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Connect 1 HDMI to 2 external systems

Anonymous
2023-05-18T06:50:08+00:00

I'm sure this has probably been asked, but my search-fu is failing me.

I have a laptop computer with one HDMI port on it. The external monitor that I'm currently using is on it's way out (which isn't surprising, since it's an eMachines monitor and that brand was retired in 2013). So I'm thinking about replacing it.

As of right now, I got a longer HDMI cable and have hooked the laptop up to my TV.

I am using Windows 11.

So, my questions:

  1. Can Windows 11 support more than one external monitor? If so, given I have only one HDMI port, how do I go about doing it? Do I just use a 1-in 2-out HDMI splitter and let Windows do the rest?
  2. How do I go about telling Windows to only use the 2nd monitor SOMETIMES? If I'm using the television for its intended purpose (i.e. watching TV), I don't want Windows to be trying to send things to it. This is less of an issue, more of a 'might be nice' kind of thing. Up until this monitor started dying, my normal process was laptop connected to a single external monitor, then using the TV as a TV, and I was perfectly happy to do that. If that's decided to be the best option, I will be fine with it.
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Display and graphics

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  1. DYARI BARHAM 33,356 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-05-18T07:26:42+00:00

    Hi Joel,

    I'm Dyari. Thanks for reaching out. I will be happy to assist you in this regard.

    1. If your computer has only one HDMI port without having any other display ports like VGA and DVI, you probably need an HDMI hub or switch (not Splitter) because, with an HDMI hub, you can extend your screen to more than one screen but with HDMI splitter you only able to duplicate the screen.
    2. Right-click on the desktop > Display settings > Scroll down to "Multiple displays" > You can choose how Windows handles multiple monitors. Change the setting to "Show only on 1" or "Show only on 2," depending on which monitor you want Windows to use exclusively. This option will disable the other monitor while the selected one remains active.

    Please let me know if you need further assistance and keep me updated.

    8 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Rodrigo Queiroz 77,250 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-05-19T21:22:34+00:00

    Hi Joel,

    I'm Rodrigo and I'll help you.

    The HDMI switch will not solve your case, the splitter will duplicate the display's image, and the switch will only select each display at a time. You can use a USB-to-HDMI converter, which will add an HDMI connection from 1 of your USB ports.

    If your laptop has a USB C port, there are good options for this adaptation.

    If you want to disable 1 monitor and keep the other active without disconnecting, you will find this option on Settings > System > Display.

    Select the display scroll down, select the dropdown menu under Multiple Displays, and select "Disconnect this display"

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2023-05-18T19:38:13+00:00
    1. Right-click on the desktop > Display settings > Scroll down to "Multiple displays" > You can choose how Windows handles multiple monitors. Change the setting to "Show only on 1" or "Show only on 2," depending on which monitor you want Windows to use exclusively. This option will disable the other monitor while the selected one remains active.

    Hm. Okay. Firstly, thanks for pointing to a HDMI hub instead of splitter. I use splitters quite often but not hubs.

    On the second question, my question was more 'how do I tell Windows to sometimes use displays 1 (laptop screen), 2 (external monitor), and 3 (TV), and sometimes to only use displays 1 and 2, but not 3? At least without unplugging it.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Rodrigo Queiroz 77,250 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-05-20T03:52:33+00:00

    USB C has a different connection,it is visibly different, but the regular USB adaptor will work too.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2023-05-20T03:50:31+00:00

    I don't know for certain if I have USB-C. This is what device manager says:

    As near as I can tell, they may be synonyms, but they may not. Here's hoping!

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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