If you have multiple displays or an external projector, you might be familiar with the built-in feature of Windows 7 and Windows 8 to change the active display and the sharing mode of your current desktop. When you press Win+P, you can choose to extend your desktop, duplicate it, or turn off one of the displays entirely. It is possible to control this feature via the command line, so you can create a shortcut any of these 4 settings. Let's see how it can be done.![WinP[1]](https://winaero.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/WinP1.png)
The built-in Windows utility, DisplaySwitch.exe, allows you to specify which display to use and how to use it.
It supports the following command line arguments:
DisplaySwitch.exe /internal
The /internal argument is used to switch your PC to use the primary display only.
Tip: You can try these options right in the Run dialog. Open it with the Win + R shortcut and type the command above in the Run box.DisplaySwitch.exe /external
Use this command to switch to the external display only.
DisplaySwitch.exe /clone
Duplicates the primary display
DisplaySwitch.exe /extend
Expands your Desktop to the secondary display
That's it. Now you can create a shortcut with the appropriate command.
You can assign a global keyboard shortcut as described in the article: Add global hotkeys to launch your favorite applications in Windows 8.1.
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oh cool! thanks!
Thank you! I’ve been looking for this solution for ages :)
Pressing the spacebar performs direct Disolayswitch.exe. How do I put it back, I never created a shortcut.
My laptop has two external graphics ports, but only one can be active at a time. I have the HDMI going to my TV and the VGA to a small monitor on my desk. With the laptop screen as primary, can I use DisplaySwitch to pick which one will be active and which one will be disconnected?
Hai sir/madam
Once I was just trying commands in command prompts I tried the command as “Displayswitch”
And accidentally click on “projector only”.
The problem is I don’t have a projector and the moniter is not displaying anything.
How can I make it back to moniter for displaying purpose
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