A multi-monitor system comes in handy when you want to improve multitasking performance when working with multiple windows or applications. It also becomes less crowded. However, you need to configure it correctly to make it more practical.
Whether you are a gamer, content creator, or data analyst, this guide will show you how to set up dual monitors in Windows operating system.
- Connecting with cables
- Using the docking station
- Using the translator
Setting Up Dual Monitors on Windows 10
- Connecting with Cables
- Using the Docking Station
- Using the Casting Device
Windows 10 has various features and settings that support multiple monitors without using third-party apps and using familiar commands like Windows 7.
If you want to install two monitors on a desktop or workstation, or an external display on a laptop, follow the steps below to set it up.
Connect Using Cable
Before setting up a dual monitor configuration, make sure you have all the cables required to connect your computer to the monitor.
Pay attention to the types of ports you have on your computer, on the sides or back, depending on your PC. These include video signal via HDMI, VGA, DVI, or DisplayPort and power interconnect cables.
Do the same for your monitor, and if you’re not sure, check the make and model if you want to know how to connect a display. You can find ports on the back or bottom of your monitor.
Note. The video connection on your PC must match that on your monitor. If your computer only has a DVI connection and your monitor does not, you can use a conversion cable or special adapter.
The most popular and widely used display connection type supported is HDMI. You will find it on almost all TVs and most computer monitors that have at least one port of this type, so finding an HDMI cable shouldn’t be difficult.
Likewise, HDMI ports come in different types, including mini and micro HDMI for small devices, or standard HDMI port.
Older computers, however, may have VGA or DVI ports that use the metal pins on the cable to connect to your PC. Newer monitors do not support these types of connections, but you can try converting DVI to HDMI.
DisplayPort is not as common as HDMI, but higher-end laptops, comparatively recent computer monitors, and dedicated graphics cards may have this connection. There is also a USB-C connection on newer Android smartphones and recent MacBooks, and you can use this type with a monitor that supports USB-C input. Alternatively, you can purchase a USB-C to HDMI / DisplayPort cable.
Connect a cable suitable for both the computer and the monitor, plug the power cord into an electrical outlet, and turn on the monitor.
Create View
The next step is to customize the presentation display.
To do this, you are going to duplicate or extend your desktop screen with a second monitor so that Windows can recognize and use the monitor. In most cases, Windows will automatically detect and configure your monitor without your intervention, but follow these steps to complete the configuration.
- Go to your PC desktop and right-click any empty space.
- Select Display Settings.
- Scroll down to Multiple Displays and click Discover.
- For a wireless monitor, click “Connect to a wireless display” in the “Multiple displays” section.
A wireless monitor allows your PC or mobile device with Miracast capability to display our screen on your monitor via WiFi Direct. You can duplicate or extend your desktop wirelessly to a monitor and connect your mobile device via Dual Cast over Wi-Fi (depending on your devices).
You can also choose the order of monitoring by clicking “Define”. Windows will display the numbers 1 and 2 on each screen, so this will help you know which one is which.
- If you want your computer to be the primary display, go back to the Multiple Displays section and check the Make this my primary display or Use this device as my primary monitor checkbox.
- Adjust the orientation and screen resolution appropriately and save the new display settings by clicking Save Changes.
- Show the start screen only on your PC, not on a second monitor.
- Customize taskbar settings (right-click taskbar> Settings> Taskbar settings).
- Personalize your background image (right-click Desktop> Personalize and select images, themes or colors).
- Make sure your computer and monitor are connected, and then press the Windows + P keys on your keyboard.
- Choose from four options: Computer only, Duplicate, Extend, Projector only.
- Right-click the desktop and select Screen Resolution.
- Click Multiple Displays, and then click Duplicate or Extend to display the same image on both screens or extend your desktop across two devices. If you don’t see your monitor, click Discover.
- To make the screens match if they are not the same make and model, by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting “Screen Settings”. Go to the “Select and Reorder Displays” section and try aligning the orientation of the monitors on the desktop. You can do this by clicking and dragging the rectangles until they align properly.
- To stream your entire desktop, click the Chromecast icon in the upper right corner of your browser. We used Google Chrome for this tutorial, so go to the settings menu (three dots) and click on “Broadcast”.
- Click Sources just below the displays.
- Click Cast Desktop, then click the desired screen. Since these are two screens, you will need to choose the one you want to stream and whether you want to stream audio.
- Select the options you want and click Share. The screen will be streamed to your monitor via Chromecast, showing items including the taskbar and more. However, this does not mean that you can move open programs, windows, or applications between two screens.
Note. The main / main screen will display the Start menu, clock, taskbar and other applications, but you can place them on both screens by right-clicking the Windows taskbar> Properties> Show taskbar on all displays.
Personalize screen display arrangement
After connecting a second monitor and display, you can improve and customize it. You can do different things here, including:
Note. Windows 10 introduces a new Panorama theme that lets you stretch panoramic images across monitors. To do this, click Start> Settings> Personalization.
Click Browse to select a panoramic image. Click Select Fit> Range and you’re done.
How to use dual monitors in Windows 8 and 7
You can set up two monitors if you are using Windows 8 or 7. The steps may be slightly different from the steps on Windows 10, but you will still be able to set up two monitors in the end.
Setting Up Dual Monitors Using the Dock
The docking station offers an easy way to connect multiple peripherals to your PC, such as a mouse, keyboard, external hard drives, printer, and external monitors. It is more of a port replicator as it provides more ports that your computer cannot offer due to the limited number of ports to connect.
Most docking stations can connect multiple monitors as they have more video ports, and once connected to your computer, you can turn off its screen and use your monitor instead.
Set up dual monitors with a transmitter
You can also copy your PC screen to a second monitor or display using a casting device like Google Chromecast
There are many cool things you can do with Google Chromecast, including casting to two monitors from a video player, music or podcasts, your entire desktop, or even browser tabs.
Double your screen space
Setting up dual monitors is a simple process in Windows, but you can do it in a number of ways beyond the default method on your PC. Did you manage to set up two monitors using the steps and methods listed above? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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