Dell Display Manager (DDM) is a Microsoft Windows application used to manage a
monitor or a group of monitors. It allows manual adjustment of the displayed image,
assignment of automatic settings, energy management, window organization,
image rotation, and other features on selected Dell monitors. Once installed, Dell
Display Manager runs each time the system starts and places its icon in the
notification tray. Information about monitors connected to the system is available
when hovering over the notification-tray icon.
Alternatively, you may launch DDM by right-clicking
select Dell Display Manager from the desktop menu.
NOTE: Dell Display Manager uses DDC/CI channel to communicate with
your monitor. Ensure DDC/CI is enabled in the menu as below.
on the desktop background to
4 │ Overview
Using the Quick Settings dialog
Clicking Dell Display Manager's notification tray icon opens the Quick Settings
dialog box. When more than one supported Dell monitors is connected to the
computer, a specific target monitor can be selected using the menu. The Quick Settings dialog box enables you to easily adjust the brightness, contrast, resolution,
window layout, and so on. You can select Manual Mode or Auto Mode, and the
screen resolution can be changed.
The Quick Settings dialog box also provides access to Dell Display Manager's
advanced user interface that is used to adjust basic functions, configure auto mode
and access other features.
Overview │ 5
NOTE:
FeatureFunctionDescription
ick DDM
Qu
Access
Quick key to
call up DDM UI
Control
individual
monitor in
multiple
monitor setup
Ctrl+Shift+D
• Select the monitor from the dropdown box. If
more than one monitor is connected to your
computer, an icon appears on the selected
monitor for a second so you know which
monitor you have selected.
• Perform monitor self-test feature check.
• Move DDM UI to the monitor to be control led.
• Press Ctrl+Shift+D to bring up the miniUI under
the mouse pointer.
Setting basic display functions
Select Manual Mode that enables you to manually select a preset mode or select
Auto Mode that applies a preset mode based on the active application. An on-
screen message displays the current preset mode whenever it changes. The
selected monitor’s Brightness and Contrast can also be directly adjusted from the
Basic tab.
NOTE: When multiple Dell monitors are connected, select “Enable
display matrix control” to apply brightness, contrast and color presets
controls to all monitors.
6 │ Setting basic display functions
Assigning preset modes to applications
The Auto Mode tab allows you to associate a specific Preset Mode with a specific
application, and apply it automatically. When Auto Mode is enabled, Dell Display
Manager automatically switches to the corresponding Preset Mode whenever the
associated application is activated. The Preset Mode assigned to a particular
application may be the same on each connected monitor, or it can vary from one
monitor to another.
Dell Display Manager is pre-configured for many popu
application to the assignment list, simply drag the application from the desktop,
Windows Start Menu or elsewhere, and drop it onto the current list.
NOTE: Preset Mode assignments for batch files, scripts, loaders, and
non-executable files such as zip archives or packed files, are not
supported.
You can also configure the Game p
application runs in full-screen mode. To prevent an application from using mode,
assign a different preset mode to it.
reset mode to be used whenever a Direct3D
lar applications. To add a new
Assigning preset modes to applications │ 7
Organizing windows with Easy Arrange
Easy Arrange helps you to effectively organize your application windows on the
desktop. You first choose a pre-defined layout pattern which suits your work, then
you just need to drag the application windows into the defined zones. Press “>” or
use Page Up/Page Down key to find more layouts.
To create a custom layout, right-click on the thumbnail with a tiny triangle at the
bottom
and then click OK to set up your preferred arrangement.
right corner, arrange the numbers of rows and columns in the open window,
8 │ Organizing windows with Easy Arrange
You can apply different window layouts for each of the virtual desktops.
If you often use Windows snap feature, you can select “Ho
to enable zone positioning”. This gives Windows snap priority over Easy
Arrange. You will then need to hold down the Shift key to use Easy Arrange
positioning.
If you are using multiple similar monitors in an array or matrix, Easy Arrange layout
can be applied across to all the monitors as one desktop. Select “Span multiple monitors” to enable this feature. You need to align your monitors properly to make
it effective.
ld down the SHIFT key
Organizing windows with Easy Arrange │ 9
There are other advanced ways for the usage of Easy Arrange. Refer to the table
below.
FeatureFunctionDescription
Enhanced Ea
Arrange
NOTE: Some application requires a minimum effective resolution for its
window. The application may not fit in an Easy Arrange zone if the zone
is smaller than the required window size.
sy
Custom layouts
6 MRU (mostr
ecently-used)
layouts
On-the-fly
partiti
on resizing
Easy Arrange
youts for
la
portrait mode
• Save and name 5 customized Eas
Arrange patterns.
• Configure x*y patterns.
• Press Ctrl+Shift+Home to cycle among the
la
st 6 MRU layouts.
• Hold down Ctrl while resizing current EasArrange layout to adjust the size and
numbers of cel ls in a layout.
•Newly formed Easy Arrange pattern is
saved into the Easy Arrange icon position.
• Hold down Ctrl while clicking on a modified
layout icon to restore it to default layout.
• Portrait mode Eas
presented when monitor is rotated.
y Arrange icons are
y
y
Managing multiple video inputs
The Input Manager tab provides convenient ways for you to manage multiple
video inputs connected to your Dell monitor. This makes it very easy to switch
between inputs while working with multiple computers.
All video input ports available to your monitor
name as you like. Please save your changes after editing.
You can define a shortcut key to quickly switch
shortcut key to quickly switch between two inputs if you often work between them.
10 │ Managing multiple video inputs
are listed. You can give each input a
to your favorite input and another
You can use the dropdown list to switch to any input source.
NOTE: DDM communicates with your monitor even when the monitor is
displaying video from another computer. You can install DDM on the PC
you frequently use and control input switching from it. You may also
install DDM on other PCs connected to the monitor.
Managing multiple video inputs │ 11
Restoring application positions
DDM can help you restore application windows into their positions when you
reconnect your PC to the monitor(s). You can quickly access this feature by rightclicking on DDM icon in the notification tray.
If you choose “Auto-restore window layout”, your application windows' positions
are tracked and remembered by DDM. DDM automatically puts the application
windows into their original positions when you reconnect your PC to your
monitor(s).
To go back to a favorite layout, first select “Save current window layout” and
then “Restore saved window layout”.
You may use monitors with different models or res
apply different window layouts on them. DDM is able to know the monitor you have
reconnected and restore application positions accordingly.
In case you need to replace a monitor in a
save the window layout before replacement and restore the layout after a new
monitor is installed.
NOTE: You should keep your applications running in order to benefit
from this feature. DDM doesn't launch applications.
12 │ Managing multiple video inputs
monitor matrix configuration, you can
olutions in your daily routine, and
Attaching DDM to active windows (only
Windows 10)
For Windows 10, you can add the DDM shortcut icon to the toolbar region of active
windows. To activate this feature, right-click on the DDM icon in the notification
tray and choose Attach to active window from the opened menu.
Once you right-click the icon in the toolbar, a quick menu of DDM appears,
displaying options under Auto Mode and Easy Arrange for you to easily make
adjustments.
Managing multiple video inputs │ 13
Applying energy conservation features
The Options tab provides PowerNap energy conservation options and allows you
to customize keyboard shortcuts.
In the upper pane, you can choose to set the
level, or to put the monitor to sleep when the screensaver is activated.
monitor's brightness to the minimum
Other shortcut keys
You can define the shortcut keys for quick access to the following DDM functions:
• Pr
ogram shortcut key: to quickly open the Quick Settings dialog box.
• E
asy Arrange MRU shortcut key: to quickly apply the 6 recently used
window layouts.
plication window shortcut key: to launch a quick menu for options under
• Ap
Auto Mode and Easy Arrange.
14 │ Other shortcut keys
Troubleshooting
If DDM cannot work with your monitor, DDM will show the following icon in your
notification tray.
Click on the icon, DDM shows a more detailed error message.
Please note that DDM only works with Dell-branded monitors. If you are using
monitors from other manufacturers, DDM doesn't support them.
If DDM is unable to detect and/or communicate with a supported Dell monitor,
please take
1. Mak
2. Ch
3. Mak
4. R
5. R
the following actions to troubleshoot:
e sure the video cable is properly connected to your monitor and your PC,
especial ly the connectors should be firml y inserted into position.
eck the monitor OSD to ensure DDC/CI is enabled.
e sure you have the correct and latest display driver from the graphics
vendor (Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, etc.). Display driver is often the cause of DDM
fail ure.
emove any docking stations or cable extenders or converters between the
monitor and the graphics port. Some low-cost extenders, hubs or converters
may not support DDC/CI properly and can fail DDM. Update the driver of such
device if the latest version is available.
estart your system.
Other shortcut keys │ 15
DDM may not work with below monitors:
• Del l monitor models earlier than year 2013 and D-series of Del l monitors. You
can refer to Del l Product Support websites for more information
• Gaming monitors using NVIDIA-based G-sync technology
• Virtual and wireless displays do not support DDC/CI
• Some early models of DP 1.2 monitors, it may be necessary to disable MST/
1.2 using the monitor OSD
DP
If your PC is connected to the Internet, you will
a newer version of DDM application is available. It is recommended to download and
install the latest DDM application.
You may also check for a new version by righ
and holding the 'shift' key.
be prompted with a message when
t-clicking on DDM icon while pressing
16 │ Other shortcut keys
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