How to connect second monitor

How to Connect Two Monitors?

It is common to find the screen of your monitor limited and small while working with various applications or multiple windows. In this situation increasing the size of the monitor display can be very helpful which can be done by connecting two or more computers. In this article, we will be describing the procedure to connect two monitors.

Setting up two monitors can be done in these 3 ways:

Connect using cables

Go through following steps to connect your monitors using cables:

Step 1: Determine the type of output port.
The first step is to determine the computer’s video output port.

Step 2: Arrange or Buy a cable to connect the monitors.

Step 3: Plug the one end of the cable into your computer’s output port(primary display).

Step 4: Plug the other end of the cable into the monitor (or the display you want to use as a second display).

Step 5: Turn on the monitor.

Step 6: Now on the Primary display go to Settings -> System -> Display.
IN MAC OS
Open the Apple Menu -> System Preferences -> Display -> Arrangement.

Step 7: Scroll down and click the “Multiple displays” drop-down box.

Step 8: Select a display option. Depending on what you want your second monitor to do, click one of the following options:

Setup Dual Monitors Using a Docking Station

Most docking stations can connect multiple monitors as they have more video ports, and once you connect it to your PC, you can switch its screen off and use your monitor instead.

Setup Dual Monitors Using a Casting Device

A casting device like google Chromecast can be easily used to cast the display screen.

Steps for using a google Chromecast are:
Step 1: To cast your entire desktop, click on the Chromecast icon at the top right of your browser

Step 2: Go to the Settings menu (three dots) and click Cast

Step 3: Click Sources just below the displays.

Step 4: Click Cast Desktop and then click the screen you want. Since they’re two screens, you’ll have to choose the one you want to cast, and whether or not you’d like to cast audio as well.

Step 5: Select your preferred options and then click Share.

Set up dual monitors on Windows

To get your PC to recognize multiple monitors:

Make sure your cables are connected properly to the new monitors, then press Windows logo key + P to select a display option.

If you need more help, here’s what to do:

Use the dropdown list next to the image of your desktop to choose how your screen will project across your displays.

Once you’ve chosen your setup, select Apply.

You can change the resolution of your displays. However, we suggest using the recommended resolution to get the most out of your displays.

To get your PC to recognize multiple monitors:

Make sure your cables are connected properly to the new monitors, then press Windows logo key + P to select a display option.

If you need more help, here’s what to do:

Select Start > Settings > System > Display. Your PC should automatically detect your monitors and show your desktop. If you don’t see the monitors, select Detect.

In the Multiple displays section, select an option from the list to determine how your desktop will display across your screens.

Once you’ve selected what you see on your displays, select Keep changes.

You can change the resolution of your displays. However, we suggest using the recommended resolution to get the most out of your displays.

How to use multiple monitors in Windows

After you’ve connected your Windows 11 PC to external displays, you can adjust the settings for each one.

Before you start

Before changing settings for your external displays, make sure everything is connected properly. Here’s what you can do:

Make sure your cables are properly connected to your PC or dock.

Check for Windows updates. To check for updates, select Start, then enter settings. Select Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Tip: If you’re using a wireless display adapter, connect to an HDMI port on newer TVs, then wirelessly connect your PC to it. After connecting your wireless display adapter to your TV, go to your Windows 11 PC, press Windows logo key + K to open Cast, then select your wireless display adapter.

Rearrange your displays

You’ll see this option when Windows detects more than one display. Each display will be numbered to help you identify them more easily.

Identify a display

To see which number corresponds to a display, select Start, then type settings. Select Settings > System > Display > Identify. A number appears on the screen of the display it’s assigned to.

Detect a display

If you connected another display and it isn’t showing in Settings, select Start > Settings > System> Display > Multiple displays > Detect.

Arrange your displays

If you have multiple displays, you can change how they’re arranged. This is helpful if you want your displays to match how they’re set up in your home or office. In Display settings, select and drag the display to where you want. Do this with all the displays you want to move. When you’re happy with the layout, select Apply. Test your new layout by moving your mouse pointer across the different displays to make sure it works like you expect.

Change display options

After you’re connected to your external displays, you can change settings like your resolution, screen layout, and more. To see available options, in Settings, select System > Display.

Change orientation

Windows will recommend an orientation for your screen. To change it in Display settings, under Scale & layout, choose your preferred Display orientation. If you change the orientation of a monitor, you’ll also need to physically rotate the screen. For example, you’d rotate your external display to use it in portrait instead of landscape.

Choose a display option

To change what shows on your displays, press Windows logo key + P. Here’s what you can choose.

See things on one display only.

See the same thing on all your displays.

See your desktop across multiple screens. When you have displays extended, you can move items between the two screens.

See everything on the second display only.

Second screen only

Related topics

After you’ve connected your Windows 10 PC to external displays, you can adjust the settings for each one.

Video: Connecting a monitor

Here’s a video on the basics of connecting to an external monitor.

Before you start

Before changing settings for your external displays, make sure everything is connected properly. Here’s what you can do:

Make sure your cables are properly connected to your PC or dock.

Check for Windows updates. To check for updates, select Start > Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Tip: If you’re using a wireless display adapter, connect to an HDMI port on newer TVs, then wirelessly connect your PC to it. After connecting your wireless display adapter to your TV, go to your Windows 10 PC and select Start > Settings > System > Display, then select Connect to a wireless display.

Rearrange your displays

You’ll see this option when Windows detects more than one display. Each display will be numbered to help you identify them more easily.

Identify a display

To see which number corresponds to a display, select Start > Settings > System > Display > Rearrange your displays, then select Identify. A number appears on the screen of the display it’s assigned to.

Detect a display

If you connected another display and it isn’t showing in Settings, select Start > Settings > System > Display > Rearrange your displays, then select Detect.

Arrange your displays

If you have multiple displays, you can change how they’re arranged. This is helpful if you want your displays to match how they’re set up in your home or office. In Display settings, select and drag the display to where you want. Do this with all the displays you want to move. When you’re happy with the layout, select Apply. Test your new layout by moving your mouse pointer across the different displays to make sure it works like you expect.

Change display options

After you’re connected to your external displays, you can change settings like your resolution, screen layout, and more. To see available options, select Start > Settings > System > Display.

Change orientation

Windows will recommend an orientation for your screen. To change it in Display settings, go to Scale and Layout, then choose your preferred Display orientation. If you change the orientation of a monitor, you’ll also need to physically rotate the screen. For example, you’d rotate your external display to use it in portrait instead of landscape.

Choose a display option

To change what shows on your displays, press Windows logo key + P. Here’s what you can choose.

See things on one display only.

See the same thing on all your displays.

See your desktop across multiple screens. When you have displays extended, you can move items between the two screens.

See everything on the second display only.

Second screen only

Related topics

How to Add a Second Monitor in Windows

Double your screen space with relative ease

What to Know

This article explains how to add a second monitor to your Windows laptop or desktop computer. Instructions cover Windows 10, 8, and 7.

Connection Considerations

The first step in using a second monitor is getting it physically connected to the computer.

First, take a look at which ports your computer has. On laptops, they’re usually along the sides, but sometimes, you can find them on the back. Desktops always have them on the back.

Figure out what display ports you have. Some might be familiar to you, like HDMI. Others might be entirely alien.

Next, take a look at your monitor. Which ports does it have? The ports are usually on the back of the monitor. They’re also commonly on the underside of monitors too.

Select the correct cable to connect your monitor and your PC.

VGA and DVI: Older computers may have DVI or VGA ports. These connectors rely on a series of metal pins, which are usually on the cable. The ports, then, have a series of holes to accommodate the pins. VGA is a lower resolution standard definition connection. DVI is capable of basic HD. If you have a newer monitor, you may have difficulty connecting because support for DVI and VGA has been dropped by most. You may have luck converting from DVI to HDMI, though.

HDMI: HDMI is the most widely supported type of display connection. Almost all TVs rely on HDMI, and most computer monitors have at least one HDMI port.

HDMI might be the ideal option. It’s widely used, and you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a cable.

There are multiple types of HDMI cables and ports. Laptop manufacturers may opt for smaller mini and micro HDMI connections to conserve space and build a smaller device. In those cases, you’re still working with HDMI, and you can easily find cables with a micro or mini connector on one end and a standard HDMI connection on the other.

DisplayPort and USB-C: Things get a little more complicated with DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, and USB-C connections. You won’t find these as commonly, but dedicated graphics cards and higher-end laptops may have DisplayPort connections. Relatively recent computer monitors also support DisplayPort. As with HDMI, Mini DisplayPort connections save space on mobile devices, and you can find cables with Mini DisplayPort on one end and standard DisplayPort on the other.

You probably know USB-C as the connection on current Android smartphones, but it’s a fast enough connection to support a monitor. It’s also an option in recent Macbooks. If your computer only offers USB-C video output, consider a monitor that supports USB-C input. Otherwise, purchase a cable with a USB-C connection on one end and either HDMI or DisplayPort on the other.

Plug your cable into both your computer and monitor using a matching pair of ports.

Turn your monitor on.

Detect the Monitor in Windows

Now that your monitor is physically connected to your computer, it’s time to configure your Windows operating system to recognize and use the monitor.

In most cases, Windows will automatically detect and configure your second monitor without any prompting.

Windows 10

Each version of Windows has a slightly different process to enable and configure your second monitor. Follow the process for the version of Windows that’s running on your PC. Here’s how to do it on Windows 10.

Open the Power User Menu (Win+X) or the Start menu and select Settings.

Select System from the Settings window.

From the Display section, choose Detect (if you see it) to register the second monitor. There’s also a chance that the monitor’s already there.

Choose Identify below the monitors to see which one is which. Windows displays the monitor’s number on each screen.

The option Make this my main display, This is my main monitor, or Use this device as the primary monitor lets you swap which screen should be considered the main screen. It’s the main screen that will have the Start menu, taskbar, clock, etc. However, in some Windows versions, if you right-click or tap-and-hold on the Windows taskbar at the bottom of the screen, you can go into the Properties menu to choose Show taskbar on all displays to get the Start menu clock, etc. on both screens.

You can use the diagram of the monitors to re-arrange them. Select a monitor, and drag it into position relative to the other monitor.

If the two screens are using two different resolutions, one will appear larger than the other in the preview window. You can either adjust the resolutions to be the same or drag the monitors up or down on the screen to match up on the bottom.

Windows 8 and Windows 7

Open the Windows start menu, and select Control Panel.

In Control panel, open the Appearance and Personalization option. This is only seen if you’re viewing the applets in the default «Category» view (not the «Classic» or icon view).

Now, choose Display and then Adjust screen resolution.

Select Detect to register the second monitor, if it isn’t already there.

Press Identify to see the number associated with each monitor displayed.

Select and drag a display in the picture to reposition it in relation to the other one.

Change How Your Computer Handles the Second Monitor

Windows gives you a few options for how it will handle the second monitor connected to your computer. You can extend your desktop across both monitors, mirror them, or choose to use one and not the other.

Windows 10

From the Display setting screen that you arrived at in the previous instructions, scroll down until you see Multiple Displays.

Select the drop-down menu directly below Multiple Displays to show your options.

The menu expands to show your choices:

To extend your desktop in Windows Vista, choose to Extend the desktop onto this monitor instead, or In Windows XP, choose the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor option.

A new window opens asking if you want to keep your changes. Confirm to keep the monitor layout you picked, or select Revert to go back to the way it was.

Windows 8.1 and Windows 7

From the Screen Resolution page that you access the prior instructions, find the Multiple Displays option.

Select the drop-down menu next to Multiple Displays to show the available options.

Choose the option you prefer. Extend desktop to this display will stretch your desktop across both screens.

How to Connect Two Monitors to a Laptop

This article was co-authored by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Sam Browning. Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

This article has been viewed 20,894 times.

Using external monitors alongside your laptop helps keep you organized, gives you bigger screens, and greatly increases the size of your digital workspace. Depending on the hardware of your laptop and monitors, there are a number of ways to connect your setup. This wikiHow article will teach you how to set up two external displays with your laptop.

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About This Article

1. Check that your monitors have DisplayPort v1.2 or higher ports, Thunderbolt ports, or video-compatible USB-C ports.
2. Plug your monitors in.
3. Connect one monitor to the other with either a DisplayPort or Thunderbolt cable.
4. If you are daisy chaining with DisplayPort cables, connect a cable from your laptop to the DisplayPort In of the monitor that already has a cable in the DisplayPort Out port.
5. If you are daisy chaining with Thunderbolt or USB-C, connect either a Thunderbolt or video-compatible USB-C port on your laptop to one of the monitors with an open Thunderbolt or video-compatible USB-C port.
6. Turn your laptop and monitors on.
7. Adjust your display settings in Settings (for Windows), System Preferences (for Mac), or Settings (for Linux) as necessary.