How to move a fullscreen game to a second monitor
- To move a fullscreen game to a second monitor, you need to adjust a couple of display settings.
- Using a borderless window mode is also a quick and simple alternative that works pretty well.
- Keyboard shortcuts can also be used to move applications, including games, to different screens.
If you have a dual monitor setup, you can organize your workspace better, so it’s no wonder that many users are going for these types of setups.
There are various possibilities when using two monitors, and you’re not limited just to your work; you can also use this to your advantage while gaming.
Many users prefer having their game open on one screen and Discord or another app on a second screen in order to stay in touch with their friends while gaming.
In today’s guide, we’re going to show you how to move a fullscreen game to a second monitor in order to organize your workspace better.
Why won’t my game run on the second display in fullscreen?
Most applications, including games, will start on your primary monitor when you launch them. This is the default behavior on Windows, and it can’t be changed.
If you want to start your game on a second display, you need to set it as your default screen, and it should work without any problems.
What’s the difference between fullscreen and borderless window mode?
Fullscreen mode offers better performance since it has full control over the display output. However, if you want to switch to a different application, you need to minimize the game with a keyboard shortcut.
With a borderless window, you might get slightly lower performance, but you can quickly open any application on top of your game, or move the game to a different screen.
How to move a fullscreen game to another monitor?
1. Move a full screen game to a second monitor on Windows 10
1.1 Change your display settings
- Right-click your desktop and choose Display Settings.
- Click the Identify button to observe how the displays are numbered.
- Scroll down to the Multiple-display section and click on the drop-down list.
- Choose the number of the monitor identified in the steps before that you want to use to display the game.
This is a pretty simple solution, but it works. If you want more options while gaming on multiple displays, we suggest using the DisplayFusion software.
1.2 Run the game in Windowed mode
- Launch League of Legends
- Navigate to Display/Video Settings.
- Look for Display Mode setting.
- Change it to Window or Borderless Window and save changes.
- Next, drag the game window to your preferred monitor.
- Change the preferred monitor to primary, and set as priority.
For more information, we suggest checking our guide on how to open Steam games in windowed mode.
1.3 Set the second monitor as the primary monitor
- Plug the second monitor to your computer.
- Right-click your desktop and choose Display settings from the menu.
- The Display Settings window will open next, scroll till you find Multiple Displays, and select the second monitor.
- When you select the second monitor, a checkbox will appear labeled to Make this my main display.
- Ensure you select the checkbox to finish up the procedure.
2. Move a full screen game to a second monitor on Windows 11
2.1 Change your display settings
- Right-click your desktop and choose Display settings.
- Scroll down to the Multiple displays.
- Selecy Show only on and select the second monitor.
2.2 Run the game in windowed mode
- Open the game you want to play.
- Navigate to Display settings.
- Set the Display mode to Borderless window.
- Move the window to the second screen.
- Adjust the game resolution so it matches the display size.
3. Move a full screen game to a second monitor on Mac
3.1 Use Mission Control
- Start the desired game.
- Start Mission Control by using the three-finger swipe on your trackpad.
- Now move the game window to the desired monitor.
3.2 Assign the app to the second display
- Right-click the app on your Dock.
- Choose Options and on the Assign To menu select the desired display.
- Now run the app.
4. Move a full screen game to a second monitor with keyboard shortcuts
4.1 Use move window shortcut
- Make sure that your game is running.
- Now press Windows key + Shift + Left or Right arrow to move the window.
- Your window should now appear on the second screen.
Can I use multiple monitors with different resolutions?
Yes, you can use multiple monitors with different resolutions without any problems. The two will be fully compatible, but the difference in image quality will be noticeable.
For more information, learn how to set up dual monitors with different resolutions.
How to move the mouse to a second monitor in-game?
- Ensure that the second monitor is still plugged in.
- Also, make sure the game is launched and ready.
- Next, move the cursor towards the direction of the gaming screen until it pops into the screen.
- When that is done, the cursor will disappear from the secondary and appear on the primary gaming screen.
Multi-screen setups are very popular nowadays, and one of the best ways to enjoy playing full-screen games, while multitasking.
For more information regarding this subject, visit our guide on how to open games on a second monitor.
Hopefully, you are satisfied with the information provided here. Feel free to leave suggestions in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The easiest way to customize your monitor setup in any way you desire is to download the useful DisplayFusion application.
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A second monitor will only affect your FPS while gaming if you’re running big applications that require the use of a lot of the RAM. Find out how to optimize your RAM easily.
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Some people love using dual monitors while gaming and others don’t find it useful at all. Check out our recommendations for the best gaming monitors on the market, and see for yourself.
