[Article] How to Add and Use a Second Monitor in Windows 11 and Windows 10

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📌 Note: This article was originally created by Andre Da Costa on Answers Support Community. It provided meaningful insights and proved helpful to many. We're recreating it here to preserve its value and ensure continued access for others.

If you work with a lot of content on your computer, having extra space to move around windows on screen can help a great deal. I experienced the benefits of this firsthand when I started working from home. My line of business application (LOB) from work spawned multiple windows from within the same application. Customers calling in might need information from either window. Working in both on a single display monitor though made the job a little bit tedious regarding multi-tasking. That’s where the benefit of an extra display comes in handy. Today, we are going to look at setting up and configuring an extra monitor in Windows.

Depending on your device configuration, you might need a dongle or cable in order to connect your second monitor. In my case, my Surface Pro 3, which I am using for the purposes of this article utilizes the Mini-Display Port standard. The monitor I have uses either a VGA or HDMI connection. Some monitors might use different standards such as DVI in or out. So, it is first important that you know what type of connection you will be using.

For my Surface Pro, I picked up a cheap Mini Display Port dongle with a female end. I was able to plug the male VGA into then connect to the Mini Display port on my Surface Pro 3.

Upon connecting, Windows 11 by default will mirror your main display. To change this so you can utilize the second screen for other purposes, press Windows key + P on your keyboard. This will bring up a floating widget, which gives you several options for configuring your second monitor.

PC only lets you keep only the main monitor as default monitor.

Duplicate is the default configuration when you first connect a monitor to Windows.  It mirrors the main display onto the second display. This is great if you just want a larger screen to do your work. Some users might elect to keep the laptop lid closed and have other peripherals such as keyboard and mouse attached for a desktop like experience.

Extend allows you use the second monitor basically like a second desktop.

Second Screen only this keeps the second monitor as your default.

For my setup, I am going to extend it. But before we do that, lets look at the other ways you can access the display settings without having to use the keyboard shortcut. Launch the Settings app, click on System, then click on Display.

 

Click on the Duplicate these displays list menu.

 

Click Extend these displays.

 

Click on Keep these changes

After extending your monitor, you will notice the Display settings will present additional options for working with multiple monitors.

 

To identify which monitor you are on, expand Multiple displays, then click the Identify button. A number will appear on screen temporarily to help you know which monitor is which.

 

Depending on your configuration, you might want to be able to move windows between both screens naturally. So, if the monitor is on the left as it is in my case, you want to move your windows to left. Simply click then hold on the monitor then drag either left or right, release then click Apply to confirm changes.

 

Your second monitor will then appear and work the way you have it set up on your desk. In my case, when I move over a window to second screen to left, you will see it moving into the next screen.

 

Personalizing Multiple Displays in Windows 11

As you can see, having a second monitor just lets me move and manage windows on the second screen. If I want to use it like a second desktop, there are options you can enable. To do that, in Settings, click on Personalize > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors or you can right click the Taskbar, click Taskbar settings then click Taskbar behaviors. Scroll down then check the box Show my Taskbar on all displays

 

You can also change the default wallpaper on the second screen as well as the screen resolution. To change the wallpaper, right click the Desktop then click Personalize or open Settings > Personalization > Background. Click in the Personalize your Background list box then click on Picture.

 

Under Recent images, right click on one of the images you want to use, highlight Set for desktop, click Desktop 2. You can also browse and choose a picture that’s from your personal collection.

 

To change the resolution of a second monitor, in Settings, click System. Click on your second monitor first.

 

Scroll down to Scale and Layout.

 

Click in the resolution list box then choose the desired resolution.

 

There are many other options available, but this is a first look at how you can get started with multiple displays in Windows 11. In Settings, under Multiple displays, there is now an option to ‘Remember window locations based on monitor connection’. So, if you travel a lot and return home or to your office and reconnect the display, all your windows will be right where you left them on the second display.

 

That’s your early look at multiple monitors in Windows 11. Tell me about your setup. Are you also using multiple monitors, if so, how many?