Boost Productivity with UltraMon — Tips, Tricks, and SetupUltraMon is a powerful utility designed to improve productivity for users with multi-monitor setups. It adds features that Windows doesn’t provide natively or makes existing features easier to use. This article explains what UltraMon does, why it helps, how to set it up, and practical tips and tricks to get the most from it.
What is UltraMon and why use it?
UltraMon is a third-party multi-monitor management tool for Windows that provides window management, taskbar enhancements, display profiles, mirroring, and customizable shortcuts. If you work with multiple monitors—whether for coding, design, trading, data analysis, or general multitasking—UltraMon reduces friction when moving windows, managing full-screen apps, and keeping a consistent workspace across sessions.
Key benefits
- Simplifies window movement between monitors
- Provides a taskbar on each monitor
- Saves and restores display configurations
- Enables quick mirroring and display control
System requirements and installation
UltraMon supports modern versions of Windows. Check the developer’s site for the latest compatibility notes, but generally it runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
How to install:
- Download UltraMon from the official website.
- Run the installer and follow prompts (administrator rights required).
- Reboot if prompted.
Activation: UltraMon is shareware — you can try it, then purchase a license to continue using the full feature set.
Basic setup and preferences
Open UltraMon from the Start Menu or system tray. Important initial settings:
- General: Start UltraMon with Windows if you want features always available.
- Taskbar: Enable the additional taskbar on all monitors or choose which monitors show a taskbar.
- Shortcuts: Review default hotkeys for moving windows and creating new desktop profiles; customize them to your workflow.
- Display Profiles: Create profiles for different physical setups (home, office, projector) — this saves resolution, orientation, and primary monitor.
Tip: Place the UltraMon settings shortcut on your primary desktop for quick access.
Essential features and how to use them
Smart Taskbar
UltraMon can add a taskbar to each monitor showing only the windows on that monitor. This reduces clutter and helps you focus.
How to use:
- Enable “Show taskbar on each monitor” in Taskbar settings.
- Toggle grouping and button styles to match your preference.
Benefit: Quickly switch between apps on the same monitor without hunting across screens.
Window management and shortcuts
UltraMon offers commands and hotkeys to move windows between screens, maximize on a single monitor, or span across monitors.
Useful shortcuts (configure in Settings):
- Move window to next monitor
- Maximize window on current monitor
- Stretch window across all monitors
Practical trick: Map “Move window to next monitor” to a key combo you already use for workspace switching to make moving windows seamless.
Display profiles
Save different monitor arrangements (resolution, orientation, primary display) as profiles. This is especially helpful if you frequently dock/undock a laptop or connect to a projector.
How to use:
- Arrange displays as desired.
- Save profile with a descriptive name (e.g., “Home + TV”, “Office Dock”).
- Load profile when configuration changes.
Tip: Assign profiles to a hotkey or create desktop shortcuts for instant switching.
Mirroring and cloning
UltraMon lets you mirror a monitor to another or clone displays—useful for presentations or demos.
How to use:
- Use the mirroring tool to select source and destination monitors.
- Choose scaling/fit options to preserve aspect ratio.
Caveat: Mirroring can be GPU/driver dependent; performance varies with resolution and refresh rate.
Multi-monitor screensavers and wallpapers
UltraMon can set different wallpapers per monitor and handle screensavers across displays.
How to use:
- Open Wallpaper settings and assign images per monitor.
- Use the built-in slideshow or third-party image collections.
Productivity note: Use subtle, low-contrast wallpapers to reduce visual distraction.
Advanced tips & tricks
- Use command-line options: UltraMon supports command-line switches to load profiles or perform actions—useful for scripts that run when docking or launching specific workflows.
- Combine with virtual desktops: Use UltraMon for physical monitor control and Windows virtual desktops to separate tasks logically.
- Automate with shortcuts: Create desktop shortcuts for common actions (e.g., apply profile, mirror displays) and place them on a toolbar for one-click access.
- Manage full-screen apps: If gaming or running GPU-accelerated apps, test UltraMon features and adjust settings to avoid input lag or full-screen focus issues.
- Keep GPU drivers updated: Display-related glitches are often resolved by updating graphics drivers.
Workflow examples
Example 1 — Developer:
- Primary monitor: code editor
- Secondary monitor: browser and documentation
- Use UltraMon taskbar on each monitor, hotkeys to snap code window to left/right, and a profile for “Docked” vs “Undocked” layouts.
Example 2 — Designer:
- Large monitor for canvas, smaller monitor for tools/palettes.
- Set different color-accurate wallpapers, save profiles for “Color work” vs “Presentation” and use mirroring when presenting to clients.
Example 3 — Remote meetings:
- Primary monitor for video call, secondary for notes and documents.
- Use mirroring to show slides on an external display while keeping camera/participants on your main screen.
Troubleshooting common issues
- Taskbar not appearing on second monitor: Ensure UltraMon is set to start with Windows and that taskbar is enabled for that monitor. Restart explorer.exe if needed.
- Hotkeys not working: Check for conflicts with other apps (e.g., remote desktop tools) and adjust shortcuts in UltraMon settings.
- Display profile fails to apply: Update GPU drivers; ensure the profile matches monitor hardware capabilities.
Alternatives and when to choose them
If you need free built-in features, Windows now includes some multi-monitor improvements (taskbar options, snapping). Alternatives to UltraMon:
- DisplayFusion (feature-rich, similar pricing model)
- Windows built-in taskbar and Snap layouts (free, less flexible)
- Actual Multiple Monitors (another paid contender)
Comparison:
| Feature | UltraMon | DisplayFusion | Built-in Windows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taskbar per monitor | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Display profiles | Yes | Yes | No |
| Advanced window shortcuts | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Price | Paid (trial) | Paid (trial) | Free |
Conclusion
UltraMon remains a strong choice for users who rely on multi-monitor setups and want fast, reliable controls for window movement, display profiles, and per-monitor taskbars. With a few customizable hotkeys and saved profiles, you can significantly reduce friction and boost productivity across varied workflows.
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