When it comes to computer work, the default landscape mode for screens may seem like the natural choice. Whether you’re using a laptop or a desktop, it’s the familiar horizontal orientation that predominates. Consequently, the thought of rotating your screen to a portrait position might strike you as unconventional and counterintuitive when it comes to maintaining productivity.

Nevertheless, vertical monitors offer surprising versatility and a host of benefits that can enhance your workflow. They can alleviate eye strain by confining your visual focus to a more manageable width, and they can boost efficiency for specific tasks. In this article, we’ll delve into the compelling reasons for considering a switch to vertical screen orientation and provide a guide on how to achieve this using Windows.

Why would you need to flip your monitor?

Vertical monitors can be highly beneficial for various tasks and workflows for several reasons:

1. Reading and Writing: Vertical orientation is ideal for reading long documents, articles, or coding. It allows you to view more content without excessive horizontal scrolling, making it easier to read and edit text.
2. Coding and Programming: Many software developers prefer vertical monitors for coding. It provides a longer vertical code view, which can make reading and writing code more convenient, especially for long lines of code.
3. Productivity and Multitasking: Vertical monitors can enhance multitasking. You can have multiple windows open side by side, making it easier to compare documents or reference information while working on a primary task.
4. Web Browsing: When browsing websites, a vertical monitor lets you see more of a page’s content without the need for scrolling, which can be especially useful for content-heavy websites or research.
5. Social Media and News Feeds: For social media enthusiasts or individuals who frequently check news feeds, a vertical monitor can be handy. It allows you to see more updates or tweets on a single screen.
6. Graphic Design and Editing: In design work, especially for tasks like editing portrait photos or working on vertical layouts, a vertical monitor can provide a more accurate representation of the final product.
7. Reducing Eye Strain: Some users find vertical monitors reduce eye strain, as they limit the horizontal movement required to scan content. This can be particularly beneficial if you spend long hours in front of a screen.
8. Ergonomics: Depending on your workspace setup, a vertical monitor might improve ergonomics. It can help maintain a more comfortable neck and head position, reducing strain.

While vertical monitors may not be the best choice for all tasks, they offer a valuable option for specific professions and preferences. Users who work with documents, code, or certain design tasks often find vertical monitors to be a helpful addition to their setup.

While the conventional approach is to use computer monitors in landscape mode, vertical monitors offer a host of surprising advantages for both professional and personal tasks. They are not only efficient space-savers for your work desk but also enhance your productivity in various ways.

Firstly, vertical monitors occupy roughly half the desk space of their horizontal counterparts. This means you can easily incorporate an additional vertical monitor into your workspace or accommodate other essential work items and accessories.

Vertical monitors excel in tasks like programming, where analyzing lengthy code with shorter lines becomes more manageable in portrait mode. This minimizes empty space and allows for a more compact, text-packed view, making coding tasks more efficient.

Moreover, vertical monitors are well-suited for reading and editing extensive documents, eBooks, emails, and even spreadsheets with numerous rows but fewer columns. With more content visible on the screen, you’ll find yourself scrolling less frequently. Additionally, if your work involves portrait photos and videos, editing them on a vertical screen is notably more convenient.

A multitude of monitors available in the market offer the convenient feature of a 90-degree swivel, allowing you to effortlessly switch between landscape and portrait modes. If you’re in the market for a new monitor, considering this swivel capability is highly advisable. It eliminates the need for any additional hardware or adapters, simplifying the setup process.

However, for those who already possess a traditional horizontal-only monitor, you can still achieve a vertical orientation by using a desk mount. Amazon offers several well-reviewed options, including the North Bayou Monitor Desk Mount Stand, HUANUO Single Monitor Mount, and Hemudu Single LCD Monitor Desk Stand. Once you’ve set up your vertical monitor, you can proceed to connect it to your computer and configure the display settings through the Windows Settings app.

By default, Windows monitors are configured in landscape mode. Even if you physically adjust your monitor to a vertical position, your desktop will still be displayed in a landscape format upon booting your computer. To rectify this, follow these steps:

OK. OK! So, How do I do it?

In Windows Settings, go to System > Display settings.

1. Select your external monitor (labeled 1 or 2) under the “Rearrange your displays” section at the top.
2. Go to “Display orientation” under “Scale & layout.”
3. Click on “Landscape” and select either “Portrait” or “Portrait (flipped)” depending on your monitor’s position. If you picked the wrong orientation, simply click on the Revert button on the pop-up.
4. Select “Keep changes” on the pop-up, or let the pop-up disappear after 15 seconds to save your current orientation.