Taskbar/windows move to "primary" monitor after sleep/screensaver

Question

_{Sunday, May 8, 2016 6:31 PM | 2 votes}

I use a dual monitor setup and ever since updating to W10 I'm having this issue where my shortcuts, taskbar and windows will move from my secondary monitor to my primary monitor after coming out of sleep or screensaver mode. It could be browser windows or my Steam friends list or my locked taskbar. Sometimes it's just some of them and sometimes it's all of them. Sometimes my shortcuts are moved (but magically move back when I move the taskbar back).

Does anyone have a solution for this? It sort of defeats the purpose of dual monitors if Windows continually forces everything to a single monitor and it's getting quite tedious moving everything back where I want it every 5 minutes. I have searched and searched for a solution but can't find one.

I'm using W10 Pro 64 bit and it's up to date.

All replies (4)

_{Tuesday, May 10, 2016 3:21 AM ✅Answered}

Hi cproatx,

This might be caused by the monitor is disconnected, when going into sleep or screensaver.

When you disconnect the additional monitor, the original display settings are restored to your primary display. In addition, all open files and program windows are moved to the primary display. The next time  that you connect the same monitor, Windows automatically applies the display settings that you used the last time that you connected this monitor.

Reference: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Understanding-multiple-monitors

This should also apply to Windows 10.

So suggestions here should be:

1. Under Power Options, choose your current Power plan, then click the advanced power options, find the Display, then set the turn off the display to Never;

2. Try to reconnect the second monitor if step 1 didn't help;

Regards

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_{Wednesday, February 6, 2019 6:35 PM | 4 votes}

So that means you want me get burn-in on my monitors because windows 10 is flawed?

This never happend on 2000,me,xp,7,8 or 8.1. 

_{Tuesday, February 26, 2019 6:25 PM | 1 vote}

I have the same issue.  The accepted answer doesn't solve the problem.  Thanks for bringing this up @cproatx

_{Monday, December 16, 2019 7:26 PM}

Has Microsoft fixed this flaw with Win 10?  I agree with @Lt-Butterfingers in that the Never option for the turn off display in Settings is unacceptable.