connecting MacBook to projector and keeping MacBook as the ‘main’ monitor

[danny klim]

Hi I have a MacBook and am starting to sometimes connect it to a projector (via hdmi or airplay with an apple tv) to use it as a second, separate display (not mirrored). It works well except that every time that i connect the projector via hdmi or airplay, it always moves all my windows from the MacBook to the monitor or projector and also moves all my basic system functionality (like my dock, volume indicators, login screen, new windows that i open, etc) to the projector.

I want to make it so that basically everything stays on my MacBook screen, including most of the windows and all of the basic system functionality. The only thing that i want to use on the projector is one or two browser windows in chrome or firefox so that i can watch videos on the projector while working on the MacBook.

How can i make it work like this?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[mj_]

Two steps:

1) in the display settings drag the tiny bar at the top of the iconized display to your main screen.
2) move the mouse cursor to the very bottom of your main screen and leave it there for a second or two. The dock should now move over from the projector screen to your MacBook screen.