How to Turn On or Off Minimize Windows When a Monitor is Disconnected in Windows 11

Why Does Windows Do This?

When you disconnect a monitor, Windows 11 has two choices. It can hide all the windows that were on that screen. Or it can move those windows to your main screen so you can still see them. Right now, Windows is probably hiding them. You might want to change that.

What Happens When You Change This Setting?

If you disable this feature, your windows won’t hide. Instead, Windows will move them to your main screen, so you can keep working without losing track of anything.

How to Change This Setting Using Windows Settings

1. Press the Windows Key + I on your keyboard. ⚙️ The Settings window opens.
2. Look at the left side. Click System.
3. On the right side, click Display.
4. Scroll down and find Multiple displays. Click it to open more options.
5. Look for the option called Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected.
6. Check the box to turn it on. Uncheck the box to turn it off.

You can control whether your windows get minimized when you disconnect a monitor in Windows 11 using the built-in Settings app. This setting, called ‘Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected,’ can be turned on or off with just a few clicks to manage how your open applications behave.

Windows Display Settings tile

Windows 11 minimize windows on disconnected monitor

Click here to open Display Settings directly

How to Change This Setting Using the Registry (Advanced Users Only)

Heads up: The Registry is a critical area in Windows that stores vital system configurations. Making unintended changes can lead to system issues, so proceed with caution. If you’re unsure about any step, it’s wise to seek assistance.

To Turn ON Minimize Windows (This Is the Default):

reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop" /v MonitorRemovalRecalcBehavior /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

To Turn OFF Minimize Windows (Keep Windows on Main Screen):

reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop" /v MonitorRemovalRecalcBehavior /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Ready to use these commands? Create a new text file, paste the code into it, and save the file with a .reg extension. Double-clicking this file will then add the changes to your Registry.

Summary

• You can control what happens to your windows when you unplug a monitor.
• By default, Windows hides windows on the disconnected monitor.
• You can turn off this feature. Then Windows will move those windows to your main screen instead.
• Change this setting in ⚙️ Windows Settings. It takes just a few clicks.
• Advanced users can also edit the Registry using commands.
• Try both settings. See which one works better for you.

You have control over what happens to your windows when you unplug a monitor. By default, Windows hides them. You can disable this behavior, and Windows will then move those windows to your main screen instead. This setting is found within Windows Settings and requires just a few clicks. For those comfortable with advanced system tweaks, the Registry offers another way to make these changes. Experiment with both options to see which works best for your workflow.