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ZDNET Highlights
- Positioning your monitor vertically is an easy and effective way to increase your workflow, as it enables you to view more content at once, reducing the need for constant scrolling.
- Windows 11 allows users to rotate their screen through system settings, and third-party tools also enable display adjustments through keyboard shortcuts.
- This guide teaches you easy ways to rotate your monitor, as well as give tips on recommended displays.
Changing a computer monitor from landscape position to portrait position may seem awkward at first. After all, a horizontal display allows you to see more content on the screen, plus it’s a more familiar experience. However, there are some situations where flipping your screen vertically is actually useful.
For example, programmers often prefer this orientation because it lets them see more lines of code without needing to scroll. Writers, like me, appreciate this mode, as it makes it easier to read and create documents.
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Vertical monitors can also free up physical desk space and help with multitasking. You can layer web pages and apps like Slack on top of each other to improve readability. I’ve seen comments online claiming that a portrait-aligned screen is better ergonomically. This may be true in some scenarios, although there is a limit to the size. I’ll explain more about this later, but first, let’s learn how to rotate your monitor.
How to rotate monitor on Windows 11 PC
1. Via the Settings menu
The easiest way to rotate your monitor in Windows 11 is through the Settings menu.
Launch Settings > System > Display > Scale and Layout > Click the Display Orientation drop-down menu. By default, it’s set to Landscape, but you can choose Portrait to flip the screen 90 degrees to the left. It also has landscape (flipped) and portrait (flipped) options. The first turns the screen upside down while the second flips the screen 90 degrees to the right.
HP Omen 27K monitor turned over on its side
Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
When you make a change, a small confirmation window will appear asking if you want to keep the new direction. You can either allow the changes to take effect or revert. Additionally, if you have multiple monitors, you’ll need to select specific screens from the top of the Display menu.
2. Via keyboard shortcut
A limited number of Windows PCs natively support keyboard shortcuts for screen rotation. according to hpThis feature appears to be limited to computers equipped with integrated Intel graphics cards. If you have one of these PCs, the following is a list of keyboard shortcuts you can use to flip your monitor.
- Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow Key – Flips the screen 90 degrees to the left into portrait mode.
- Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow Key – Flips the screen 90 degrees to the right into portrait mode.
- Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow Key — Flips the screen upside down.
- Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow Key – Resets the screen to its original state.
HP says that if the shortcuts don’t work, you may need to enable them in your GPU’s settings. On a PC with an integrated Intel GPU, go to the Intel Graphics Settings app and look for “Rotation” or “Orientation.” There should be an option that allows you to create a custom hotkey configuration for the display.
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If this doesn’t work or you don’t have a PC with an integrated Intel GPU, there is a solution. Go to the Microsoft Store and download Screen Rotate, an app that lets you rotate your screen using keyboard shortcuts. The app gives users two ways to make adjustments: You can either click one of the five on-screen buttons or click the gear icon to enable the shortcut.
The image above shows the default settings. Clicking an entry allows you to re-engage the action with a different combination of keystrokes. You can’t create your own, but you have 78 options to choose from. The main limitation of Screen Rotate is that it serves as the primary display on the monitor set when the app is installed.
How to rotate monitor on Windows 11 laptop
The process on laptops is largely the same, with the exception of 2-in-1 devices. These devices have built-in motion sensors that detect when the device is turned on and automatically adjust the screen orientation to match the new situation. It is possible to stop automatic rotation. Go to Settings > System > Display > Scale & Layout, then toggle the switch next to Rotation lock.
Which monitor should you get?
Initially, I mentioned the size limit. If you want to position the monitor vertically for projects, you won’t want to get a monitor that is too large. Ergonomist Kevin Butler of PC accessory brand Steelcase urged people to be careful with tall screens. butler told business website entrepreneur That “as soon as you have to look slightly upward at your screen, your neck and shoulders go into neck extension… (which can lead to all kinds of problems down the road).
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Symptoms of an overextended neck include limited range of motion, stiffness, and pain. Speaking from personal experience, you don’t want this. So, if you prefer vertical screens I recommend buying a smaller monitor; A display of 22 to 28 inches would be ideal. Anything bigger and you’ll really have to crane your neck up.
my first suggestion would be dell ultrasharp 24It is a 24-inch Full HD monitor with a flexible hinge that allows it to rotate 90 degrees sideways, And it supports multiple color spaces for vibrant output, For gamers, check this out HP Omen 27KThis is a 4K gaming monitor that runs at a 144Hz refresh rate to ensure a smooth screen,
This is my favorite monitor of all time. And you road warriors, I recommend the HP Series 5 Pro portable monitor. This is not a traditional screen. To rotate it you simply flip it on its side. I tried it myself while traveling in September and it was a great achievement.
I’ve spent nearly a decade writing about consumer electronics and testing various PC setups in a variety of environments, from office spaces to home settings. As part of my work, I often experiment with different features to see how I can improve my workflow and whether I am able to do so. Rotating my screen to vertical orientation has helped me a lot in the past, so I wanted to share my experiences – both good and bad. An upright monitor isn’t for everyone, and it may not be suitable for every situation.
My goal, as it has been from the beginning, is to provide practical advice based on real-world testing, so you can make informed decisions about what is best for you. Keep in mind that these are not hard and fast rules. Think of these as a foundation on which you can build based on your needs.
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