How to Move a Game to Another Monitor

Yes, you can move a game to another monitor with a few clicks. Learning how to move a game to another monitor is a simple trick that can make your gaming setup a lot better.

It’s a common problem. You launch your favorite game, but it pops up on the wrong screen. This can be really annoying, especially if your main monitor is the nicer one.

I’ve dealt with this issue many times myself. Over the years, I’ve found several reliable ways to fix it. The good news is that you don’t need to be a computer expert.

This guide will show you all the simple methods. We’ll cover in-game settings, Windows shortcuts, and even some software tools. You’ll be gaming on the right screen in no time.

Why You Need to Know How to Move a Game to Another Monitor

Knowing how to move a game to another monitor is a key PC skill. It saves you from a lot of headaches and wasted time. You won’t have to quit and restart your game over and over.

Maybe you just got a new, faster monitor for gaming. You want your games to run on that one, not your old side screen. Moving the game lets you use your new gear right away.

Sometimes, you might be streaming or recording. You need the game on one monitor and your chat or software on another. Setting this up correctly makes your whole process smoother.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many people use multiple screens for work and play. It’s a common setup that needs managing. Knowing how to move a game to another monitor is part of that.

It also helps with simple comfort. If your main monitor is directly in front of you, that’s where the game should be. You shouldn’t have to twist your neck to play.

Finally, it gives you control. Your computer should do what you want. Learning this skill puts you back in the driver’s seat for your own setup.

The Easiest Way: Using In-Game Display Settings

The first place to check is inside the game itself. Most modern games have a video or display settings menu. This is often the simplest way to learn how to move a game to another monitor.

Open the game’s settings. Look for a section called “Video,” “Graphics,” or “Display.” Inside, you should see a setting for “Monitor,” “Display,” or “Screen.” It will usually have a drop-down list.

That list will show all the monitors connected to your PC. It might say “Display 1” or “Monitor 2.” You need to figure out which number is your target screen. Just pick a different one from the list and apply the change.

The game will likely restart or flicker. Then it should appear on the new monitor you selected. If it doesn’t work, try changing the game’s “Window Mode” to “Fullscreen” first. Sometimes borderless windowed mode can cause issues.

I use this method for games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring. It’s very reliable. It’s my first step whenever I need to move a game to another monitor after an update.

Remember to also check the game’s resolution setting. Make sure it matches your monitor’s best resolution. This ensures the game looks sharp and runs well on its new screen.

Using Windows Keyboard Shortcuts to Move Your Game

If the game’s settings don’t work, try a Windows shortcut. This is a fast trick that doesn’t require any menus. It’s perfect for when you’re already in the game and need a quick fix.

First, make sure the game window is “in focus.” Click on it if you need to. Then, hold down the Windows Key + Shift on your keyboard. While holding those, press either the Left Arrow or Right Arrow key.

This hotkey tells Windows to move the active window to the next monitor. Keep pressing the arrow key until the game jumps to the screen you want. It might take a couple of tries if you have more than two monitors.

This method works best if the game is in “Windowed” or “Borderless Windowed” mode. If the game is in true “Fullscreen” mode, the shortcut might not work. You may need to alt-tab out, change the mode in settings, and then try.

I use this shortcut all the time. It’s my go-to method for moving a Discord window or a web browser. For games, it’s a lifesaver when the in-game settings are being stubborn.

It’s a good idea to practice this shortcut on a regular program first. Open Notepad and try moving it between screens. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll use it constantly.

How to Set Your Primary Monitor in Windows

Sometimes, the problem is that Windows is confused. It thinks your second monitor is the main one. You can fix this by telling Windows which screen is truly number one.

Right-click on your desktop and select “Display settings.” You’ll see a diagram of your monitors at the top. Each will be labeled “1” and “2.” Click on the monitor you want to be your main gaming screen.

Scroll down in the settings menu. Find the checkbox that says “Make this my main display.” Check that box. This tells Windows and most games to open on that screen by default.

You might need to log out of Windows or restart your PC for this to fully take effect. After you do, new games should launch on the correct monitor. This is a set-it-and-forget-it solution.

The Microsoft Support site has more details on display settings. It’s a good resource if you run into more complex issues with monitor arrangement.

Remember, this changes where everything opens, not just games. Your taskbar and start menu will move to the new primary monitor too. Make sure you’re okay with that before you confirm the change.

Forcing a Game to a Specific Monitor with Graphics Card Software

Your graphics card has its own control panel. Both NVIDIA and AMD offer powerful software. You can use it to force games to use a certain monitor every time.

For NVIDIA, open the “NVIDIA Control Panel.” Go to “Display” and then “Set up multiple displays.” You can also go to “Manage 3D settings” and find a program list. You can set preferences for each game.

For AMD, open “AMD Radeon Software.” Go to the “Gaming” tab and select your game. Look for display or GPU workload options. You can often assign a game to a specific GPU, which can tie it to a monitor.

This method is more advanced. It’s great for when a game absolutely refuses to listen to other settings. You’re giving a direct order to your graphics hardware.

I had to do this with an older game that had broken display settings. The NVIDIA control panel let me lock it to my center monitor. It worked perfectly after that.

Be careful not to change global 3D settings by mistake. You only want to change the settings for the one specific game. Changing global settings can affect the performance of everything else on your PC.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Move a Game to Another Monitor

Let’s walk through the process from start to finish. Follow these steps in order. You’ll likely find a solution by step three or four.

Step 1: Check In-Game Settings. Launch the game. Go to Video/Display settings. Look for the monitor selection dropdown. Pick your desired monitor and apply. This is how to move a game to another monitor in the simplest way.

Step 2: Try the Windows Shortcut. If the game is in windowed mode, press Win + Shift + Arrow Key. Press the left or right arrow until it moves. This is the quickest fix if the game is already running.

Step 3: Set Your Primary Monitor. Exit the game. Right-click your desktop and open Display settings. Click the monitor you want games on. Check “Make this my main display.” Restart your PC.

Step 4: Use Graphics Card Software. Open your NVIDIA or AMD control panel. Find the game in the program settings. Look for an option to assign it to a specific display or GPU. Save the profile.

Step 5: Change the Game’s Launch Options (Steam). For Steam games, right-click the game in your library. Go to Properties. In the “Launch Options” box, you can sometimes add commands like “-windowed -w 1920 -h 1080” to force a window on a certain screen.

Step 6: Use Third-Party Software. As a last resort, tools like “DisplayFusion” or “Actual Multiple Monitors” offer more control. They have features to send windows to specific monitors with custom hotkeys.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Sometimes, things don’t go smoothly. Here are common issues and their fixes. I’ve run into most of these myself over the years.

Problem: The game opens between two monitors (spanning). This usually means the game’s resolution is set too high. Go into the game’s video settings. Lower the resolution to match just one of your monitors. Then try moving it again.

Problem: The Windows shortcut (Win+Shift+Arrow) does nothing. This means the game is in exclusive fullscreen mode. You need to alt-tab out, change the game to “Windowed” or “Borderless” mode first. Then the shortcut will work.

Problem: The game always reverts to the wrong monitor. Some games save the monitor setting in a config file. You might need to find that file, edit it, and save it as “read-only.” Search online for “[Game Name] config file location.”

Problem: Moving the game causes bad performance or stuttering. This can happen if you move a game to a monitor connected to a different GPU (like your motherboard’s port). Make sure all your gaming monitors are plugged into your dedicated graphics card.

Problem: The second monitor is not detected in the game’s settings. First, make sure Windows itself sees the monitor. If it does, try updating your graphics drivers. Old drivers often cause detection issues with games.

The Federal Communications Commission notes that display technology keeps changing. Keeping your drivers updated is key for compatibility with new games and monitors.

Tips for a Smooth Multi-Monitor Gaming Setup

Setting things up right from the start prevents problems. Here are my top tips for a hassle-free experience. They make learning how to move a game to another monitor much easier.

First, always set your best gaming monitor as the “Primary Display” in Windows. Do this before you install any games. Most games will default to opening on monitor number one.

Use identical monitors if you can. Having the same resolution and refresh rate on all screens avoids weird scaling issues. Games won’t get confused when switching between them.

Label your monitor cables. It sounds silly, but knowing which HDMI or DisplayPort cable goes to which monitor helps. You can trace problems faster if a screen goes black or acts up.

Create different Windows “Profiles” for different tasks. You might have a “Gaming” profile where only your main monitor is active. You can have a “Work” profile with all three screens on. Switching profiles can be easier than moving individual windows.

Invest in a good monitor arm or stand. It lets you position your screens perfectly. When monitors are physically aligned, it feels more natural when you move windows between them.

Finally, be patient with older games. They were not designed for multi-monitor setups. You might need to use a community patch or a special tool to get them working right on a modern screen.

When Moving a Game to Another Monitor is Essential

There are specific situations where this skill is not just handy, but necessary. Knowing how to move a game to another monitor can save your gaming session.

Live streaming is a big one. You need the game on one screen for capture. Your streaming software, chat, and alerts need to be on another screen. Setting this up correctly is crucial for a professional stream.

Competitive gaming often uses a special setup. Some players use a vertical monitor for strategy maps or chat. They need the main game on their high-refresh-rate center screen. Moving the game to the right place is part of their pre-match routine.

If you have a monitor with special features, you want games there. This could be a monitor with G-Sync or FreeSync for smoother gameplay. Or it could be an ultra-wide screen for a more immersive view. The game needs to be on that specific screen to use those features.

Sometimes, a monitor might break or start acting weird. You need to quickly shift all your work and games to a backup screen. Knowing the fast methods to move a game to another monitor gets you back in action fast.

According to resources from USA.gov on technology use, more people are working and playing from home. A flexible multi-screen setup is key for this modern lifestyle. Managing where your windows go is a core part of that skill set.

Finally, it’s about simple convenience. You bought the monitors to use them. You should be able to put any window, especially your game, exactly where you want it. Taking control of this feels great.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I move a game to another monitor if it’s stuck in fullscreen?

First, try pressing Alt+Enter. This often switches a game from fullscreen to windowed mode. Once it’s in a window, you can drag it with your mouse or use the Windows shortcut (Win+Shift+Arrow) to move it.

Why won’t my game let me choose a different monitor in settings?

This usually means your graphics drivers are out of date. Update your NVIDIA or AMD drivers from their official websites. Also, make sure Windows is fully updated, as this can fix display detection issues.

Can I set a game to always open on my second monitor?

Yes, you can. The best way is to use your graphics card control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Software). Create a profile for that specific game and set it to use your second monitor. It should remember this setting for next time.