Open new windows on main screen in KDE two-screen setup

Question

I am using KDE (with Kwin) on two screens. Often when I run a new application the new window shows on the second screen eventhough the mouse as well as the active window is on the main screen. How can I instruct KDE to always open new windows on the main screen?

score 35 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 17 '13 at 05:51

35

System Settings -> Window Behavior -> Window Behavior -> Active screen follows mouse:

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answered Dec 17 '13 at 05:51

warvariuc

2,335

score 19 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 22 '13 at 10:17

In the "windows behaviour" settings, you have to enable "Active screen follows mouse pointer". (approximate translation from French but I'm sure you'll find it).

This way, by default, windows will open on the current screen. (except some rare specific apps like VLC which use the last used screen).

score 6 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 25 '12 at 01:38

Try System Settings - Display and Monitor - Multiple Monitors.

The setting Show Unmanaged Windows on allows you to select a display or use the display the mouse pointer is on.

I had this problem but only when I first started a session, anything I ran would always initially open on the second screen (which is a TV and usually turned off)

If you're having the same issue as me, I only got around it by creating a rule for the browser to save its position (Right click on title bar, advanced - special window settings - size & position, Check "Position", select "Remember")

Now when I log in if I open the browser first, it still opens on the second screen but the rule overrides whichever insane hidden setting is taking effect and forces it back to the first desktop, subsequent windows then open on the first desktop as well.

score 4 · Answer 4 · answered Oct 25 '21 at 01:02

All of the existing answers don't (universally) work (setting "Active screen follows mouse" does not solve the problem on my setup) or merely suggest workarounds. The following KWin extensions do precisely what is asked in the question:

always open on active screen (the one with the mouse cursor): https://store.kde.org/p/1617640/
always open on focused screen (the one with the focused window): https://store.kde.org/p/1618008/
always open on primary screen (the one set in the display settings): https://store.kde.org/p/1617641

score 2 · Answer 5 · answered Apr 03 '20 at 18:14

None of the above worked for me on Kubuntu 18.04, but there is a workaround: new windows seem to always open on the most left monitor. So, make your main monitor the most left in "Display and Monitor" and new windows will open on it. At least, for me it worked.

score 2 · Answer 6 · answered Aug 12 '20 at 16:06

2

On KDE Plasma 5.19.4: System Settings > Window Management > Window Behaviour > Focus > Active screen follows mouse (check this option)

answered Aug 12 '20 at 16:06

Alex Z

21

score 1 · Answer 7 · edited Apr 20 '21 at 17:00

1

In System Settings -> Windows Management -> Window Rules you can add a new rule for your window position. Click to New..., open Size & Position tab, click to Screen checkbox and select Force for the monitor number which you want to be the default. Enter your rule name and save.

edited Apr 20 '21 at 17:00

karel

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answered Apr 19 '21 at 18:18

Krasnilyev

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score 0 · Answer 8 · answered May 17 '23 at 11:49

0

You can also access these settings in the application Window: Right Click on the Title bar -> More actions -> Application Specific Settings -> check screen , choose force , and choose the screen number that you prefer

answered May 17 '23 at 11:49

Sérgio

245

Open new windows on main screen in KDE two-screen setup

8 Answers8