and you have to set the primary monitor where the icons shoul be shown by default when you boot up. The best option you have is to copy those shortcuts inside a folder that you can move around on any display.

I know how it works. My problem is exactly that....the way it works. I am using 4 screens including laptop screen where 3 screens are connected too. Only at work. So if i copy all the icons, then when i take my laptop home, my desktop will be absolute mess without additional 3 screens, Will try Edwins sugestion and see how i like it.

siliconbeaver · Apr 25, 2026

let me know when you have the solution. my office has a similar issue when running multi-monitor.

Edwin · Apr 25, 2026

Thorenzz said:
I know how it works. My problem is exactly that....the way it works. I am using 4 screens including laptop screen where 3 screens are connected too. Only at work. So if i copy all the icons, then when i take my laptop home, my desktop will be absolute mess without additional 3 screens, Will try Edwins sugestion and see how i like it.

I'm beginning to see the light..., you would like the work related icons to stay at work, correct?

Thorenzz · Apr 25, 2026

Edwin said:
I'm beginning to see the light..., you would like the work related icons to stay at work, correct?

No, ideally i want exactly same icons and layout on all screens at the same time. so when i have something open on main screen i can quickly use icons from my desktop on another monitor when i want to open something else on that monitor. without minimizing all the stuff on Primary screens where desktop icons are. I am surprised that this doesnt bother everyone when using multimonitor setup. I am sure MS could make this possible, but probably newer wil.

motoman · Apr 25, 2026

The best you can do is set it to show taskbar on all screens. Then you can click start and open from your pinned section. I know the struggle, I've been using 4 screens for years.

Thorenzz · Apr 25, 2026

motoman said:
The best you can do is set it to show taskbar on all screens. Then you can click start and open from your pinned section. I know the struggle, I've been using 4 screens for years.

Yeah i am doing that too. Its just really annoying that option we miss is not available natively in Win. May be worth a shot to submit it to feedback hub

Edwin · Apr 25, 2026

Thorenzz said:
Its just really annoying that option we miss is not available natively in Win.

I just came to realize that Windows will remember individual wallpaper settings per monitor, after disconnect/reconnect..., so why not shortcuts and icons!?!?!?

badrobot · Apr 25, 2026

Thorenzz said:
No, ideally i want exactly same icons and layout on all screens at the same time. so when i have something open on main screen i can quickly use icons from my desktop on another monitor when i want to open something else on that monitor. without minimizing all the stuff on Primary screens where desktop icons are. I am surprised that this doesnt bother everyone when using multimonitor setup. I am sure MS could make this possible, but probably newer wil.

I do the exact opposite of what you want. I never want any shorcuts on my desktop. I have all my shortcuts in a folder which I can drag around on any screen and open apps from there.

dacrone · Apr 25, 2026

Code:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

new DWORD = NoDispBackgroundPage
value = 1
reboot

if that doesnt work, you can use DeskLock. just create shortcuts to all of your primary display's desktop links and place them on your other monitors in the desired layout, then run desktop and it should prevent them from being moved (i believe it will work even when the display is disconnected)...

DeskLock – Skrommel's One Hour Software

www.dcmembers.com

Edwin · Apr 25, 2026

I think @Thorenzz would like to have instant access to any and all of his Desktop shortcuts and folders from any screen, regardless of what window is completely covering some other screen, and, preferably not copying them all that makes a mess on the Laptop screen when he disconnects the external monitors.
I think a right click menu of some sort is his best bet, similar to what I posted in #9.

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