Turn off mirroring main display on external display by default

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Level 1

66 points

Turn off mirroring main display on external display by default

Is there a way to turn off the monitor mirroring by default when an external display is connected? What I want on my new Macbook pro (Snow Leop) is it to behave like my old PowerBook (Tiger): when I attach external projector, the projector gets the extension of my desktop and is NOT mirroring my main desktop.

The reason is: I only want to connect the external display/projector when publicly presenting something. But I also consider my desktop as a private space. So I don't want the public to observe my desktop while I am switching off the mirroring either by keyboard shortcut or by the preference pane.

So - is there a way to change the default behaviour when external display is connected?

MacBook Pro 2.4 Gz 13", Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Feb 11, 2011 3:24 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

BobTheFisherman

Level 9

79,327 points

Feb 11, 2011 6:58 AM in response to Bezvardis

System Preferences > Displays > Arrangement > uncheck "Mirror Displays"

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Answer 2

Bezvardis Author

Level 1

66 points

Feb 11, 2011 7:25 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

Thanks for your answer. However, with no external monitor attached there is no section 'arrangement'. This section appears only after an external monitor is attached. However, once 'mirror displays' is unchecked, it does not change the DEFAULT behaviour (only the current section is being influenced) - the next time the external display is attached, it is again mirrored and the same procedure has to be repeated. That is the reason why I asked the question. Once more: I want to change the DEFAULT behaviour.

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Answer 3

Feb 11, 2011 7:36 AM in response to Bezvardis

My external monitor and projectors always default to extended mode. I connected an external monitor, went to Preferences > Displays > Arrangement > unchecked mirror display. Now that is the default behavior whenever I connect an external display.

I don't know of any other setting. Someone else may.

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Answer 4

Bezvardis Author

Level 1

66 points

Feb 25, 2011 12:59 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

It seems that sometimes my display did not behave like you described. But since then my experience has been positive - the display indeed does use the extended mode by default after unchecking mirroring. Thanks for your answers!

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Answer 5

Oct 25, 2016 6:35 AM in response to Bezvardis

It was very helpful to know that the 'arrangement' section only appears after the external monitor (in my case, a projector) is attached. I couldn't figure out how to do it on my friend's computer after I had done it on mine.

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