DisplaySwitch not working on non-administrative users

[Hoyt]

Howdy all,

 

We are just now starting to put Windows 11 PCs into some of our user's hands (waiting until the last minute is mandatory in our organization) and we just noticed that for some reason the DisplaySwitch function does not work when our teachers click on the shortcut on their redirected Desktops nor will it work when they press the Windows logo key and the letter P.  When they double click on the shortcut nothing happens.  If I log in as myself (Administrator) it works fine.

 

Has anyone dealt with this before?  It worked fine from XP all the way through Windows 10.  The teachers will often toggle between duplicate and extend mode depending on what is going on.

[psynegy]

Applocker perhaps? Can't think of other reasons why it would only work for Administrators. Check the AppLocker event logs.

 

Also, I know there were some changes in I think W11 22H2 to the DisplaySwitch executable; it no longer accepts the sensibly named command line parameters, so if your shortcuts used parameters you will need to update them accordingly:
 

1 = /internal
2 = /clone
3 = /extend
4 = /external

Example to clone:
DisplaySwitch 2

 

I'm sure there was a very good reason for this entirely unnecessary and un-documented obfuscation...

[Hoyt]

Thanks for your prompt reply Psy.

 

We have always just had a shortcut on the redirected Desktops pointing to the executable.  The target reads like this:

 

%windir%\system32\displayswitch.exe

 

Do you think we should be doing something different?  The above shortcut just brings up the menu and allows them to select which of the four modes they want.  You bring up an option that may work though.  I think I'll try three individual shortcuts with the mode switches that you just listed and copy them to an affected teacher's Desktop.  That just initiates the mode instead of bringing up the Display menu, which might work.

 

Thanks

[Hoyt]

On 07/08/2025 at 04:41, psynegy said:

1 = /internal
2 = /clone
3 = /extend
4 = /external

Example to clone:
DisplaySwitch 2

 

I created batch files with the options you listed and it worked fine.  Eventually one of the guys working with our new Windows 11 Group Policy did get the DisplaySwitch shortcut working, but your info saved the day for the first week of school.