Adding a second monitor to your workstation is an excellent way to expand your productivity, and while the best computer monitors are great for this, you can use your laptop as a second display, too. This is pretty useful, as you can save some money by using a laptop that you already own instead of buying a brand-new external monitor to use. You'll be able to do this as long as both your main PC and your laptop support wireless Miracast connectivity.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll show you how you can successfully use your laptop as a second monitor.
Here's how you can extend your desktop's display to your laptop and use it as a second monitor [this process also works with two laptops]:
- On the laptop you want to use as a second monitor, open the Settings app.
Select the System option.
Source: Windows Central- Scroll down and select the Projecting to this PC tab.
Select the first drop-down menu under "Some Windows and Android devices can project to this PC when you say it's OK" and select Available everywhere on secure networks [in this case, your home Wi-Fi].
Source: Windows Central- On your main PC, use the Windows Key + P shortcut to open your PC's display projection settings.
Select Extend from the options list. This will allow you to use your laptop as a second monitor when you project to it.
Source: Windows Central- Select Connect to a wireless display.
- Select your laptop when its name appears to connect to it.
Now that your PC is projecting to your laptop and you've selected the Extend option on your PC, you can use your laptop as a second monitor.
More Windows resources
If you'd rather use a dedicated external monitor instead of a laptop for a second display, don't miss our guide on how to set up multiple monitors on Windows 10. Also, for more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
- Help & How To
- Windows 10 help
Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.
Adding a second screen to your PC or laptop gives you more space to multitask: you can browse the web, check emails and complete work tasks, all while displaying your video or photo slideshows on a second screen.
Editor’s note: For a more modern version of this that includes instructions for Windows 10, check out our guide on .
This is an easy task: all modern laptops will offer at least one port that can be used to connect a monitor, be it VGA, DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort. PC users will need to be running a graphics card with two such ports.
The simplest solution is to choose a second monitor with a matching port and connect the two, although it’s possible to mix and match some of the digital options. It’s then just a case of configuring Windows to use both screens.
[Click to Zoom]Step 1. All modern laptops will have a VGA, DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort connection that lets you add a second screen. PC users should check the back of the tower for a spare connection – if one isn’t available you’ll need to upgrade your graphics card. Connect the port to a matching port on the new screen.
[Click to Zoom]Step 2. Click Start, Control Panel, Appearance and Personalization. Choose ‘Connect an external display’ from the Display menu. What’s shown on your main screen will be duplicated on the second display. Select ‘Extend these displays’ from the ‘Multiple displays’ drop-down menu to expand your desktop across both monitors.
[Click to Zoom]Step 3. Alternatively, you can view the desktop on just one of the screens – perhaps the larger of the two. Click the Identify button if you aren’t sure which screen Windows is referring to as ‘1’ and ‘2’. Note that Windows 7 also has an option for setting up a projector – find it under Start, Accessories, ‘Connect to a Projector’.
[Click to Zoom]Step 4. Adjust the resolution for each screen to improve the quality of text and video shown onscreen. From the Display drop-down menu, select a display and click Resolution. Use the slider to adjust the screen’s resolution. It’s advisable to use Windows’ recommended resolution for each display.
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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:
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Select Start , then open Settings .
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Under System , select Display . Your PC should automatically detect your monitors and show your desktop. If you don't see the monitors, select Multiple displays , then Detect.
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Use the dropdown list next to the image of your desktop to choose how your screen will project across your displays.
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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.
Learn how to use multiple monitors in Windows
Open display settings
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:
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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.
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In the Multiple displays section, select an option from the list to determine how your desktop will display across your screens.
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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.
Learn how to use multiple monitors in Windows 10
Open Display settings