How to Fix Windows Going Behind Panel After Plug in Second Monitor

• The problem of windows going behind the panel when plugging in a second monitor usually caused by a mismatch between the display scaling settings of the two monitors.
• The are three possible solutions to fix the problem: adjusting the display scaling settings for both monitors, changing the position of the panel, or using a third-party tool to manage your windows.
• This article includes some frequently asked questions and answers related to the topic, such as how to bring back a window that is behind the panel, how to prevent windows from resizing when plugging in or unplugging a second monitor, and how to make the panel appear on both monitors.

If you have a dual monitor setup, you might have encountered a problem where your windows go behind the panel when you plug in a second monitor. This can be annoying and frustrating, especially if you need to access the windows that are hidden behind the panel. In this article, we will explain why this problem occurs and how to fix it.

Why Does This Problem Happen?

The problem of windows going behind the panel when plugging in a second monitor is usually caused by a mismatch between the display scaling settings of the two monitors. Display scaling is a feature that adjusts the size of text, icons, and other elements on your screen according to the resolution and physical size of your monitor. This can help improve readability and usability on high-resolution or small monitors.

However, if you have two monitors with different resolutions or physical sizes, and you set different display scaling settings for each monitor, Windows might not be able to handle the transition smoothly when you plug in or unplug the second monitor. As a result, some windows might get pushed behind the panel, which is usually located at the bottom of the primary monitor.

How to Fix It?

There are several possible solutions to fix the problem of windows going behind the panel when plugging in a second monitor. Here are some of them:

Solution 1: Adjust the display scaling settings for both monitors

The simplest solution is to make sure that both monitors have the same display scaling settings. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on an empty area of your desktop and select Display settings.
2. Under Scale and layout, use the drop-down menu to select a scaling percentage for each monitor. You can choose from 100%, 125%, 150%, or 175%, or use a custom scaling size.
3. If you use a custom scaling size, click on Advanced scaling settings and enter a value between 100% and 500% in the box under Custom scaling.
4. Click on Apply and sign out of your account to apply the changes.
5. Sign back in and check if the problem is resolved.

Solution 2: Change the position of the panel

Another solution is to move the panel from the bottom of the primary monitor to another edge, such as the top, left, or right. This can prevent windows from going behind the panel when plugging in a second monitor. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on an empty area of the panel and select Panel > Panel Preferences.
2. Under Geometry, use the drop-down menu next to Edge to select a different edge for the panel.
3. Click on Close and check if the problem is resolved.

Solution 3: Use a third-party tool to manage your windows

If none of the above solutions work for you, you can try using a third-party tool that can help you manage your windows better when using multiple monitors. For example, you can use DisplayFusion, which is a powerful software that lets you customize your multi-monitor setup with features such as window snapping, window management, wallpaper management, monitor configuration, hotkeys, and more. You can download DisplayFusion from its official website and try it for free for 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers related to the topic of windows going behind panel when plugging in a second monitor.

Question: How do I bring back a window that is behind the panel?

Answer: If you have a window that is behind the panel and you want to bring it back to the front, you can try one of these methods:

1. Use Alt+Tab to switch between open windows until you reach the window that is behind the panel.
2. Use Win+Tab to open Task View and click on the window that is behind the panel.
3. Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select Cascade windows, Show windows stacked, or Show windows side by side to rearrange your windows.
4. Use Win+D to show your desktop and then click on the window that is behind the panel.

Question: How do I prevent windows from resizing when I plug in or unplug a second monitor?

Answer: If you want to prevent windows from resizing when you plug in or unplug a second monitor, you can try changing a registry setting that controls this behavior. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press Win+R to open Run and type regedit. Press Enter or click OK.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
3. Double-click on WinArrangementActive and change its value data from 1 to 0.
4. Click OK and close Registry Editor.
5. Restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved.

Note: This method may not work for all applications or scenarios. Also, modifying the registry can cause serious problems if done incorrectly, so make sure to back up the registry before making any changes.

Question: How do I make the panel appear on both monitors?

Answer: If you want to make the panel appear on both monitors, you can create a second panel and assign it to the secondary monitor. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on an empty area of the panel and select Panel > Create New Panel.
2. Right-click on the new panel and select Panel > Panel Preferences.
3. Under Display, use the drop-down menu next to Output to select the secondary monitor.
4. Under Appearance, adjust the settings for the panel’s size, color, transparency, and icons as you like.
5. Click on Close and enjoy your dual-panel setup.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you solve the problem of windows going behind the panel when plugging in a second monitor. This problem can be annoying and frustrating, but it can be fixed with some simple adjustments or tools. By following the steps and tips in this article, you should be able to enjoy your dual monitor setup without any issues.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The content is based on the personal experience and opinion of the author and does not reflect the official position of Microsoft or Bing. The author and Microsoft are not responsible for any damages or losses that may result from following the instructions or using the tools mentioned in this article. Always backup your data and system before making any changes, and use caution when modifying the registry or installing third-party software.