How to Prevent Windows Terminal App from Opening New Tab on Secondary Monitor in Windows 11

Windows Terminal is a powerful application that allows you to access multiple command-line tools in one window. In Windows 11, the Terminal app has a new feature that automatically opens a new tab on your secondary monitor when you launch it. While this can be useful for some users, it may not be ideal for everyone, especially if you prefer to have all your Terminal tabs on the primary monitor. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to prevent Windows Terminal from opening a new tab on the secondary monitor.

Method 1: Change the Terminal App Settings

The first method involves changing the settings within the Terminal app itself. Here's how you can do it:

1. Launch the Terminal app by searching for it in the Start menu or by pressing Win + X and selecting "Windows Terminal" from the Power User menu.
2. Once the Terminal app is open, click on the down arrow icon located at the top-right corner of the window to open the drop-down menu.
3. From the drop-down menu, select "Settings." This will open the settings file in a text editor.
4. Scroll down in the settings file until you find the profiles section. Under this section, you will see a list of profiles for different command-line tools.
5. Locate the profile that you want to modify (e.g., PowerShell, Command Prompt, etc.).
6. Within the profile settings, find the startingDirectory property and set its value to "%USERPROFILE%". This will ensure that the Terminal app opens in your user profile directory.
7. Save the changes to the settings file and close the text editor.

Now, when you launch the Terminal app, it should open on your primary monitor instead of automatically opening a new tab on the secondary monitor.

Method 2: Change the Monitor Settings

If the first method didn't work for you or you prefer a different approach, you can try changing the monitor settings in Windows 11. Here's how:

1. Right-click on an empty area of your desktop and select "Display settings" from the context menu.
2. In the Display settings window, scroll down to the "Multiple displays" section.
3. Click on the drop-down menu under the "Multiple displays" section and select "Disconnect this display" for the secondary monitor.
4. Click on the "Apply" button to save the changes.

By disconnecting the secondary monitor, you are essentially disabling it. This means that when you launch the Terminal app, it won't have a secondary monitor to open a new tab on, and it will automatically open on your primary monitor.

If you want to use your secondary monitor again, you can simply reconnect it by going back to the Display settings and selecting "Extend desktop to this display" from the drop-down menu.

Method 3: Use a Third-Party Tool

If you're looking for a more advanced solution or want more control over your monitor setup, you can use a third-party tool like DisplayFusion. DisplayFusion is a powerful application that allows you to customize and manage your multi-monitor setup.

1. Download and install DisplayFusion from the official website.
2. Launch DisplayFusion and go to the "Monitor Configuration" tab.
3. Under the "Monitor Configuration" tab, you will see a list of your connected monitors.
4. Right-click on the secondary monitor and select "Disable" from the context menu.
5. Click on the "Apply" button to save the changes.

With DisplayFusion, you have more options and flexibility in managing your monitors. You can easily enable or disable specific monitors, set custom resolutions, and even create monitor profiles for different scenarios.

Remember to re-enable your secondary monitor in DisplayFusion if you want to use it again in the future.

By following the methods outlined in this article, you can prevent Windows Terminal from opening a new tab on your secondary monitor in Windows 11. Whether you choose to change the Terminal app settings, adjust the monitor settings, or use a third-party tool like DisplayFusion, you now have the knowledge to customize your multi-monitor setup according to your preferences.