How to Move a Window to Another Monitor? (The Complete Guide)

Lindsay Hayes

You have two options if you're trying to move a window across multiple monitors. However, first, you want to turn "Extend" mode on, which you can do by pressing the Windows key + "P". After this, simply drag windows off the border of one of the monitors to the other. You can also use the Windows + Shift + Right Arrow or Left Arrow keyboard shortcut.

When my nephew started streaming, I helped him set up a second monitor. He called me about a day after, asking how to move a window to another monitor. I explained it to him over the phone, and told him about the two methods he could use.

If you have also been wondering how to move a window to another monitor, this is the guide for you. Let's get right into everything you need to know.

Contents

How Do I Move a Window from One Monitor to Another in Windows?

Computer setups with multiple displays are more common today than they have ever been. As a result, it can be helpful to know how to move windows across two or more monitors.

Programmer Working with Multiple Devices

Turn On Extend Mode First

Before you can even get into moving windows to your other monitor, you will need to make sure that your "Project" setting is set to "Extend".

Don't worry, you can literally get this done in just a few moves, no matter where you are in Windows.

  1. Press Windows key + "P". This will open the Project menu as a sidebar.
  2. Click "Extend", and that's it!

The other options will either turn off one monitor or have the two monitors display the same content. The only display mode that will give you extra screen real estate is "Extend", which is why you need it enabled.

Method 1: Using the Mouse Drag

The first method I'll show you for moving windows across multiple monitors is using the drag-and-drop method.

This is the method most people use because of how straightforward it is.

All you need to do is click and hold on the title bar of the window that you want to move to the other monitor, and drag it in the direction of the second monitor until the window reaches the edge of the screen.

Keep moving it past the edge of your PC screen and you should see it show up on the other display! That's really all you've got to do.

Method 2: Using the Keyboard Shortcut

If you want a method that's less known, but arguably more efficient, I'll let you in on the shortcut keys you can use to move your active window to the other screen.

Make sure that the window you want to move is currently active. Just click the title bar of the window to do this.

Now, to move this window to the screen that's to the left of the current display, press Windows + Shift + Left Arrow key. It will instantly jump to the other monitor!

Windows, of course, lets you move it to the display located on your right side too. In this case, just press Windows + Shift + Right Arrow key. That's it!

What makes this method great when you want to manage windows is that you can use it to quickly move across as many monitors as you want. Plus, when you get to the last monitor, it will wrap back to the first display.

Modern Office Setup with Multiple Displays

Why Can't I Move a Window Between Multiple Monitors?

There are two major reasons why you might be unable to move windows from your primary monitor to your other display.

This can either be because the window you're trying to move is maximized, or because Windows detects your other monitor as being physically positioned in the incorrect spot.

Restore Window from Maximized View

When some windows are maximized, you won't be able to switch them to your other display.

All you need to do to fix this is to press the "Restore" button, which is the square that you will find in the upper-right corner of the window.

Arrange Monitors from Display Settings

When you set up another monitor on Windows, you can let the OS know the physical orientation of the displays. This will help you find out which side to move windows to, whether you're using the drag-and-drop method or the keyboard shortcuts.

You can arrange your monitors from your computer's display settings.

  1. Go to your desktop. Press Windows + "D" as a keyboard shortcut for this.
  2. Right-click on any empty part of your desktop.
  3. Click "Display Settings".
  4. Go to the "Scale & layout" section and expand the "Multiple displays" section.
  5. Click "Identify". This will put numbers on the connect monitors to show you which is which.
  6. Now, you can use the Settings app to rearrange the identified windows so that they are arranged the same way they are physically.
  7. Press "Apply".

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Final Words

You can move a window on your desktop to another monitor by using your mouse to drag it from one screen to another, or use a keyboard shortcut: Windows + Shift + Left or Right arrow.

However, if you find that this doesn't work on your computer, it might be because the window has been maximized. You can fix this by pressing the Restore button. Or, it might be because of how Windows detects your screens to be oriented. You can rearrange monitors from the Display Settings.

Did this article help you move windows from one of your screens to the other? If so, that's great! Check out our related articles for many more handy computer tips and tricks.

Lindsay Hayes

Author
Hi, I’m Lindsay, a techie from Kansas City. That’s right; I’m a born and bred Midwesterner. I learned to take electronics apart at my dad’s GameStop way back when, and I haven’t stopped since. I spend most of my time checking out new gadgets.
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