Question 1

Is DisableMonitor safe to use on my Mac?

Accepted Answer

The README warns it can cause irretrievable damages, so use it with extreme caution and at your own risk. It's best avoided for critical systems or without backups.

Question 2

How do I disable a monitor using the command line?

Accepted Answer

Use the --disable switch with the monitor ID from the --list output, as shown in the console usage example. This allows scripting and automation for monitor management.

Question 3

What happens to open windows when I disable a monitor?

Accepted Answer

DisableMonitor automatically moves windows from the disabled monitor to an active one, a feature introduced in version 1.2 to improve user experience during display changes.

Question 4

DisableMonitor vs BetterDisplay: which is better for Mac monitor control?

Accepted Answer

DisableMonitor is free and simple but discontinued and risky. BetterDisplay is a paid, actively developed alternative with more features, support, and lower risk for modern setups.

Question 5

Can I change monitor resolution with DisableMonitor?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it includes resolution management features, allowing you to change display resolutions directly, as mentioned in the key features and changelog for version 1.4.

Question 6

How do I build DisableMonitor from source?

Accepted Answer

Building requires the OSX 10.6 Framework, as noted in the README, which might be outdated and difficult to set up on newer macOS versions without compatibility layers.

Question 7

Is there an alternative since DisableMonitor development stopped?

Accepted Answer

Yes, alternatives like SwitchResX or Display Maestro offer similar monitor control with active development, better support, and integrated macOS compatibility, though often at a cost.

DisableMonitor

What is DisableMonitor?

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