How to use multiple monitors with Microsoft Remote Desktop

Question

How to use multiple monitors with Microsoft Remote Desktop

MTaylor 51

I am using the Microsoft Remote Desktop client app. I have dual monitors on my remote workstation and dual monitors on my local workstation. How to I set up the client so I can view both monitors of remote workstation on both of my local monitors?

Sunil 31 Reputation points

2022-08-08T22:39:03.617+00:00

In my current set up, I have three monitors and two PC's - is it possible to use Remote Desktop and only select two monitors instead of three? I don't need to connect to all three monitors which essentially blocks me from viewing the content on my 2nd PC.

I see the option to "Use all my monitors for the remote session" within the "Display" tab, but wondering if there is the ability to select on monitors 1 and 2?
Latif Nygmet 0 Reputation points

2025-02-04T10:55:38.7833333+00:00
The following method worked for me well:

Win+P -> Secondary screen only

Run RDP with Display->Display Configuration->Use all my monitors for the remote session

After RDP is opened, return Win+P back to Extend

8 answers

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Sunil 31 Reputation points

2022-08-08T22:39:03.617+00:00

In my current set up, I have three monitors and two PC's - is it possible to use Remote Desktop and only select two monitors instead of three? I don't need to connect to all three monitors which essentially blocks me from viewing the content on my 2nd PC.

I see the option to "Use all my monitors for the remote session" within the "Display" tab, but wondering if there is the ability to select on monitors 1 and 2?
Latif Nygmet 0 Reputation points

2025-02-04T10:55:38.7833333+00:00

The following method worked for me well:

Win+P -> Secondary screen only

Run RDP with Display->Display Configuration->Use all my monitors for the remote session

After RDP is opened, return Win+P back to Extend

Answer 1

Anonymous

You can follow along here.

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/enterprise-mobility-security/using-multiple-monitors-in-remote-desktop-session/ba-p/246840

--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Regards, Dave Patrick ....
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows Server] Datacenter Management

Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees, and confers no rights.

Bobby Powers 21 Reputation points

2021-10-06T21:50:50.517+00:00

I think they're looking for the Windows Remote Desktop Client App not Remote Desktop Connections. I'm having this same issue with the App, if you install the desktop application you can use all monitors but the app from the Microsoft Store doesn't seem to have that functionality. Or I'm missing it too
Leonardo Gamez 21 Reputation points

2022-02-17T15:33:20.77+00:00

The question is about Microsoft Remote desktop and not Remote Desktop, they are different apps, the answer you shared is about normal RDP.
Amber Smith 0 Reputation points

2023-04-13T04:04:47.2033333+00:00

Are there any alternative instructions for an IOS MacBook? Currently have my laptop + 2x monitors, wanting to display the Remote Desktop across the 2x monitors only (not all 3x).
TJ DeMaria 5 Reputation points

2023-07-28T20:45:43.5733333+00:00

Not reading the question, and then giving the wrong answer, and then asking for people to select it as the answer so your rankings go up is probably the most infuriating thing that happens on these help posts.
Crystal Karlson 0 Reputation points

2023-08-03T17:49:29.88+00:00

Works perfectly! Thank you!

Answer 2

Shannan Shapiro 116

then on the desktop you are accessing via the Remote Desktop app from the link listed - right click for settings, and adjust the display settings to what you want (turn off default settings, and there are settings for all displays, select displays, single display....

Leonardo Gamez 21 Reputation points

2022-02-17T16:28:59.777+00:00

Thank you! That was the right answer! Kind of obvious on hindsight huh?
Shannan Shapiro 116 Reputation points

2022-02-17T16:41:00.177+00:00

Great to hear! Took us a bit to find the first time too.
VIREadmin 1 Reputation point

2022-06-01T17:40:14.54+00:00

Thanks for This, Really helpful, is there a way that we can populate this setting to all my machines in the environment via gpo?

Answer 3

Saurabh Badenkal 20 Microsoft Employee

There are two versions of microsoft remote desktop app

windows store app version
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9WZDNCRFJ3PS?SilentAuth=1&wa=wsignin1.0&activetab=pivot%3Aoverviewtab&hl=en-us&gl=US
windows desktop app version
https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2139369

The windows desktop app version supports selecting individual monitors for dual monitor setup

right click on remote desktop PC shown in the list of PCs on desktop app
click on settings and uncheck "Use default settings"
in Display configuration drop down choose "Select displays"
hit "Detect" & "Identify" if in case you don't see your monitors
and then just select which all monitors you want to use for remote desktop

Saurabh Badenkal 20 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2024-01-11T07:40:22.3766667+00:00

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/windows

source link for that download link for desktop app version
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/users/connect-windows?tabs=subscribe
Rama Charan Prasad 0 Reputation points

2025-03-20T11:51:39.9433333+00:00

unchecking "Use default settings" and updating settings worked me. Thank you
Rudi Hendrix 0 Reputation points

2025-04-07T19:46:58.15+00:00

This is THE answer! Thanks!

Answer 4

Andi Jones 11

There are several methods of remotely connecting a computer with multiple screens.
For example, here is one of them: Press Win+R on your keyboard to involve the Run window and type: mstsc.exe /multimon. The “Use all my monitors for the remote session” box will be checked automatically, but for this time only. Neither the connection properties nor your credentials will be saved on this machine. So if you plan to have more remote desktop sessions here, or this is one of your RDP servers, better go for one of the other two methods, see here https://www.helpwire.app/blog/remote-desktop-dual-monitor/ In addition, it is necessary to take into account other nuances, such as Windows versions on the connected computers, etc.

Leonardo Gamez 21 Reputation points

2022-02-17T15:36:24.947+00:00

Again, sorry, but this question is about the Microsoft Remote Desktop and not the RDP that comes with windows.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/windowsdesktop#install-the-client

Answer 5

Shannan Shapiro 116

We had problems with the Windows Remote Desktop Client app from the Microsoft Store with multiple monitors, so used the one Windows 64-bit one from this link instead and it worked with our multiple monitors. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/windowsdesktop#install-the-client

Hope this helps!

Leonardo Gamez 21 Reputation points

2022-02-17T15:35:06.733+00:00

I already installed the 64-bit version and it doesn't let me use multiple monitors. Do you have any other insight?

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How to use multiple monitors with Microsoft Remote Desktop

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