Do you use multiple monitors on your computer and want to switch Display 1 to Display 2 in Windows 10? Whether you’ve set up an external monitor, connected your laptop to a TV, or use dual screens for productivity, you might notice that Windows labels your displays as “1” and “2” — sometimes not the way you want.
This guide will walk you through how to change Display 1 to Display 2 in Windows 10, step by step, with clear explanations, screenshots (described), and troubleshooting tips. We’ll also explain what Display 1 and Display 2 mean, how to identify which is which, and how to customize display settings like resolution and orientation.
Let’s get started!
🧠 What Do Display 1 and Display 2 Mean in Windows 10?
When you connect more than one display (like a monitor, TV, or projector) to your PC, Windows automatically detects them and assigns numbers such as Display 1, Display 2, and sometimes Display 3, depending on how many you have connected.
These labels don’t correspond to physical ports — instead, they’re logical identifiers used by Windows to manage your screen setup.
Here’s how it works:
| Display Number | Description |
|---|---|
| Display 1 | The primary display. This shows your main desktop, Start menu, and taskbar. |
| Display 2 | The secondary display. You can extend or duplicate your main display here. |
So, if your main monitor is labeled as Display 2, but you want it to be Display 1, you’ll need to change which display is primary — that’s what this guide is about.
🧩 Why Change Display 1 to Display 2 in Windows 10?
Here are some common reasons you might want to switch Display 1 and Display 2:
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💻 Your laptop screen is Display 2, but you want your external monitor to be Display 1.
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🖥️ You rearranged monitors physically, and the cursor movement doesn’t match.
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🎮 You want to play games or run apps on a specific screen that only work properly on Display 1.
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🧭 You’re setting up a presentation or video output, and it needs to appear on Display 1.
Whatever your reason, Windows 10 makes it simple to switch — you just need to know where to look.
🧭 Step 1: Open the Display Settings in Windows 10
Let’s start by accessing the Display settings panel, where you can view and manage all connected screens.
Here’s how:
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Right-click anywhere on your desktop.
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Choose Display settings from the context menu.
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The Display window will open in the Settings app.
You’ll now see a visual layout of your monitors, labeled as “1” and “2.”
👉 Tip: If you don’t see both displays, click Detect at the bottom of the screen.
👀 Step 2: Identify Which Monitor is Which
Before changing anything, it’s helpful to confirm which monitor Windows considers Display 1 and Display 2.
To identify displays:
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In the Display settings window, scroll down slightly.
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Click the Identify button.
You’ll see large numbers “1” and “2” briefly appear on your screens — these correspond to Display 1 and Display 2 in the settings.
This helps you visually confirm which screen you want as your main display.
🖥️ Step 3: Rearrange Your Display Order (Optional but Useful)
If your mouse moves in the wrong direction between monitors — for example, moving right from one screen goes left to the other — you’ll want to rearrange the monitor layout.
To do this:
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In the Display settings window, you’ll see rectangles representing your monitors.
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Click and drag the rectangles so their position matches how your screens are physically arranged (side by side, stacked, etc.).
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Click Apply to save the new layout.
This ensures smooth cursor movement between displays.
⚙️ Step 4: Make Display 2 Your Primary Display
Now let’s actually change Display 1 to Display 2 — meaning, make Display 2 the main display where your desktop, Start menu, and taskbar appear.
Here’s how:
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In Display settings, click on the rectangle labeled 2 (or whichever monitor you want as the main one).
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Scroll down to the Multiple displays section.
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Check the box that says Make this my main display.
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Click Apply.
Once you do this, Windows will switch the main desktop to Display 2, effectively making it your Display 1 (primary monitor).
✅ Note: If the checkbox is greyed out, it means the selected display is already set as your main one.
🧭 Step 5: Adjust Resolution and Orientation (Optional)
After changing your main display, you may need to adjust resolution or screen orientation to ensure the best viewing experience.
To adjust resolution:
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In the Display settings window, select the desired display.
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Under Display resolution, choose the recommended setting or one that fits your needs.
To adjust orientation:
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Select Landscape, Portrait, Landscape (flipped), or Portrait (flipped) under Display orientation.
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Click Apply to confirm changes.
📺 Step 6: Set Up Display Modes — Extend, Duplicate, or Second Screen Only
If you’re using multiple screens, Windows 10 allows different modes depending on your workflow.
| Display Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Duplicate | Shows the same content on both screens — great for presentations. |
| Extend | Expands your desktop across multiple monitors — ideal for multitasking. |
| Second screen only | Turns off your primary display and uses only the external one. |
To change the display mode:
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Press Windows + P on your keyboard.
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A sidebar will appear with the options above.
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Select the one that fits your needs.
🧰 Step 7: Rename Displays (Optional for Easier Management)
If you often connect different monitors, renaming them helps keep things clear.
While Windows doesn’t offer a direct renaming option in Settings, you can rename them through your graphics control panel (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel software) or by labeling them manually for future reference.
Alternatively, note each monitor’s model name shown in Display settings — it helps when managing multiple monitors.
🔄 Step 8: Confirm the Change Worked
After applying the settings, check that:
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The taskbar appears on your new main display.
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The Start menu opens on the correct monitor.
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Apps open by default on the new Display 1.
If all these work correctly, congratulations — you’ve successfully changed Display 1 to Display 2 in Windows 10!
🧠 Understanding How Windows Assigns Display Numbers
Many users wonder why Display 1 and Display 2 sometimes don’t match their physical ports. Here’s why:
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Windows assigns numbers based on detection order, not on the port used.
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The first detected display becomes Display 1, and so on.
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Changing cables or adapters can sometimes swap display numbers.
In short, the numbering doesn’t matter much — what matters is which display you set as primary.
🧩 Troubleshooting: Common Issues When Changing Display 1 to Display 2
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to fix common problems:
1. Display 2 Not Detected
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Check the cable connection (HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA).
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Try a different cable or port.
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Click Detect in Display settings.
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Update your graphics drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
2. Option to “Make this my main display” is Missing
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Try selecting the other monitor — the option only appears when the selected display isn’t already the main one.
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Update Windows and reboot your system.
3. Displays Keep Switching After Restart
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This can happen due to outdated GPU drivers.
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Reinstall or update your graphics driver using Device Manager or the GPU control panel.
4. Wrong Monitor Identified as Display 1
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Disconnect all monitors.
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Reconnect the preferred monitor first.
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Restart your PC — it should become Display 1 automatically.
🧩 Bonus: Change Primary Display Using Graphics Control Panel
If Windows settings don’t apply properly, you can use your GPU’s control panel.
For NVIDIA Graphics:
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Right-click on the desktop → NVIDIA Control Panel.
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Go to Display > Set up multiple displays.
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Right-click the display you want as primary → select Make primary.
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Click Apply.
For AMD Radeon:
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Open AMD Radeon Settings.
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Go to Display tab.
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Choose your desired monitor → set it as Primary Display.
For Intel Graphics:
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Right-click desktop → Graphics Properties.
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Go to Display > Multiple Displays.
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Select your preferred main display.
🧾 Quick Summary: How to Change Display 1 to Display 2
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open Display Settings |
| 2 | Click Identify to see monitor numbers |
| 3 | Select the display you want as main |
| 4 | Check Make this my main display |
| 5 | Adjust resolution and orientation if needed |
| 6 | Click Apply to save changes |
That’s it — your Display 2 is now Display 1!
🧩 Pro Tips for Multi-Monitor Users
If you often work with multiple monitors, here are some tips to improve your experience:
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Use keyboard shortcuts: Press Windows + P to switch display modes quickly.
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Move the taskbar: Right-click the taskbar → Taskbar settings → choose where to display it.
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Customize wallpapers: Right-click desktop → Personalize → Background → Choose different wallpapers for each screen.
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Use Snap Assist: Drag windows to corners to split between displays easily.
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Third-party tools like DisplayFusion or Ultramon can give even more control.
🧠 When You Shouldn’t Change Display 1 and Display 2
In some cases, switching displays isn’t necessary — such as:
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If both displays show the same resolution and orientation.
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If apps already open on the desired screen.
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If performance issues occur after switching.
If everything works fine, you can leave the configuration as-is — the display numbers themselves don’t affect performance.
🏁 Conclusion
Changing Display 1 to Display 2 in Windows 10 is simple once you know where to look. The Display settings panel gives you full control to manage which screen acts as your main display, adjust resolutions, and arrange your monitors to match your physical setup.
Whether you’re a gamer, designer, or someone who just enjoys extra screen space, understanding how Windows handles multiple displays helps you make the most of your setup.
❓ FAQs About Changing Display 1 to Display 2 in Windows 10
1. Can I rename Display 1 and Display 2?
No, Windows doesn’t let you rename them directly, but you can identify and label them using stickers or your GPU control panel.
2. Why does Windows keep changing my display numbers?
Windows assigns numbers dynamically — reconnecting cables or updating drivers can reshuffle them.
3. How do I move my taskbar to another monitor?
Right-click the taskbar → Taskbar settings → Under Multiple displays, choose where to show it.
4. What’s the fastest way to switch my main display?
Open Display settings → select your monitor → check Make this my main display → Apply.
5. Can I have multiple “main” displays?
No, only one display can be the main one at a time, though you can duplicate your desktop across others.
🗝️ Key Takeaways
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Display 1 = Primary monitor, Display 2 = Secondary.
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You can change Display 1 to Display 2 easily via Display settings.
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Always click Identify before switching displays.
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Use Windows + P to toggle between screen modes.
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Update graphics drivers if displays behave unpredictably.