How to Make Apps Always Open on a Specific Monitor
One of the most-asked multi-monitor questions — and Windows only half-solves it. Here’s the fix that actually sticks.
Why Windows gets it wrong
Windows guesses; DMT decides
Windows reopens apps where they were last closed — until a game, a driver update, or undocking your laptop scrambles the memory. The deterministic fix is a launcher that pins each app to a monitor and position.
The DMT fix: magic words with pinned positions
- Open DMT → Launcher and create a magic word, e.g.
mail. - Point it at the program, then set the target monitor, position, and window state.
- Bind the launcher hotkey (the single most important hotkey in DMT).
- From now on: hotkey → type
mail→ Enter. The app opens exactly where you pinned it — every time.
Pro tips
- Pin your whole morning routine:
dev,mail,music— three words rebuild your desk. - For windows that are already open in the wrong place, Swap Screen hotkeys throw them across instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a program always open on my second monitor?
The reliable way: DMT Launcher magic words. Create a word (e.g. “mail”) bound to the program with a fixed monitor and position — it opens there every time, no dragging.
Why do apps keep opening on the wrong monitor?
Windows tries to reopen apps where they were last closed, but fullscreen games, resolution changes, and dock/undock cycles confuse it. A launcher with pinned positions removes the guesswork.
Can I do this without extra software?
Partly: open the app, drag it to the target monitor, maximize or size it, then close it there — Windows often remembers. But it’s fragile; DMT magic words are deterministic.
Ready to try Dual Monitor Tools?
Free, open-source, and portable. Get version 2.13 now.
Download DMT v2.13 (Free)