I connected an external monitor to my MacBook Pro, but it doesn't open any programs. It Just sits there with a blank screen.  How do I get it to open programs and act like a monitor?

I connected an external monitor to my MacBook Pro, but it doesn't open any programs. It Just sits there with a blank screen.  How do I get it to open programs and act like a monitor?

Dear Jean:
It sounds like you are trying to get your external monitor to act as the primary viewing screen. For example it would have your Doc, Icons, Etc. In order to make the external monitor the primary screen you have to:
Open System Preferences.
Choose the Displays Icon
There will be several tabs to choose from pick Arrangement
Drag the toolbar to desired display
Let me know if this helps at all!
Lance

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