Start Screen - Open on Main or Last Display in Windows 8.1

How to Set Start Screen to Open on Last or Main Display when Pressing Windows key in Windows 8.1

information   Information
If you have more than on display for your PC, then this tutorial will show you how to set your Start screen to show only on your main display or any last display closed on when you press the Windows :winkey: key in Windows 8.1.

This setting will have no affect on what display Start opens on if you open your Start screen using any method (ex: taskbar or charms) other than pressing the :winkey: key.


EXAMPLE: Start screen with "Start" or "Apps" view showing
Windows_8_1_Start_view_on_Start.jpg
Windows_8_1_Apps_view_on_Start.jpg






OPTION ONE

Set to Show Start on Last or Main Display using "Taskbar and Navigation properties"


1. From your desktop, right click or press and hold on the taskbar, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)​
Taskbar_Properties.jpg
2. In Taskbar and Navigation properties, click/tap on the Navigation tab, and do step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)​
3. Only Show "Start Screen" on Main Display when Pressing Windows key
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) Check the Show Start on the display I'm using when I press the Windows logo key box, and click/tap on OK.​
4. To Show "Start Screen" on Last Display opened from when Pressing Windows key
A) Uncheck the Show Start on the display I'm using when I press the Windows logo key box, and click/tap on OK.​
Windows_8_1_start_on_main_display.jpg





OPTION TWO

Set to Show Start on Last or Main Display using REG File



Note   Note
The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage

MonitorOverride DWORD

0 = Show "Start Screen" on Last Display when Pressing Windows key
1 = Only Show "Start Screen" on Main Display when Pressing Windows key


1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​
2. To Show "Start Screen" on Last Display opened from when Pressing Windows key
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Show_Start_on_Last_Display.reg
download
3. Only Show "Start Screen" on Main Display when Pressing Windows key
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Only_Show_Start_on_Main_Display.reg
download
4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.​
5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.​
6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.​
7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​


That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Only_Show_Start_on_Main_Display.reg
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  • Show_Start_on_Last_Display.reg
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  • Start_Screen.png
    Start_Screen.png
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