I'm using an external display with a MacBook Pro. I do not want to use the external monitor as a mirrored display. I need to move the dock and the menu bar to external monitor. How do I setup the external monitor as main display?
The Dock is located at the bottom of the screen by default and the Apple menu bar is located at the top of the screen. You can connect to the external monitor using "Mini-DisplayPort to DVI Adapter" or "Mini-DisplayPort to VGA Adapter". Connect the monitor cable to the Mini-DisplayPort. You can now use the second display to create an extended desktop or mirror primary desktop. To configure multiple monitor click on Settings i.e. "Apple Menu" > "System Preferences" :
Fig.01: Rearrange the position of the dock and menu bar
Choose "Displays":
Fig.02: Drag the white rectangle to move the menu bar to the external display
The display will flickers and may goes black while refreshing the arrangement.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
for the Menu u can use second bar, which brings the whole bar to the second screen.
CL
But my menu bar didn’t move, only my dock moves, did anyone else have this problem?
HYes – I have this problem as well, and the answer above doesn’t handle it. I want to edit the docs on the external screen and can’t figure out how to get the Menu bar up ther.
Oops – figured it out now, was reading the text not looking at the pictures.
If the dock is pined to the bottom it will move. If you keep it at the left or your screen it will always be at left of both screens (ie: your desktop is both screens together).
Where I wanted it was the left of the right monitor – which is actually in the “center” of the display when both monitors are viewed as one large desktop.
Apparently I cannot do that.
Mate, thanks so much for this! My 2013″ mbp was running super slow in external LCD screen but ok with the laptop by itself or hooked up to the LCD whilst the laptop screen was also in use. Was annoyed that the dock was on the laptop and not on the LCD, this has now made my LCD easy to use as the main screen again! I still don’t know why my laptop is running slow if I run the LCD as the only primary screen tho.
Whoops i meant 2010 13″ mbp
THANK YOU!
I have 3 externals with my MPB and a hengedock. Could not figure out how to move the dock once I closed the lid.
Much thanks!
It worked perfectly for me.
Is there a way to put the menu bar on both the external monitor and the MBP’s monitor, so I do not have to open it from just one?
I have this same question – Trevor did you find out?
No. However, you can mirror the display.
I’m a pretty savvy Mac user but couldn’t figure this one out – simple when you know the trick. Thanks very much for sharing this how to!
this might come in handy as well: http://andrebaumeier.github.io/osx-dock-location/
it reacts on changing displays and offers you to switch the dock position