Ask a new question

Windows 10 Screen Automatically Extends

I have had no issues with Windows 10 except for an annoying second monitor issue. About one in three times that I open my laptop and power on my second screen, it will extend the desktop, which is what I want. The other two times, however, both the laptop screen will turn on and the monitor screen, but the desktop screen will turn off and it will be set to second screen only. It's a little nit-picky, I know, but it's frustrating that it changes settings like that. Is there a way to set it to always set to extend automatically, not second screen only? The strange part is that it seems to switch on its own. I'm using a Dell Inspiron 13 connected via HDMI.
Hi Djosh,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I understand  that you are unable to extend the displays on Windows 10. I will certainly help you.

To extend the displays on Windows 10 , I suggest you to follow below steps and check if it resolves the issue.
1. Right click on Start > Control Panel.
2. Change the view by option on the top right to Large icons.
3. Select Display > Change Display settings on left panel.
4. Select Extend these displays from the drop down menu of Multiple displays.

5. Click on Apply and then OK.

Hope this helps. If the issue remains unresolved, please get back to us and we would be happy to help.

Thank you.

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Thanks for the reply.

I think I could have been more clear.

My setup is a laptop, which I treat more like a desktop as it usually stays on my desk, and a second monitor off to the left connected via HDMI. I usually turn my computer off at night, but during the day I just shut the screen. 

The problem is that sometimes, when I reopen my screen, it will automatically extend, which is what I want. But most of the time it will go to second screen only, which is what I don't want, meaning that the second monitor is on, but not my laptop screen. I know how to quickly change the settings back to extend using the keyboard, so this problem is really more of a minor annoyance than anything, but it's getting on my nerves after a couple of months. 

So in short, my computer seems to choose between display settings when I open it up with no rhyme or reason as to if it chooses 'extend' or 'second screen only'. Is there a way to make it stay at 'extend' setting indefinitely? 

10 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Hello DJoshquay,

I'm having the same problem, even with latest Win 10 Anniversary Update.

Did you find a solution for your problem?

Thanks in advance

Oliver

3 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

I have not but I'll keep looking. Glad to know it's not just me. Do you also have the Inspiron 13-7xxx?

1 person found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

No, I have a Dell XPS 15-9550 with the Thunderbold 3 dock.

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

 
 

Question Info

Last updated February 3, 2025 Views 11,934 Applies to: