How can I manage applications on another display when using Windows 7 multi-monitor?

Question

I have a media computer running Windows 7 hooked up to a projector as the primary display. I've hooked up a cheap secondary monitor so I can play music and do other simple tasks without turning on the projector (waiting for it to warm up, wearing out the expensive bulb, etc.).

I have it set up as a secondary monitor. I'd like to duplicate displays, but the secondary monitor doesn't support the projector's resolution. I can extend the desktop across both displays, but when the projector is turned off I can't easily access applications running on that display.

I know how to use the Win+Left / Win+Right buttons to move a focused application, but that will hopelessly confuse my wife and kids. How would you recommend managing applications from the secondary monitor when the primary is turned off - bringing them to the secondary monitor so I can change music on Pandora, etc.? Is there a (preferably free or cheap) utility you'd recommend?

Answer 1

Check out Borderline

http://www.taenarum.com/software/Borderline.html

Answer 2

That's a tricky one, as Windows doesn't know if the monitor is just 'off' or not.

Check out Realtime Soft's UltraMon, its got swappable monitor profiles and a bunch of other features that may help you accomplish what you're looking to do. Example features that may help:

Display profiles make it easy to switch between different desktop configurations. A profile stores the display mode, position and state (enabled/disabled) of each monitor, as well as which monitor is primary.

With UltraMon, you can create shortcuts that open programs on a specific monitor or at a specific position, and optionally change display settings before launching the application and restoring them when you close the application.

Answer 3

(I know this doesn't answer your question directly) but here's what I do:

I have setup VNC to control the PC. And use either an iPad or laptop to control it.

It works well, because with the iPad, you can stretch & zoom or the laptop if I want to move files around etc.

Answer 4

Also check out DisplayFusion. It offers similar functionality to Ultramon, but has a better price and seems to be under more active development.

Answer 5

Do you try to use hotkey Win+P. Pressing Win+P allows you to run the Windows 7 dialog to cycle through the different output options (clone, extend, second only, first only). So, you can quickly disable your projector and start to work on secondary monitor.