Overview

When reconnecting to a Softstream session from a different location, such as moving from the office to home, the multi-monitor layout may not update automatically. This can happen because the Softdrive session may retain the previous monitor layout from the original location.

The issue is usually resolved by manually adjusting the display position inside Windows Display Settings within the Softdrive desktop. This forces the display layout to refresh and correctly initialize all connected monitors.

Applies To

• Softstream Client
• Softdrive virtual desktops
• Windows 10 / Windows 11 guest operating systems
• Users with two or more monitors
• Users reconnecting from different physical locations or monitor setups

Symptoms

• One or more monitors do not display correctly after reconnecting to a Softstream session.
• The monitor arrangement does not match the current physical setup.
• A secondary monitor may appear in the wrong position.
• The desktop may not extend correctly across all monitors.
• The issue occurs after moving between locations, such as office to home, where the monitor setup is different.

Possible Causes

• The Softdrive session retained the previous monitor layout from the last connection location.
• The local workstation is using a different monitor count, resolution, scaling, or physical arrangement than the previous session.
• Windows Display Settings inside the Softdrive desktop did not automatically refresh the monitor layout.
• A docking station, external monitor, or display adapter may have changed the local display order.

Resolution

Before adjusting the Softdrive display layout, confirm that your local computer detects all monitors correctly and that they are arranged properly in your local display settings.

Follow these steps to resolve the issue:

1. Reconnect to the Softdrive session.
2. Open the Softdrive overlay menu.
3. Go to Monitors.
4. Select Show only Primary.
5. Wait a few seconds for the display layout to refresh.
6. If needed, go back to the Softdrive overlay menu > Monitors and re-enable the required monitors.
7. If selecting Show only Primary does not resolve the issue, inside the Softdrive desktop, right-click the desktop and select Display Settings.
8. Under Rearrange your displays, select Identify to confirm which screen is assigned to each monitor.
9. Locate the secondary monitor in the display arrangement.
10. Manually drag and reposition the secondary monitor to match your current physical monitor setup.
11. Click Apply.
12. If prompted, select Keep changes.
13. If the layout does not update immediately, disconnect from the Softdrive session and reconnect.

Expected Result

After adjusting the monitor position and applying the change, the Softdrive session should refresh the display layout and correctly initialize all connected monitors.

The monitor arrangement inside the Softdrive desktop should now match the user’s current physical monitor setup.

Troubleshooting

• If the monitor layout does not update, disconnect from the Softdrive session and reconnect.
• Confirm that all monitors are detected correctly on the local computer before launching Softdrive.
• Check if the local monitor resolution or scaling changed between locations.
• If using a docking station, reconnect the dock and confirm the displays are detected locally.
• Try closing and reopening the Softdrive Launcher.
• If the issue continues, restart the Softdrive virtual machine and reconnect.

Support

If the issue continues after following these steps, please open a support ticket at support@softdrive.co and include the following information:

• Computer name
• Number of monitors connected
• Local operating system
• Whether the issue started after moving locations or changing monitors
• A screenshot of the Display Settings layout inside the Softdrive session