Move a window by dragging its title bar to the other monitor
The simplest way to move a window between monitors is to click and drag its title bar (the bar at the very top where the window name appears) toward the monitor you want it on. Hold down the mouse button, move your cursor across to the other monitor, and release. The window follows your cursor and lands on whichever monitor your mouse enters.
This works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It works whether your monitors are side by side, stacked vertically, or arranged in any other configuration. The window does not need to be maximized or in any special state — you can drag from a small window or a full-screen one.
If dragging does not work, your monitors may not be recognized as a single display space. Check your display settings to confirm both monitors are detected and arranged correctly before trying again.
Key Takeaways
- Drag the window's title bar toward the other monitor to move it; the window follows your cursor across the display boundary.
- Windows keyboard shortcut: hold Windows key + Shift and press the left or right arrow to move the active window to an adjacent monitor.
- Mac keyboard shortcut: hold Control + Command and press the right arrow to move the window to the next monitor.
- If a window is stuck on one monitor, check your display settings to confirm both monitors are detected and arranged in the correct order.
- Some full-screen applications may lock to a single monitor and require you to exit full-screen mode before moving them.
Use keyboard shortcuts to move windows faster
If you use multiple monitors regularly, keyboard shortcuts are faster than dragging. On Windows 10 and 11, hold Windows key + Shift and press the left or right arrow key. This moves the active window (the one you are currently using) to the monitor on that side. Press the right arrow to move it right, or the left arrow to move it left, based on how your monitors are physically arranged.
On Mac, hold Control + Command and press the right arrow to move the window to the next monitor. There is no built-in shortcut for moving left, but you can repeat the command to cycle through all monitors.
These shortcuts work when ready and do not require you to position your mouse or drag anything. If the shortcut does not work, your monitors may not be arranged in your display settings, or the active window may be in a state that prevents moving (such as maximized in some older applications).
Maximize or snap windows to fill each monitor
Once a window is on the monitor you want, you can maximize it to fill that entire screen. Double-click the title bar, or press Windows key + Up arrow on Windows, or press Control + Command + F on Mac. The window expands to use all available space on that monitor without affecting windows on other monitors.
On Windows, you can also use snap layouts to position multiple windows side by side on one monitor. Click and hold the maximize button (or press Windows key + Z) to see layout options, then choose how to split the screen. This is useful when you want two windows visible at once on the same monitor.
Snapping a window to one side of a monitor does not move it to another monitor — it only resizes it. To move it to a different monitor first, then snap it, drag or use the keyboard shortcut to move it, then snap it to the layout you want.
Arrange monitors in display settings so shortcuts work correctly
Keyboard shortcuts and dragging both depend on your monitors being arranged correctly in your system settings. If you press the right arrow shortcut and the window moves left instead, or if dragging does not work at all, your monitor arrangement needs adjustment.
On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings, go to System, then Display. Scroll down to "Multiple displays" and look for a diagram showing your monitors. Click and drag the monitor icons to match how they are physically positioned. If your left monitor is on the left, its icon should be on the left in the diagram. Save the changes and try the shortcut again.
On Mac, open System Settings, go to Displays, then click "Arrange" at the top. You will see a diagram of your monitors. Drag the monitor icons to match their physical positions. The white bar at the top of one monitor shows which one is your primary display. Arrange them to match reality, then close the window.
Handle full-screen applications and games
Some applications, especially games and video players, run in exclusive full-screen mode and cannot be moved to another monitor while full-screen. If you try to drag or use a keyboard shortcut and nothing happens, the process is likely in this mode.
Exit full-screen mode first. Press Escape, Alt + Enter, or F11 (depending on the process), or look in the process's menu for a full-screen toggle. Once the window is in windowed mode, you can move it to another monitor using any method. Then you can return it to full-screen on the new monitor if you want.
Some applications remember which monitor they were on last time you used them. If a game or video player keeps opening on the wrong monitor, move it to the correct one, exit full-screen, close the process, and reopen it. Many applications will remember the new location.
Troubleshoot when windows will not move
If a window refuses to move no matter which method you try, check these common causes. First, confirm both monitors are actually connected and powered on. Look at your display settings to verify both appear in the monitor list. If one is missing, reconnect the cable or restart your computer.
Second, check that your monitors are arranged in display settings. Open Settings or System Settings and look at the monitor diagram. If one monitor appears isolated or disconnected in the diagram, drag it to the correct position relative to the other one. Windows and Mac both need this arrangement to be correct for moving to work.
Third, try restarting the process. Some programs lock windows to a monitor on startup and do not release them until you close and reopen the program. Close the window completely, then open the process again and try moving it.
If the window still will not move, the process may be designed to run on only one monitor. Check the process's settings or documentation to see if there is a multi-monitor option you need to enable.
Move windows between monitors on different connection types
The method for moving windows does not change based on how your monitors are connected — whether they use HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, or older VGA cables, dragging and keyboard shortcuts work the same way. The connection type only affects whether your computer recognizes both monitors at all.
If you recently connected a monitor via a different cable type and it is not showing up in your display settings, the issue is with detection, not with moving windows. Check that the cable is fully inserted, try a different port on your computer if available, or restart your computer. Once both monitors appear in Settings or System Settings, moving windows between them works normally.
Some laptops with docking stations may have monitors connected through the dock. These still appear in your display settings the same way as directly connected monitors, so moving windows works identically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move a window to a monitor that is turned off?
No. If you move a window to a monitor and then turn that monitor off, the window stays in memory but becomes invisible. Turn the monitor back on to see it again. To avoid this, move windows only to monitors that are powered on and detected in your display settings.
What if my monitors have different resolutions?
Moving a window between monitors of different resolutions works fine. The window keeps its size and does not automatically resize. If a window is larger than your second monitor, it may extend beyond the visible area — drag it back toward the center of that monitor or resize it smaller to see all of it.
Does moving a window to another monitor affect performance?
No. Moving a window does not change how much processing power it uses. However, if your monitors have different refresh rates, some applications may adjust their refresh rate when moved, which could affect smoothness in video or games. This is normal and usually unnoticeable.
Can I set a program to always open on a specific monitor?
Some applications have a setting for this, but most do not. The most reliable method is to move the window to the monitor you want, then close the process from that monitor. Many programs remember the last monitor they were on and open there next time. If an process does not remember, you will need to move it manually each time.
Why does my window move to the wrong monitor when I use the keyboard shortcut?
Your monitors are likely arranged incorrectly in display settings. Open Settings or System Settings, go to Displays, and check the monitor diagram. If the physical positions do not match the diagram, drag the monitor icons to the correct positions. After you arrange them correctly, the shortcuts will move windows in the direction you expect.