topic Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors in ArcGIS Desktop Installation Support Questions

Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

MatthewDuffy — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 18:36:19 GMT

I have two monitors here at work and when I open ArcMap it will usually open on my main screen. Every once in a while when I have multiple sessions of ArcMap open, I forget and save one ArcMap session while it resides on my secondary screen. When this happens it sometimes continues to open on the secondary display, even if I move it over and save it again.

Is there a way to force ArcMap to always open on a specific screen display monitor?

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

TimothyHales — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 18:44:17 GMT

If I remember correctly it is based off the monitor you have the application on when you close it.

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

DanPatterson_Retired — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 18:47:20 GMT

I ran into that issue before and yes resaving did squat because it is buried in the depths somewhere. To solve this issue I stopped using the misbehaving project and re-added the data to a new project... and I now leave both monitors on. How long do you actually use a project anyway?

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

MatthewDuffy — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 18:53:31 GMT

Thank you Timothy, but it still open on the wrong side after I perform the steps of moving saving and closing.

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

MatthewDuffy — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 18:54:48 GMT

Thank you for the thoughts Dan, but this occurs when starting ArcMap fresh and opening any project.

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

TimothyHales — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:01:05 GMT

You might need to reset your application data - https://community.esri.com/docs/DOC-2121?sr=search&searchId=e010d357-d13d-4862-8240-b8906e473e0d&searchIndex=0‌

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

DanPatterson_Retired — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:08:17 GMT

Never seen it permanently reset, so I would go with Timothy's suggestion of resetting your application profile. You could mess with arc*s head and switch monitor cables and see if it goes back to the 'first' monitor, then reset it when it does (seriously... sometimes the strangest things do work)

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

MatthewDuffy — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:11:51 GMT

Thank you Timothy, unfortunately neither of these worked. However I remain grateful for your thoughts and replies, so thank you for that

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

MatthewDuffy — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:13:58 GMT

I hear you Dan, but if I do that there is nothing that will prevent it from happening again and then I'm back looking for some strange inconsistent anomaly. I do appreciate your generous thoughts though, thank you for sharing with me.

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

MatthewDuffy — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:33:24 GMT

Looks like Tim Hopper‌ has correctly answered this question a version or two ago. My apologies for duplicates, but now it'll be cross-referenced at least

https://community.esri.com/thread/46035

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

MatthewDuffy — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:38:49 GMT

Thanks again Tim Hopper‌

Tim Hopper Feb 22, 2012 1:51 PM

Correct Answer

This might seem crazy but...

1. Make ArcMap smaller than full screen.
2. Drag it onto your primary monitor and close ArcMap (without maximizing). When it reopens, it should be on your primary monitor.
3. Maximize ArcMap on your primary monitor. Close ArcMap.
4. When you reopen a second time it should be maximized on your primary monitor.

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

DanPatterson_Retired — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:46:34 GMT

cool! bookmarked! Now I can return that 3rd monitor I bought

Re: Always Open ArcMap On Main Screen When Using Multiple Display Monitors

MatthewDuffy — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 19:58:27 GMT

Ha! Ha! Ha!

No way Dan! Set it up for a huge ArcMap session