Windows – How does windows decide which monitor to display a window on and how can I control it

multiple-monitorswindows 7

I have a three monitor setup. Two 24" LCDs (1x DVI connection, 1x Mini DP), and an audio receiver over HDMI (which outputs through to a plasma TV).

In my everyday use of the computer, I essentially have three monitors running at once — however, the third "monitor" — the receiver — I rarely ever see, as the TV is usually off. Regardless, the receiver still holds its own monitor that stays up with its own desktop, albeit invisible to my eyes.

The problem: When I turn off either LCD (primary or non-primary), after turning it back on, all of my windows and folders have jumped to the receiver's desktop. I then either have to turn the TV on to see that desktop and drag everything off, or use a keyboard shortcut for a program I use (Actual Window Manager) where I will alt-tab to each window, press the shortcut, and have it jump through the monitors back to my main one.

I suppose the essence of the question is — how does Windows 7 decide which monitor to bring everything to when a primary monitor turns off? Or, how does Windows decide which non-primary to choose as the "new" primary monitor?

EDIT
Is it possible to change a monitor's number in the ordering?

Best Answer

I know the exact issue you are having. Here is why Windows chooses your TV when you turn off the two monitors, or have all 3 off.

Without going into too much depth about how graphics cards and displays communicate, basically your receiver that the TV is plugged into is constantly sending an 'Active' signal to your HDMI. Normally, you turn off a monitor, and the graphics card knows, and it's all honkey dory. But, your graphics card isn't reading the 'Active' signal from your TV, its actually getting it from the receiver.

So, regardless if your TV is on or off, your computer thinks that it is indeed turned on, so it keeps sending it data. This doesn't change the primary monitor, but, if your HDMI cable is monitor #2, I'm and your primary is #1, then Windows is most likely dumping the windows onto #2 from #1 when shut off. And your computer thinks your TV is on, because it doesn't know better due to the receiver. Make sense?

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