-1

I have an external display connected to my laptop. How can I have the external display show a different application than the one shown on the builtin display?

I have disabled mirror display but there doesn't seem to be any documentation about opening or keeping an application on the external display.

Edit: This is not about workspaces, so is not a duplicate of the workspaces related question as flagged by some users.

I have two applications running side-by-side in the same workspace. I just want to move one of them to an external display, so that both applications can each have more screen space.

6
  • 1
    Possible duplicate of Multiple monitors, multiple workspaces?
    – dobey
    Apr 12, 2016 at 13:59
  • Why not add the answer to the other question? If it is correct it will rise to the top regardless if the other answer was accepted. Apr 12, 2016 at 14:35
  • 1
    Your question is a duplicate of an older question. Asking the same question so you can answer it yourself, to gain reputation, is inappropriate. You should participate in existing questions by suggesting an alternate answer there, instead.
    – dobey
    Apr 12, 2016 at 15:06
  • It is not a duplicate, because I am not really concerned with workspaces, but to have different applications on different screens. I am modifying the question accordingly.
    – Sri
    Apr 12, 2016 at 16:11
  • Have modified the question and added images to the answer. Hope this clarifies why this is a different question and answered appropriately with the intention to share knowledge, not for reputation.
    – Sri
    Apr 12, 2016 at 17:27

1 Answer 1

0

My version is 14.04, and I use the standard desktop given by Canonical - Unity.

Using the workspace switcher, we can shift application(s) display to the 2nd monitor, by just dragging it.

Here's how to do it after connecting external display to laptop:

  • Enable workspaces enter image description here
  • Disable mirror display enter image description here
  • Open/Highlight (bring to front) the application window that needs to be shifted to external display enter image description here
  • Press Super + S enter image description here
  • Both screens are displayed in default workspace
  • Drag the application window to 2nd (right-side) screen - leave the remaining 3 workspaces untouched enter image description here
  • Click anywhere on builtin screen. Now the shifted application is seen in external display enter image description here
  • To switch mouse activity/focus to external screen, move the pointer beyond the right edge of screen, to bring it back to builtin screen move the pointer beyond the left edge.

PS: both screen and display to refer to the same thing.

3
  • This should be an edit - not an answer. P.S. the "standard desktop given by Canonical" is known as Unity.
    – user423626
    Apr 12, 2016 at 14:35
  • How is it not an answer? The question is "can I shift application to external monitor" and that question is answered!
    – Sri
    Apr 12, 2016 at 16:09
  • Oh, really sorry - glancing at it, it looked like an edit to a question. Unfortunately, StackExchange has no way to undo flags. Sorry.
    – user423626
    Apr 12, 2016 at 16:28

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .