How to Enable or Disable “Minimize Windows when a Monitor is Disconnected” on Windows 11?

Windows 11 allows you to manage open windows automatically if you have multiple monitors connected to your PC. You can turn on or off the “Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected” setting depending on your requirements, which is enabled by default on Windows 11. If you disable this setting, all windows opened on a monitor that gets disconnected will be stacked on the primary monitor.

In this risewindows article, we will guide you on allowing or preventing Windows 11 from minimizing open windows when you disconnect a display by built-in Settings and Registry Editor.

How to Turn On or Off Minimize Windows when a Monitor is Disconnected on Windows 11 Settings?

Step 1. Open the Settings app (Windows + I).

Step 2. Tap on the System category in the left sidebar of settings.

Step 3. Pick on the Display tab on the right side of the “System” category.

Step 4. Please tap on the Multiple displays tile to expand it.

Step 5. Finally, check (to enable) or uncheck (to disable) Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected for what you want on the right side under Multiple Displays.

If you uncheck the option, Windows 11 will no longer minimize apps from a disconnected display. Instead, it will move them to the remaining monitor and re-arrange them into a stack. To return the changes, you need to check the option.

How to Allow or Stop Windows 11 from Minimizing Windows when you Disconnect a Display using Registry Registry?

Do these registry steps to allow or stop Windows 11 from minimizing open windows when you disconnect a monitor:-

Step 1. Open Registry Editor.

Step 2. Browse to the following key in the left sidebar of Registry Editor:-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

Step 3. Double-click on the MonitorRemovalRecalcBehavior REG_DWORD on the right side of the “Desktop” folder to set its “Value data” to the following:-

• 0 = Allow Windows 11 to minimize open windows when disconnecting a display.
• 1 = stop Windows 11 from minimizing open windows when disconnecting a display.

Step 4. Hit OK.

Step 5. Reboot your PC to apply the changes.

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