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Overview

The primary-VDD.ps1 script provides a simple command to set the Virtual Display Driver as the primary (main) display in Windows. This is useful when you want to use the virtual display as your main screen.

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Features

  • One-command operation: Sets VDD as primary display with a single command
  • Automatic elevation: Self-elevates to Administrator privileges if needed
  • Dependency management: Automatically installs required PowerShell modules
  • Simple and fast: Minimal script focused on a single task

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Requirements

This script requires Administrator privileges and will automatically request elevation through UAC if not already running as Administrator.
  • Virtual Display Driver must be installed and enabled
  • PowerShell 5.1 or later
  • Internet connection (for first run to install dependencies)
  • Required PowerShell modules (automatically installed):
    • DisplayConfig v1.1.1
    • MonitorConfig v1.0.3

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Parameters

This script takes no parameters. It automatically finds the Virtual Display Driver and sets it as primary.

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Usage Examples

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Set VDD as Primary Display

.\primary-VDD.ps1

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Run from Command Prompt

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\primary-VDD.ps1

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Run from Batch File

Create set-vdd-primary.bat: 
@echo off
echo Setting Virtual Display Driver as primary...
powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "%~dp0primary-VDD.ps1"
echo Done!
pause

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How It Works

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1. Self-Elevation

Checks for Administrator privileges and elevates if needed: 
if (-Not ([Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal] [Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()).IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole] 'Administrator')) {
    # Relaunch with UAC elevation
    Start-Process -FilePath PowerShell.exe -Verb Runas -ArgumentList $CommandLine
    Exit
}

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2. Dependency Installation

Sources set-dependencies.ps1 to ensure required modules are installed: 
. "$PSScriptRoot\set-dependencies.ps1"
This automatically installs and imports:
  • DisplayConfig - For display management
  • MonitorConfig - For monitor configuration

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3. Display Identification

Finds the Virtual Display Driver by its display name: 
$disp = Get-DisplayInfo | Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -eq "VDD by MTT" }

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4. Set as Primary

Uses the DisplayConfig module to set the display as primary: 
Set-DisplayPrimary -DisplayId $disp.DisplayId

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Script Source

Here’s the complete script: 
# Self-elevate the script if required
if (-Not ([Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal] [Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()).IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole] 'Administrator')) {
    if ([int](Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_OperatingSystem | Select-Object -ExpandProperty BuildNumber) -ge 6000) {
        $CommandLine = "-File `"" + $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Path + "`" " + $MyInvocation.UnboundArguments
        Start-Process -FilePath PowerShell.exe -Verb Runas -ArgumentList $CommandLine
        Exit
    }
}

# Install dependencies if required
. "$PSScriptRoot\set-dependencies.ps1"

$disp = Get-DisplayInfo | Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -eq "VDD by MTT" }

Set-DisplayPrimary -DisplayId $disp.DisplayId

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Understanding Primary Display

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What is a Primary Display?

The primary (or main) display in Windows is:
  • Where the taskbar appears by default
  • Where new windows open by default
  • Where the Windows login screen appears
  • The display labeled as “1” in Windows Display Settings
  • The display positioned at coordinates (0, 0)

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Why Set VDD as Primary?

Common use cases:
  1. Remote desktop scenarios: Set VDD as primary to ensure remote sessions use the virtual display
  2. Headless systems: When running without physical monitors, make VDD the primary display
  3. Application capture: Some applications only render to the primary display
  4. Streaming/recording: Capture software may default to primary display
  5. Multi-monitor setup: Organize your workspace with VDD as the main screen

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Effects of Changing Primary Display

What changes:
  • Taskbar moves to the new primary display
  • Desktop icons may rearrange
  • Some applications will move to the new primary display
  • Login screen will appear on the new primary display
  • Display coordinates are recalculated (primary is always at 0,0)
What doesn’t change:
  • Other displays remain active
  • Application windows on other displays stay in place (usually)
  • Display arrangement in Settings

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Troubleshooting

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Display Not Found Error

Cause: Virtual Display Driver is not installed or enabled. Solution: 
# Check driver status
.\virtual-driver-manager.ps1 -Action status

# Enable if disabled
.\virtual-driver-manager.ps1 -Action enable

# List all displays to verify
Get-DisplayInfo | Format-Table DisplayName, DisplayId

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Set-DisplayPrimary Command Not Found

Cause: DisplayConfig module is not installed or imported. Solution: 
# Manually install the module
Install-Module -Name DisplayConfig -RequiredVersion 1.1.1 -Scope CurrentUser -Force

# Import the module
Import-Module DisplayConfig

# Verify cmdlet is available
Get-Command Set-DisplayPrimary

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Primary Display Doesn’t Change

Possible causes:
  • Multiple displays with same name
  • Display is disabled
  • Windows Display Settings are locked
Solutions: 
# Verify display is enabled
Get-PnpDevice | Where-Object { $_.FriendlyName -like "*Virtual Display*" }

# Check display status
$disp = Get-DisplayInfo | Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -eq "VDD by MTT" }
$disp | Format-List

# Try disabling and re-enabling
.\toggle-VDD.ps1
Start-Sleep -Seconds 2
.\toggle-VDD.ps1
Start-Sleep -Seconds 1
.\primary-VDD.ps1

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Script Requires set-dependencies.ps1

Ensure both files are in the same directory: 
Community Scripts/
├── primary-VDD.ps1
└── set-dependencies.ps1
If missing, download the complete Community Scripts package from the repository.

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UAC Prompt Every Time

This is expected - the script needs Administrator privileges to change display settings. Options:
  1. Accept the UAC prompt (recommended)
  2. Create a scheduled task with elevated privileges
  3. Use Task Scheduler to run at startup/logon

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Automation Examples

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Set VDD as Primary at Startup

Create a scheduled task: 
$action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "powershell.exe" `
    -Argument "-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -File C:\Scripts\primary-VDD.ps1"

$trigger = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -AtStartup

$principal = New-ScheduledTaskPrincipal -UserId "SYSTEM" -RunLevel Highest

$settings = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet -AllowStartIfOnBatteries -DontStopIfGoingOnBatteries

Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName "Set VDD Primary at Startup" `
    -Action $action `
    -Trigger $trigger `
    -Principal $principal `
    -Settings $settings

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Keyboard Shortcut

  1. Create a batch file: 
    @echo off
powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Scripts\primary-VDD.ps1"
  2. Create a shortcut to the batch file
  3. Right-click shortcut → Properties
  4. Set “Shortcut key” (e.g., Ctrl+Alt+P)
  5. Set “Run” to “Minimized”
  6. Click “Advanced” → Check “Run as administrator”

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Reset to Physical Display

If you have a physical display and want to switch back: 
# List all displays
Get-DisplayInfo | Format-Table DisplayName, DisplayId

# Set a different display as primary (replace DisplayId)
$physicalDisplay = Get-DisplayInfo | Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -ne "VDD by MTT" } | Select-Object -First 1
Set-DisplayPrimary -DisplayId $physicalDisplay.DisplayId
Create reset-primary.ps1: 
# Self-elevate if needed
if (-Not ([Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal] [Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()).IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole] 'Administrator')) {
    if ([int](Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_OperatingSystem | Select-Object -ExpandProperty BuildNumber) -ge 6000) {
        $CommandLine = "-File `"" + $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Path + "`" " + $MyInvocation.UnboundArguments
        Start-Process -FilePath PowerShell.exe -Verb Runas -ArgumentList $CommandLine
        Exit
    }
}

# Install dependencies
. "$PSScriptRoot\set-dependencies.ps1"

# Get first non-VDD display
$physicalDisplay = Get-DisplayInfo | Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -ne "VDD by MTT" } | Select-Object -First 1

if ($physicalDisplay) {
    Write-Host "Setting $($physicalDisplay.DisplayName) as primary..."
    Set-DisplayPrimary -DisplayId $physicalDisplay.DisplayId
} else {
    Write-Warning "No other displays found!"
}

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Multi-Display Configuration Script

Create a complete display setup script: 
# setup-displays.ps1
param(
    [switch]$VDDPrimary,
    [int]$Resolution_X = 1920,
    [int]$Resolution_Y = 1080,
    [switch]$EnableHDR
)

# Enable VDD
Write-Host "Enabling Virtual Display Driver..."
& "$PSScriptRoot\toggle-VDD.ps1"
Start-Sleep -Seconds 2

# Set resolution
Write-Host "Setting resolution to $Resolution_X x $Resolution_Y..."
& "$PSScriptRoot\changeres-VDD.ps1" $Resolution_X $Resolution_Y
Start-Sleep -Seconds 1

# Enable HDR if requested
if ($EnableHDR) {
    Write-Host "Enabling HDR..."
    # Check if HDR is already enabled
    $disp = Get-DisplayInfo | Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -eq "VDD by MTT" }
    $bpcc = Get-DisplayColorInfo -DisplayId $disp.DisplayId | Select-Object -ExpandProperty BitsPerColorChannel
    if ($bpcc -le 8) {
        & "$PSScriptRoot\HDRswitch-VDD.ps1"
    }
    Start-Sleep -Seconds 1
}

# Set as primary if requested
if ($VDDPrimary) {
    Write-Host "Setting VDD as primary display..."
    & "$PSScriptRoot\primary-VDD.ps1"
}

Write-Host "Display configuration complete!"
Usage: 
# Setup VDD as primary with 4K and HDR
.\setup-displays.ps1 -VDDPrimary -Resolution_X 3840 -Resolution_Y 2160 -EnableHDR

# Setup VDD with 1440p (not primary)
.\setup-displays.ps1 -Resolution_X 2560 -Resolution_Y 1440

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Checking Current Primary Display

To see which display is currently primary: 
# Get all displays
Get-DisplayInfo | Format-Table DisplayName, DisplayId, IsPrimary

# Or filter for primary only
Get-DisplayInfo | Where-Object { $_.IsPrimary -eq $true } | Format-List

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See Also

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