Dual monitors and fullscreen fiasco, is there a work around?

If you have a dual monitor set-up and Lion and you have tried the fullscreen setting, then you know what is wrong.

Might as well not even have the second monitor...Lion completely takes over both monitors and only allows you to have one app up. Pointless, and no way to stop it. (A preference setting in System Preferences under Displays would have been the right thing to do).

I know I don't have to use fullscreen, but it was nice to be able to view a Quicktime movie fullscreen on one monitor while continuing to work on the other. Lion makes that impossible.

Anyone know of a work-around or fix for the fullscreen/dual monitor fiasco?

Thanks for all help.

Posted on Jul 21, 2011 2:07 PM

816 replies

Jul 31, 2014 8:15 AM in response to ikillbill

Thanks for the advice, this was just the problem I was having.

Jul 31, 2014 9:19 AM in response to ikillbill

You, my dear sir are a god.

Thank you so much =D

Sep 15, 2015 12:25 PM in response to donebylee

i have found away to fix the problem if you hit (command and enter) this will take it out of fullscreen mode and allow you to use all screens again only down side is no full screen. hope it helps

Jan 3, 2016 1:55 PM in response to Etienne Maheu

Thanks! Finally fixed this

May 4, 2016 7:58 AM in response to cloudsrest

I have the 'displays have separate spaces' enabled but it still does not work. Second monitor is just a blank, gray screen when going fullscreen. 😠

m1keluu

Level 1

4 points

Jun 1, 2017 8:20 PM in response to donebylee

In Sierra, to fix this issue, you'll have to enable "Displays have separate Spaces" under System Preferences->MIssion Control. Not sure about Lion. Hope that helps!

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Dual monitors and fullscreen fiasco, is there a work around?