How to enable or disable remember window locations on Windows 11

Windows 11 can remember the window location based on the monitor connection, and here's how to enable or disable the feature.

Windows 11 multiple displays settings
Windows 11 multiple displays settings

Windows 11 has two settings that make it easier to work with multiple displays. The first option is the ability to remember the window locations based on the monitor location, so that the next time you open an app or a folder location, it will open in the last position you had it.

Then there’s the option to minimize windows when a monitor gets disconnected, so the windows will be easily accessible and not cluttering the primary display. If you have these two options enabled on Windows 11, you can disconnect a monitor knowing that all the windows will be minimized and then restore to their original position when you reconnect the display.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to allow Windows 11 to remember in which monitors apps were last open.

Enable multiple displays settings in Windows 11

To allow Windows 11 to remember the locations of windows based on the monitor, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  2. Click on System.

  3. Select the Display tab on the right side.

    Display settings
    Display settings
  4. Under the “Scale & layout” section, select the Multiple displays tab.

  5. Check the Remember window location based on monitor connection option.

    Enable remember windows locations setting
    Enable remember windows locations setting
  6. Check the Minimize windows when a  monitor is disconnected option.

Once you complete the steps, the next time you open an app, Windows 11 will position it on the monitor it was last open.

Disable multiple displays settings in Windows 11

To prevent the system from remembering the window locations, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on System.

  3. Select the Display tab on the right side.

    Display settings
    Display settings
  4. Under the “Scale & layout” section, select the Multiple displays tab.

  5. Clear the Remember window location based on monitor connection option.

    Disable remember windows locations setting
    Disable remember windows locations setting
  6. Claer the Minimize windows when a  monitor is disconnected option.

After you complete the steps, Windows will no longer keep track of which monitor you open an application.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.