Whether you’re a pro gamer or you prefer viewing multiple documents simultaneously, chances are the idea of having more than one monitor to view your games and files might have crossed your mind.
If you have set up a second monitor and are looking for a way to move your game display from one screen to the other, you’re in the right place. In this article, we tell you how to move your game between the two monitors in a few simple steps.
How to Move a Game to the Other Monitor on a Windows PC?
There are a number of ways to move your game to the secondary monitor you have set up when using a Windows PC. Let’s take a look at these various methods:
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
If you are already playing a game on your computer, you can use keyboard shortcuts. This method is quick and easy – here is how to do it:
- Press “Alt” and “Enter” on your keyboard simultaneously to resize your game window. (This won’t minimize your window but will allow you to move it about.)
- Drag the game window across to the other screen.
Using Settings to Change the Primary Display
You can also adjust the display settings of your Windows PC to enable you to have the game appear on the secondary monitor. This is how to do it:
- Navigate to the “Start” button at the bottom of the screen and click it.
- Select the “Settings” icon, which is depicted by a small gear symbol.
- In the window that opens, select “System.”
- Choose “Display” from the menu on the left-hand pane.
- On the right pane that opens, scroll down to “Multiple Displays.” If you have a secondary screen plugged into your PC, a drop-down menu will be visible. Click on it and select “Show Only on Two” to display your game on the second screen.
If you aren’t sure which monitor is set as the primary or secondary monitor, you can always choose “Identify” under display settings to see each monitor’s setting. This is especially handy if you have more than two monitors plugged in.
Using Projector Mode
This method is relatively simple and requires only a few steps:
- Ensure your secondary screen is connected to your PC and launch your game.
- Press “P” and the “Windows” key simultaneously.
- Multiple options will display. Choose “PC Screen Only” from the choices available.
Your primary monitor will go black, and the game will continue playing on the second screen. To exit out of projector mode, you will need to follow the above steps again.
When you set up your monitors this way, you will also want to ensure that your mouse is working accordingly too, so you can play your games without hassle. To ensure your mouse works with the secondary screen, follow these steps:
- Make sure that your second monitor is plugged in correctly.
- Slide your mouse across your desk so that the cursor runs across one screen and then appears on your gaming display screen.
- Your cursor will now no longer be visible on the original screen and will be present only on the screen you are using for gaming.
How to Move a Game to the Other Monitor on a Mac
Using a secondary screen with a Mac is a little bit more involved. You will first need to have the correct cables and know how to connect a second screen to your Mac. When adding a second screen, your Mac will need to be turned on, and you will need to be logged in. Next, you will need to know how to move your game to a second screen on a Mac:
- On your Mac, navigate to “System Preferences.”
- Select “Displays.” From here, various tabs will open at the top. Choose “Arrangement.”
- In the Arrangement window, there will be an option called “Mirror Displays.” Make sure the box next to it is unchecked. This allows you to use your Mac screen and your secondary screen as two different displays.
Next, you will need to align the screens in the arrangement tab. This allows you to move files from one screen to the other as though you were sliding them across your desk. You do this by dragging the image of the secondary screen and positioning it next to your primary screen in the window on the arrangements page.
It is important to remember that should you position the physical monitors to accurately reflect the setting in Arrangements. Otherwise, what you see on screen may not accurately correlate with where your monitors are positioned.
Once you have done this, you can set one of the monitors to be your primary screen. Here’s how to do this:
- In the window that displays the images of the two monitors, you will see one rendering has a little white bar at the top. Click on this white bar and drag it to the screen you want to use as the primary display.
Your Mac will now have your selected screen set as the primary display. You can now launch your game, and it should load on your second screen.
If you have two monitors connected to your Mac and want to display your game on the second screen without it being set as the primary screen, then you would need to follow these instructions:
- Launch the game you want to play.
- Press “F3” and “Fn” together.
- Now drag the game onto the second screen.
Not a Second to Lose!
Moving a game to a secondary screen can be challenging, especially if you’ve never done it before. The steps provided here are designed to make the process quick and easy so you can set up your gaming interface the way you want and experience your games like never before.
Then the only thing you’ll need to worry about is what game you want to play next.
Have you moved a game to a secondary monitor before? Did you use steps or instructions similar to those given in this guide or did you use a different method? Let us know in the comments section below.