Enable pen input on second display in "second screen only" mode. (Surface pro 2)

Question

I've noticed that whilst a second display monitor is connected to my Surface pro 2 in "second screen only" mode, touch input still works.

That is, I can touch the (now blank) SP2 screen and it will show up/ press buttons on the second display, however pen input does not work.

Is there any way I can get the pen input to work in "second screen only" mode too?

I need this so that when drawing I only have to focus on the one (larger) monitor with more screen space and have the surface display stay blank. (If I put it into duplicate screen mode, the Surface is restricted by the lower resolution of the second display and I get even less drawing space.)

Thanks

Answer 1

Strangely, the pen does work in the local account! I tried it in OneNote, start menu, everything works in the local account.

Also I forgot to mention, I've been using the Surface pen that came with the SP2. In my regular account, I get no input at all - can't even select things on the start screen/ can't draw in OneNote, nothing.

Answer 2

Hello Amyjolai,

I would like to try making a local account on your Surface.  Here's how:

• Swipe from the right and choose Settings
• Open Change PC-Settings
• Select Accounts
• Click on Other Accounts
• Choose to Add an Account
• Click on Sign in without a Microsoft account
• Select Local account
• Set up the account.

Try using the second screen only projection mode with the local account. Do you still have the issue with the pen in this account?

Please let us know.

Best Wishes,

Zack_T

Answer 3

Hello Amyjolai,

Thanks for the question regarding using pen input on a second screen only display with your Surface Pro 2. I'll do what I can to help you get this working correctly.

We tried to reproduce this on our end, and the pen worked fine. As such, we wanted to ask a couple questions. Are you using a Surface branded pen or a third party pen? Have you tried doing this in different apps? It was hard for us to see the input at first on the Start screen, but it became clear that it was working immediately in OneNote. Have you installed all updates while you have your monitor attached? We suggest doing this through Control Panel. Here's how:

• Open Desktop
• Swipe from right and select Settings
• Choose Control Panel
• Click on Windows Update
• Select Check for Updates
• Install all updates. Restart your Surface. Check for updates again. Repeat.

Please let us know this information. We look forward to your reply.

Best Wishes,

Zack_T

Answer 4

All updates installed but pen still doesn't work when in "second screen only" mode.

Answer 5

Hello Amyjolai,

Do you have any other computers associated with the Microsoft Account you use as the main account on your Surface? There may be some setting that is being synced from those other devices. One other question, does the pen input work when projecting as extend or duplicate instead of second screen only?

In any case, the local account seems to be a good workaround.

Let us know.

Best Wishes,

Zack_T