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Dell Display Manager 2.0 command line documentation
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DDM2.0.md

Dell Display Manager 2.0 Command Line

Decompiled DLL with ILSpy to identify various commands.

Most commands can be found in DDM2._0_UX.CmdBackground.cmdService_DoWork

Write commands can be prefixed with int:command to specify which monitor to send the command to.

.\DDM.exe /0:writebrightnesslevel 50

Read command output is only shown in the debug console.

Debugging Console

Used to show the output of various read commands

.\DDM.exe /console start

Commands

.\DDM.exe /console start Opens DDM Console

.\DDM.exe /readbrightnesslevel Reads the monitor brightness level

.\DDM.exe /writebrightnesslevel Sets the monitor brightness level

.\DDM.exe /readcontrastlevel Reads the monitor contrast level

.\DDM.exe /writecontrastlevel Sets the monitor contrast level

.\DDM.exe /readcapabilities Read monitor capabilities (in hex)

.\DDM.exe /readsupportedcontrols Read monitor supported controls (in hex)

.\DDM.exe /writecolorpreset Write color presets

.\DDM.exe /readcolorpreset Read color presets

.\DDM.exe /readorientation Read monitor orientation

.\DDM.exe /writeorientation Sets monitor orientation

.\DDM.exe /readmonitoractivehours Read monitor active hours

.\DDM.exe /writeactiveinput

.\DDM.exe /readactiveinput

.\DDM.exe /writepower

.\DDM.exe /writeosdlanguage

.\DDM.exe /osd

.\DDM.exe /readedid

.\DDM.exe /writeuc

.\DDM.exe /readmax

.\DDM.exe /readprivacy

.\DDM.exe /writeprivacy

.\DDM.exe /readfirmwareversion

.\DDM.exe /writevolume

.\DDM.exe /readvolume

.\DDM.exe /autocolorpreset

.\DDM.exe /swapvideo

.\DDM.exe /swapusb

.\DDM.exe /writesubinput

.\DDM.exe /writepxpmode

.\DDM.exe /writepxp

.\DDM.exe /readcontrol

.\DDM.exe /increasecontrol

.\DDM.exe /decreasecontrol

.\DDM.exe /writecontrol

.\DDM.exe /readpossible

.\DDM.exe /autosetup

.\DDM.exe /readmanufactureddate

.\DDM.exe /writemonitorpower

.\DDM.exe /readdisplaymode

.\DDM.exe /writeoptimalresolution

.\DDM.exe /readtiming

.\DDM.exe /readassetattributes

.\DDM.exe /log

.\DDM.exe /savediagnosticreport

.\DDM.exe /assetreport

.\DDM.exe /inventory

.\DDM.exe /surveyonly

.\DDM.exe /readdecodededid

.\DDM.exe /countmonitorsci

.\DDM.exe /monitornumber OR countmonitors

.\DDM.exe /usbpassthrough

.\DDM.exe /lockupdate

.\DDM.exe /noupdate

.\DDM.exe /screennotification

.\DDM.exe /lockrorate

.\DDM.exe /autostartup

.\DDM.exe /powernap

.\DDM.exe /colormanagement

.\DDM.exe /writeapplanguage

.\DDM.exe /telemetry

.\DDM.exe /writeealayout

.\DDM.exe /writeimportpermission

.\DDM.exe /displaymodel

.\DDM.exe /writeloglevel

.\DDM.exe /liveupdate") && ApplicationStartUp.Ota != null)

.\DDM.exe /rescan to refresh the connected devices -Thanks @rtxbae!

Some examples of using the utility on MacOS to enable picture by picture, thanks @sepl2604!

/Applications/DDPM/DDPM.app/Contents/MacOS/DDPM /writepxp pbp-2h-fill USB-C HDMI1 Activate 50-50 PBP

/Applications/DDPM/DDPM.app/Contents/MacOS/DDPM /writepxp off Turn off PBP

@rwp0
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rwp0 commented Aug 26, 2024 •
edited
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Thanks, and DDM.exe lives in the below path by default:

C:\Program Files\Dell\Dell Display Manager 2

@nsathya2010
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nsathya2010 commented Oct 7, 2024

I got the new Dell U4924DW which supports a feature called "Screen Partition". This splits the ultrawide screen into 2 virtual 27" Monitors which is great during Teams meeting to share the desktop.

Does anyone have an idea how to Switch this mode using DDM or CLI? I did not make it happen using DDM but maybe there is some way using CLI (Console)

@heinrichmichael Hey, Did you get the CLI for the same, I am kinda searching for the same. Too much physical navigation..

@rishubn
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rishubn commented Oct 31, 2024

I have two monitors connected. How to specify I want to switch the input of only one of them?

@easyrider
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easyrider commented Nov 25, 2024

I have two monitors connected. How to specify I want to switch the input of only one of them?

"Write commands can be prefixed with int:command to specify which monitor to send the command to."

@shanekm1
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shanekm1 commented Dec 18, 2024

This is awesome! Thank you very much. Got a U3824DW today and currently switch between PBP and off is working, but each command takes 12 sec to complete on my Mac M1 Pro.

Activate 50-50 PBP /Applications/DDPM/DDPM.app/Contents/MacOS/DDPM /writepxp pbp-2h-fill USB-C HDMI1

Turn off PBP /Applications/DDPM/DDPM.app/Contents/MacOS/DDPM /writepxp off

is there a way to control witch PC shows up on what side left/right? - i've tried putting HDMI1 as first parameter but doesn't help. Also, if you're on the right side of the screen in PBP and turn off PBP it goes to full screen of the first PC, and NOT the right side one. is there a way to control that?

@shanekm1
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shanekm1 commented Dec 18, 2024

This is awesome! Thank you very much. Got a U3824DW today and currently switch between PBP and off is working, but each command takes 12 sec to complete on my Mac M1 Pro.

Activate 50-50 PBP /Applications/DDPM/DDPM.app/Contents/MacOS/DDPM /writepxp pbp-2h-fill USB-C HDMI1

Turn off PBP /Applications/DDPM/DDPM.app/Contents/MacOS/DDPM /writepxp off

is there a way to control witch PC shows up on what side left/right? - i've tried putting HDMI1 as first parameter but doesn't help. Also, if you're on the right side of the screen in PBP and turn off PBP it goes to full screen of the first PC, and NOT the right side one. is there a way to control that?

@mannylouey2013
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mannylouey2013 commented Jan 10, 2025

Just wanted to chime in and thank everyone for their efforts in collaborating information. You've all added tremendous value to anyone who owns a DDM compatible display. Being able to switch between devices on my streamdeck is really useful.
Now, if only they had a feature that allowed increasing and decreasing monitor brightness by certain intervals, that would make for a perfect control!

@mictlan74
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mictlan74 commented Jan 11, 2025

Thanks a bunch for this, I've now successfully set up a way to use my Stream Deck to switch one of my monitors between my work Surface and my desktop machine, using a combination of this and MultiMonitorTool. The only thing I'm still trying to figure out is how to turn the KVM off and on via command-line. Has anyone come across a way to do that?

@shanekm1
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shanekm1 commented Jan 31, 2025

is there a way to capture output of some of these commends like /ReadActiveInput etc..to Console, not a file

@shanekm1
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shanekm1 commented Jan 31, 2025

is there a way to capture output of some of these commends like /ReadActiveInput etc..to Console, not a file

@tringenbach
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tringenbach commented Apr 15, 2025

https://dl.dell.com/content/manual4985061-dell-display-and-peripheral-manager-version-2-0-0-administration-guide.pdf has documentation for the newest version.

On MacOS, the commands look like:

/Applications/DDPM/DDPM /get -app=DeviceData

Or

/Applications/DDPM/DDPM /get -display=ActiveInputSource

@eliasschr
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eliasschr commented May 22, 2025

I Don't seem to get it to work on my Mac.
When I for example try this command:
/Applications/DDPM/DDPM.app/Contents/MacOS/DDPM /writepxp pbp-2h-fill USB-C HDMI
It just starts listing commands but nothing happens same for /Swapvideo
The only thing that does what it should is:
/Applications/DDPM/DDPM /get -app=DeviceData
Please help, I'm starting to hear voices telling me to throw the u4924dw out of the window.

@a-b
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a-b commented May 22, 2025

I experienced the same issue on my Mac. I tried to find help flag, but unfortunately, I was unsuccessful.

@eliasschr
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eliasschr commented Jun 5, 2025

I Don't seem to get it to work on my Mac. When I for example try this command: /Applications/DDPM/DDPM.app/Contents/MacOS/DDPM /writepxp pbp-2h-fill USB-C HDMI It just starts listing commands but nothing happens same for /Swapvideo The only thing that does what it should is: /Applications/DDPM/DDPM /get -app=DeviceData Please help, I'm starting to hear voices telling me to throw the u4924dw out of the window.

I found out that the structure of the command seems to have changed.
currently this works for me:
/Applications/DDPM/DDPM.app/Contents/MacOS/DDPM /set -display=ActiveInputSource -value=HDMI1
what I can't seem to figure out is how to control pxp or pbp with this type of command. there a -app=pxp but whatever I try none of the values work. Also I Can't find the Documentation anywhere, I contacted dell and will update when something comes.

@cihadturhan
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cihadturhan commented Aug 13, 2025

@eliasschr Thanks, I was struggling with it.
I made a shortcut to switch displays with a shortcut: control+option+command+0

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/c97aa72932504778ae4768654037eca6

@eliasschr
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eliasschr commented Aug 27, 2025

For anyone struggling with getting it to work on MacOS i published a Fork for macos with all commands!

@Joerg633
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Joerg633 commented Sep 14, 2025

Is there any way to switch the pip position to top left, bottom left / right?
pip-small / pip-large / off works great but always to top right.
The readme file for ddm2 isn't complete to that?
Using ddm not ddpm

@eliasschr
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eliasschr commented Sep 23, 2025

Is there any way to switch the pip position to top left, bottom left / right? pip-small / pip-large / off works great but always to top right. The readme file for ddm2 isn't complete to that? Using ddm not ddpm

As far as I know, thats not possible, but it should safe the last used position and reopen it there, maybe you can modify the last saved position and open it that way. Haven‘t tried that tho. Are you using windows or mac?

@Joerg633
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Joerg633 commented Sep 23, 2025

Windows

@CSHawkeye81
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CSHawkeye81 commented Oct 21, 2025

Has anyone seen the issue when starting up the app for the first time the screen is blank and does not detect your monitor? We have noticed that on quite a few U3821 and U3824 monitors, wanted to see if I should run a command line to force it to detect the usb-c monitor?

@rsanchez72
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rsanchez72 commented Nov 25, 2025

Here is the format I used for enabling and controlling placement of PBP: DDM.exe /writepxpmode pbp HDMI DP ~ please note that I had to roll back to the prior version of the application 2.3.022 as the updated version no longer supported the functionality correctly.

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