If you’re over your game minimising every time you click onto your second monitor, you’re not alone. Windows 11 with dual screens can be a bit tricky, but there are ways to fix it. Sometimes a quick driver update does the trick, other times you gotta tweak display settings or in-game options. The bottom line: with a few little adjustments, you can keep your game running smoothly on one screen while you multitask without it playing up and minimising like it’s got a mind of its own.
How to Stop Games Minimising on Dual Monitors in Windows 11
To stop your game from acting up whenever you click on your second monitor, here’s what I’ve found works best. It’s all about messing with drivers, display settings, and in-game options. After trying these, your game should stay put on one screen even if you’re bouncing around on the other.
Method 1: Update Your Graphics Drivers
Why bother? Well, Windows drivers can get a bit flaky or out of date, especially if you’re running two screens and playing in high-res. Updating your graphics driver can fix focus issues and improve overall smoothness.
When it’s acting up, go to Device Manager, find Display adapters, right-click your GPU (like NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel), and select Update driver. Click Search automatically for drivers. Sometimes that’s enough, but it’s even better to head to the manufacturer’s website (like NVIDIA driver downloads or AMD drivers) and grab the latest version. Even if there isn’t a new driver, a clean install from their site can fix focus issues. Note: On some rigs, you might need to reboot or do a manual uninstall before updating. Windows can be a bit funny about it, so keep that in mind.
Method 2: Adjust Display Settings
Why? Because Windows can get a bit confused about which monitor is ‘main’, especially if you’ve been plugging and unplugging or using multiple graphics outputs. Setting the right monitor as ‘main’ helps Windows remember where your game should stay focused and stops it from minimising.
Right-click on your desktop, select Display settings. Pick the monitor you want as your main (usually the one you game on). Then tick the box for Make this my main display. If you don’t see that option, your display might not be detected properly — try reconnecting or toggling display modes.
Side note: Sometimes, Windows’ detection can bug out after updates or driver installs, so your monitors might not show up right away. Resetting the display layout or rejigging the cables can help on those days.
Method 3: Disable Game Mode
Why? Because Game Mode is meant to optimise performance, but sometimes it does more harm than good — especially with dual screens. Clicking away can make Windows deprioritise your game’s focus. Turning it off can help keep things steady.
Head into Settings, go to Gaming, then Game Mode. Turn it off. It’s a bit funny how Windows’ built-in ‘optimiser’ can actually mess with multi-screen setups.
Method 4: Switch to Borderless Windowed Mode
Why? Because some games in full-screen mode lose focus when you click elsewhere. Borderless windowed mode keeps the game looking full-screen but behaves more like an app window. Moving your cursor between screens without minising is way easier.
In your game’s display settings, look for display mode options and select Borderless Windowed. If you can’t find it, do a quick Google or check the forums — sometimes, you might need to use console commands or edit config files. Tip: Some older games don’t have this option. In those cases, third-party apps like Borderless Gaming can do the trick.
Method 5: Enable Focus Assist
Why? Because notifications or popups can steal focus or cause Windows to think you’re clicking elsewhere, which makes your game minimise or shift focus. Turning on Focus Assist reduces the distractions.
Go to Settings, select System, then Focus Assist. Set it to Priority only or Alarms only during your gaming sessions. You can even customise the priority list so important notifications get through, and the rest stay quiet. This way, your game stays undisturbed.
Extra tip: Sometimes, a quick reboot after these changes helps lock everything in place. Windows can be stubborn about dual monitors, so don’t be surprised if you need to restart to get it all sorted.
Tips to Stop Games Minimising on Dual Monitors Windows 11
- Match the refresh rates across your monitors; flickering can bug the focus and cause minimising.
- Keep Windows updated — those cumulative updates often fix dual monitor issues.
- Close unnecessary background apps; less clutter means fewer hiccups.
- Use third-party tools like DisplayFusion or Winhance to get better control over multi-monitor stuff.
- If it’s still a pain, consider upgrading your GPU — newer cards handle multi-screen gaming way better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my game minimise when I click on my second monitor?
This usually happens because the game is running full-screen, which loses focus once you click somewhere else. Switching it over to borderless windowed mode generally sorts it out.
Will these tips hurt my game’s performance?
Not really — in fact, turning off Game Mode and tweaking display settings can sometimes give a little boost. Just avoid overdoing it or using too many third-party tools, ’cause that could introduce some drama.
What if my game doesn’t have borderless windowed mode?
Then you might want to try software like Borderless Gaming or Winstick. They can force borderless window mode on a lot of games.
Can I still turn on Game Mode with dual monitors?
Yeah, but it’s a bit hit and miss. Usually, turning it off for gaming with dual screens gives better focus control.
When should I update my graphics drivers?
Check monthly, or if you notice weird graphics bugs. New drivers can fix focus issues and improve stability, so don’t leave it too long.
Summary
- Update your graphics drivers regularly to stay compatible
- Set your main monitor correctly in display settings
- Turn off Game Mode to keep focus stable
- Switch games to borderless windowed mode if you can
- Use Focus Assist to cut out notifications and distractions
Conclusion
Dealing with dual monitors and gaming can be a bit frustrating, but it’s definitely doable. Windows can be a bit fussy sometimes, and other times it’s just a matter of tweaking a few little settings. By updating your drivers, setting the main display properly, and switching games to borderless mode, your game should stay put even when you’re clicking around on the second screen. Once everything’s running smoothly, it’s pretty satisfying. Hopefully, these tips save you hours of mucking about and help you focus on the real stuff — gaming or multitasking without getting interrupted all the time.