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I have a problem similar to this question, where I have a dialog box (several, actually) that opens on a disconnected monitor. Since the dialog box does not have an entry on the taskbar, I cannot invoke the "move" command. Short of reconnecting the monitor, is there any other way to get the dialog boxes back to my main monitor? I'm using Windows XP, SP2.

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3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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  1. Use Alt-Tab to make the app/dialog active.
  2. Press Alt-Space, followed by the 'm' key (in english OS - Move, different letter in other languages).
  3. Hold the left arrow for a second.
  4. Move your mouse (without pressing any mouse buttons) until you see it.
  5. Press enter when you have it where you want. (Left click works as well.)

If the dialog is modal (like an open file dialog), it should get focus when the main app is selected, even if it doesn't have an entry on the taskbar. The Alt-Space followed by 'm' selects the move option on the window.

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  • Whoo-hoo! Awesome, except that (for me) for step 5 hitting enter does work, but right-click doesn't. Anyway, solved! Thanks!
    – Aerik
    Sep 10, 2010 at 23:05
  • You can press Enter or left click to drop the window.
    – Bavi_H
    Sep 11, 2010 at 2:24
  • I've also seen this happen many times. I knew the fix already, but it blows me away that such a glaring omission could be ignored between Win XP, Vista, Me, and 7. Why bring a window up on a screen that doesn't exist? Don't Microsoft's programmers actually use windows? Multiple monitors have been supported in Windows for, what, 15 years? </rant>
    – localhost
    Feb 25, 2014 at 3:39
  • does not works for me on windows 10
    – Wakan Tanka
    Jan 16, 2017 at 7:36
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It sounds like your computer still thinks the external monitor is attached, because when there is only 1 display, all dialogs should automatically be moved to that display. I would check in your display properties to make sure that your remaining monitor is the only one set up, and that the other one is indeed disconnected.

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  • I would think it would work that way too; that was the first thing I checked. Thanks though.
    – Aerik
    Sep 10, 2010 at 21:29
  • Does the problem persist even after a reboot?
    – nhinkle
    Sep 10, 2010 at 22:43
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Options include:

  • Move your main monitor to the second port, move them all back, then reattach.
  • You can also disable the second display completely in display properties
    • Right click desktop
    • properties
    • settings
    • Dropdown for display
    • Select second display and uncheck "extend my desktop..."
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  • Yes, I actually ensured that "extend my desktop" was unchecked already, thanks.
    – Aerik
    Sep 10, 2010 at 21:29
  • @Aerik - Sorry!
    – JNK
    Sep 10, 2010 at 23:54

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