How it works
- Pick the monitor by its name or the id KeyRoutines saved for it, not by Windows' display number, which can change.
- The monitor is still recognized when you plug it into another port, or when it comes back with a new Windows id but is the same model.
- It means that exact monitor: a stand-in such as "any second screen" never counts as connected.
- In a Wait until it reacts to display changes instead of checking repeatedly; the monitor it found, and how it was matched, go to later steps.
Routines that use it
Docked or not
A morning routine uses an If on Monitor connected: with the desk monitor it runs Apply layout "Desk", without it Apply layout "Laptop".
TV movie night
When the TV is connected, Set default audio device switches sound to it and Move and resize sends the video player there.
Wait for the dock
After waking, Wait until the office monitor is connected, then Restore layout brings back your saved workspace.
Good to know
- With no monitor chosen the condition is simply false.
Questions
- How can Windows detect when my external monitor is plugged in?
- KeyRoutines does it with Monitor connected for a check, or the Display changed trigger to react the moment it happens. Both name the monitor itself, so it still works on another port.
- Does it matter which port I plug the monitor into?
- No. The monitor is recognized by its own identity, so moving it to a different port or dock still counts as the same monitor.