Article Number: 000060112
What is Dell Display Manager
Summary: Learn about the features of Dell Display Manager (DDM) software. Learn how to install DDM for Dell monitors, and manage your display needs such as resolution, brightness, Snap-in multiple applications, setup sharing of keyboard, video and mouse, and so much more. ...
Article Content
Symptoms
Dell Display Manager (DDM) enhances everyday productivity through comprehensive management tools giving you optimal front of screen experience, efficient display management, and easy, effortless multitasking.
NOTE: Dell Display Manager is a software for Dell monitors and is not applicable for laptops.
Table of contents
Cause
NOTE: Certain functions are hardware dependent. Refer to your monitor user guide for information about the functions that are available.
NOTE: Screenshots in this document are for illustrative purposes only. Some functions may not be supported by your monitor.
Resolution
How to download Dell Display Manager
See the list of Dell monitors that support Dell Display Manager. If your monitor is supported by both DDM 1.x and DDM 2.x, then it is recommended to download and use Dell Display Manager 2.x.
In a multiple monitor setup both DDM 1.x and DDM 2.x can be installed on a computer simultaneously. However, it is highly recommended to uninstall Dell Display Manager 1.x and use only Dell Display Manager 2.x if all your monitors are supported by Dell Display Manager 2.x.
To download and install Dell Display Manager for your Dell monitor:
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Go to the Dell Display Manager page.
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Click the Download button next to Dell Display Manager Application.
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See the list of Dell monitors that support Dell Display Manager to find the supported version of Dell Display Manager.
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Using File Explorer (also known as Windows Explorer), browse to the location where the downloaded file is saved.
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Double-click the .exe driver installation file that you downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
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After the installation is complete, restart the computer.
Alternatively you can also go to https://www.dell.com/support/ddm and download the software from there.
Connecting your monitor
Connect your monitor to your computer as described in your monitor's user guide.
Figure 1: Connecting your monitor to a desktop
Figure 2: Connecting your monitor to a laptop
NOTE: The connectivity diagrams are for illustrative purposes only. See the monitor user guide for the complete information.
Launching Dell Display Manager
Before launching Dell Display Manager, go to Others in your monitor's On-Screen Display menu and ensure that the DDC/CI feature is enabled.
Figure 3: Enabling DDC/CI in OSD menu of Dell Monitor before using DDM2.x
Features of Dell Display Manager
Select the Dell Display Manager version for more details.
Dell Display Manager 2.x features
This section contains brief information about the features of DDM 2.x. For complete list of features and more details, see DDM 2.x user guide at Dell Display Manager 2.x Documentation.
NOTE: Some features may not be applicable to your monitor model. See your monitor user guide for information about the features that are available.
Easy Arrange
The Easy Arrange menu simplifies the applications window organization on the monitor. To use it:
- Select any of the predefined layouts to virtually divide the screen into multiple zones.
- Drag the application to your selected zone to position the application in the zone. The application snaps to the selected zone.
Figure 4: Easy Arrange Layout
You can also create customized layouts. To do so simply hover your mouse over the desired layout and click on the pen icon once it appears. Click and drag the partition line until the layout is customized to your preference. You can also save your customized layouts and use it in future.
Figure 5: Customized Layout
Easy Arrange Memory
This feature allows you to assign applications or even files to the partitions of Easy Arrange, save the layout to create a profile and then restore the profile.
Figure 6: Assign applications or documents to windows
You can even assign a time when you want the profiles to launch and the Easy Arrange Memory will launch the applications in defined layout automatically at that time.
Figure 7: Launch option
NOTE: Easy Arrange Memory usability may vary according to application type and launch behavior. Easy Memory works with general productivity apps such as Microsoft Office, Adobe, Web browsers and more.
Easy Memory might not be able to perform a window partition at launch if any of the following takes place:
- App displays a pop-up dialog box upon launch (i.e., login screen, error dialog, or unsaved files)
- App is launched in full screen mode
- Files are opened as individual tabs within the app
- Overlapping Easy Arrange layouts
Figure 8: Easy Arrange Settings to set personal preference
Application Windows Snap
Application Windows Snap helps you with placing a program quickly to any screen. When enabled in Dell Display Manager 2.x, dragging the application window triggers a floating menu that contains recently-used Easy Arrange layouts. You can drop the application to any one of the listed layouts to perform window placement.
Figure 9: Enabling or disabling application Windows Snap from DDM icon on status bar
NOTE: You may turn Windows Snap feature off when you want to use Span across multiple monitors.
Gaming settings
You can configure the Gaming menu that is available only on Alienware and Dell Gaming monitors. For more information, see DDM 2.x User guide.
Figure 10: Gaming menu - General settings
Figure 11: Gaming menu - Vision Engine settings
NOTE: Vision Engine is available on select Dell Gaming monitors only.
KVM
This feature allows sharing of keyboard and mouse between multiple computers. You can set up the KVM easily with USB KVM wizard.
The KVM feature is available when connected monitors support KVM functionality. DDM 2.x communicates with your monitor even when the monitor is displaying video from another computer.
Figure 12: USB KVM Settings
For information about how to setup KVM, see Setting up the KVM section of user guide available at Dell Display Manager 2.x | Manuals and Documents.
Firmware and software updates
With DDM 2.x, you can get automatic notification for new updates on monitor firmware and software.
Figure 13: Firmware and software updates
Color Management
DDM 2.x allows you to sync the color space of the monitor with associated International Color Consortium (ICC) profile.
Figure 14: Color Management
Remote Management and Control (for IT managers only)
DDM 2.1 comes with CLI commands for following:
- Asset management- Querying monitor inventory logs
- Display info and Monitor control- Query the current monitor settings and to set basic monitor settings such as brightness, color preset, volume, resolution and much more.
- Export & import settings- Export Settings command write all DDM settings for all currently active monitors to the designated file. Import Settings command reads all the settings recorded in the designated filename and assigns them to other monitors of the same model.
- Firmware updates- Deploy firmware updates across a fleet
CLI commands are restricted for IT managers only. Contact Dell sales representative for more information.
NOTE: For complete list of supported features and functionality, see the DDM 2.x User guide at Dell Product Documentation for your Dell monitor.
Dell Display Manager (1.x) features
Accessing Dell Display Manager (DDM) features and the most recent Easy Arrange layouts is easier than ever. Simply enter preset hotkeys to bring up Dell Display Manager (DDM) UI at the touch of the keyboard. Also, switch easily between your favorite Easy Arrange layouts and templates.
| Function | Hot Keys | |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Key to enable Dell Display Manager (DDM) UI | Ctrl + Shift + D (customizable by the user) |
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| Toggle between Easy Arrange layouts. | Page Up or Page Down or Click the > icon to move across layouts. |
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| Accessing five most recently used layouts | Ctrl + Shift + Home (customizable by the user) |
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A more intuitive way to configure monitor settings. Simply drag and drop the Dell Display Manager UI menu from one monitor to another. Allows users to control and change monitor settings easily in a multimonitor configuration.
Figure 15: Configure settings screen of Dell Display Manager
More customization options to view data based on individual preferences. Users can now customize up to 48 max zones easily and assign them accordingly.
Figure 16: Zone customization screen in Dell Display Manager
Figure 17: Name your screen layout in Dell Display Manager
Figure 18: Rename custom layout box
Viewing and using Dell Display Manager (DDM) in portrait mode is now possible. Dell Display Manager (DDM) Easy Arrange templates automatically switch to portrait mode when monitor orientation is pivoted vertically.
Figure 19: Portrait mode screen in Dell Display Manager
KVM Wizard to simplify the KVM setup. Follow step-by-step pop-up windows guide at the click of the KVM Wizard icon on the Dell Display Manager (DDM) user interface. (available on select Dell monitors with KVM capability only.)
Figure 20: Input manager in Dell Display Manage
Remote Management and Control (for IT managers only)
- IT managers can issue specific instructions using command lines to Dell Display Manager (DDM) to perform tasks within specific times to individual monitor or an entire fleet
- Remote Control capabilities (includes Power on/off, restoring factory defaults, changing monitor front of screen settings, optimal resolution, display modes, disabling OSD menu access, input switching).
- Asset Management capabilities (includes monitor asset inventory monitoring, generating diagnostic reports on usage hours).
Dell Display Manager Demo
NOTE: Some features are based on the specific Dell monitor capability.
Dell Display Manager 1.x
Duration: 06:45
Closed captions: English only
More ways to multitask
Up to 38 layouts: With Dell Display Manager’s Easy Arrange, you can organize multiple applications on your screen and snap them into a template of your choice, making multitasking easy and effortless.
Figure 21: Recently used templates in Dell Display Manager
Easy arrange can also be used to personalize with dual monitors side by side or expand desktop space by spanning across two monitors.
Figure 22: Dual monitors in Dell Display Manager
Figure 23: Arrange dual monitor view in Dell Display Manager
Seamless transitions: Rapidly restore previous application windows when reconnecting with Auto-restore, a feature that remembers where you left off.
Figure 24: Restore icon in the system tray
Figure 25: Auto restore window layout in the system tray menu
Input Manager:
- Enables easy switching across multiple inputs
- User can assign names to each input and define a shortcut key for quick and easy access to multiple connected devices - useful for programmers and gamers.
Figure 26: Using multiple inputs in Dell Display Manager
Optimal front of screen experience
Create your best work: Adjust brightness, contrast, and resolution directly through the software for an optimal front of screen experience.
Figure 27: Optimal screen resolution in Dell Display Manager
Easily optimize your view: Automode easily configures to your preset display settings as you multitask.
Figure 28: Preset setting by application in Dell Display Manager
Efficient manageability
Asset Report Creation: Allows IT manager to save and document monitor asset information.
Figure 29: Asset report creation
To generate a monitor asset report:
- Hold the Shift key and right-click the Dell Display Manager icon in the Taskbar.
- Select Save monitor asset report and save the MIF file.
- After saving the file, you can open it using the Notepad app.
For example, the log from a C2722DE included the following information:
Name = "ModelName" - "Dell C2722DE"
Name = "SerialNumber" - "Service Tag-xxxxxxxxxx"
Name = "UsageTime" - Value = "xxx hours"
Name = "OptimalResolution" - Value = "2560x1440 at 60 Hz"
PowerNap: Manage energy consumption using power management settings.
Dell Displays (Monitor) Models supported by Dell Display Manager
Dell Displays (Monitor) Models supported by Dell Display Manager (Windows Operating System)
Dell Display Manager 2.x requires Windows 11 or Windows 10 build 17763 or newer.
| Model | Supports DDM 2.x | Supports DDM 1.x Only |
|---|---|---|
| Alienware Monitors |
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| Dell Gaming Monitors |
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| Dell C Series Displays |
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| Dell SE Series Monitors |
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| Dell P Series Monitors |
|
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| Dell S Series Monitors |
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| Dell E Series Monitors |
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| Dell UltraSharp (U) Series Monitors |
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| Dell Ultrasharp Premier Color (UP) Series Monitors |
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|
Dell Displays (Monitor) Models supported by Dell Display and Peripheral Manager (For macOS)
MacOS users are supported through Dell Display and Peripheral Manager for select models. For more information, see Dell Display and Peripheral Manager for macOS.
Additional Information
Frequently asked questions
DDM 2.x works with Microsoft Windows Operating System (Windows 11, and Windows 10 build 17763 and above).
DDM 1.x works with Microsoft Windows Operating System (Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or 8, Windows 7).
For macOS, download Dell Display and Peripheral Manager. For more information, see Dell Display and Peripheral Manager for macOS.
Dell Display Manager (DDM) works only with select Dell monitors. See list below for details.
No. Both DDM 1.x and 2.x are same across all models. However, features that are offered may vary from model to model.
Yes. It can support up to 16 monitors (some high-end graphics cards can support up to four external monitors, with four such cards, Dell Display Manager (DDM) can support up to 16 monitors).
Yes, your Dell displays need to be updated to the latest firmware version to work with Dell Display and Peripheral Manager (DDPM) for Mac. To update display firmware:
- Browse to Dell Driver and Downloads.
- Identify your Dell monitor.
- Enter the Service Tag or Model Number of the Dell monitor and click Search.
- Alternatively, click Browse all products to manually select the Dell monitor from the catalog.
- Select the Operating System as Apple macOS (as shown in Figure 24 [English Only]) and Download the firmware package.
- Connect the USB-C or Thunderbolt cable to your monitor, run the firmware package, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the firmware update for your monitor.
Figure 27: Selecting your Apple OS in the dropdown on the Dell Drivers page
NOTE: Firmware update may take several minutes to complete. Disable sleep mode on your Mac when updating your monitor firmware.
Dell Display Manager (DDM) is not supported or tested on VDI Desktop.
Dell Display Manager (DDM) is compatible with all graphics cards from major graphics card vendors such as NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel.
- Enables easy switching across multiple inputs.
- Users can assign names to each input and define a shortcut key for quick and easy access to multiple connected devices - useful for programmers and games.
See Microsoft Knowledge Base article Uninstall or remove apps and programs in Windows
for information about how to uninstall programs.
NOTE: The program is listed as Dell Display Manager.
No, you can have different Dell Display Manager versions running on the computers. However, Dell highly recommends running the latest version of Dell Display Manager so that you get up-to-date fixes, enhancements, and new device enablement.
No, there are various settings in Dell Display Manager that you can configure. It does not need to be the same settings, and it is up to you which settings to use.
NOTE: For an easy arrange layout, you can select the layout that most suitable for each of the input sources to improve their productivity. For hotkey and other settings, it might be easier to keep the settings the same so that you can manage both input sources in a consistent manner.
Using accent keys such as â, ê, î, ô, and û may result in ^^a, ^^e, ^^i, ^^o, and ^^u instead.
This issue has been fixed. Download and install the latest DDM version (Ver 2.1.0.45 or newer).
Article Properties
Affected Product
Alienware and Dell Gaming Monitors, C Series, E Series, P Series, S Series, SE Series, UltraSharp Premier (UP) Series, UltraSharp (U) Series, Dell Display Manager 2.x, Dell Webcam WB7022
Last Published Date
07 Feb 2023
Version
40
Article Type
Solution