How to Connect and Use Multiple Displays on Windows 10

When one computer screen is not enough, you need to setup an additional screen to increase productivity and save time.

If you are a programmer, graphic designer, data analyst or heavy desktop PC user, two screens are always better than one. Multiple monitors are practically interesting as they make multi-tasking easy.

Working with multiple tabs and minimized screen is a tedious job as switching between them is time consuming. But, with multiple screens this problem can easily be handled. It is a sure way to increase productivity. Plus, one can customize the second monitor fully by using different tools.

But, the question now is how to set up a second monitor? We all know how to install and use a single monitor but when it comes to dual, its bit of a work. To know how it works and what the benefits are, you need to read further.

Must Read: DisplayPort not Working on Windows 11? Here’s the Fix!

Benefits of Additional Display Screen

Dual monitors on a single computer increase work efficiency as they work as an extension for your visual workspace. Apart from this, there are many other benefits of additional display that are listed below:

1. Less time consumption and more work output.
2. Easy customization of tools according to the work.
3. Increased productivity.
4. Better visibility of apps and their features.
5. Use one screen for official purpose and other to access social sites or others.
6. Allows flexibility.
7. Sharing data between applications is easy

Besides these, there are many other benefits of additional display that can be explored once you start using multi monitor on Windows 10. It is a myth that one needs to invest too much to setup multiple display. You can use a flat screen monitor to setup multi display on Windows 10.

It doesn’t matter if you are a novice or professional, anyone can setup dual monitor display as most graphic cards let users set up a multi monitor display. To start setting up multiple monitor display on Windows 10 you need to keep following things in mind.

1. Selection of Right Monitor

As you are reading this tutorial we assume you are using a PC monitor, so selecting a second one won’t be a problem. These days, monitors available are both flat-screen and high definition i.e. (16:9 aspect ratio). Thus, providing more space in both landscape or portrait mode.

This means without spending too much you can get more, a simple 23.8-inch display that is enough to start with. However, if you don’t want to spend that much as well  and have a laptop, you can use it as the second monitor.

2. Right Cable Input

Monitor dimension doesn’t matter much, but a proper cable input does make a difference. Therefore, choosing right cable is a must, if you end up using a wrong cable serious issues can arise. Before you start setting up a dual monitor make sure that your graphic card supports multiple monitors.

Common cables used to connect PC are: DVI (usually of white color), VGA (commonly blue in color), HDMI, and DisplayPort. You need to connect your monitor to the GPU (monitor and display connected to PC via graphic card). While connecting your display make sure it is connected to the primary graphics card.

3. Configuring Another Monitor

Once the monitor is connected to the GPU you can switch on both PC and monitor. Wait for the display to appear, if there is no image, you need to check the connection.

Once the image is displayed you are ready to fire up Windows 10. But you’ll need to change few settings before starting to work. To know how to make changes to the display settings you need to keep on reading further.

How to Switch between Display Modes?

Windows 10, has four display modes, you can access them by pressing Windows + P key altogether. Once you do so, a sidebar with four options will appear. Depending on the device you are using a laptop or PC either Extend or Duplicate mode will be selected by default.

Here’s a brief explanation about these options:

• PC screen only — When primary monitor is in use.
• Duplicate — It means additional monitor.
• Extend — Multiple monitors are combined to offer extended desktop.
• Second screen only — When only the secondary monitor is in use.

Users using multiple monitor select “Extend” configuration as with this setting the primary monitor stays normal but the display of other monitor is set to maximum resolution that can be accessed by moving the mouse over to them.

How to Configure Display Settings on Dual Display?

Customizing display on Windows 10 is easy, but to do so you need to access the display section. You can access it via control panel or can follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Right-click on the desktop.
2. From the context menu select and click Display settings.
   
3. Here, make sure Display is selected from the left pane.
   
4. Now, under Cutomise your display, click on Identify, usually 1 is primary and 2 is for the dual monitor.
   
5. Here, rearrange the display if it not detected correctly. For this you need to drag and drop the numbered boxes.
6. To change text size use scaling slider.
7. Next, select which Orientation you want to use Landscape or Portrai
   
   

Note: You can even enable Night light settings on dual screen. This helps to adjust screen temperature and show warmer colors as opposed to Blue light emitted by the monitor.

Read Also: How To Fix Wireless Display Feature not Working on Windows 11

What are Advanced Display Settings?

Advanced display settings are often used when there are issues with the display in question. It helps to adjust display order of the screen, manage multiple display profiles and alter other technical options.

Using advanced display settings user can select color management, can alter monitor settings, choose color calibration, change brightness, contrast of the display of the screen and can use various options.

How to Hide the Taskbar on Multi-Displays?

If you want a clean additional display monitor you can make changes to the taskbar buttons in Windows 10.

To do so, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Right-click on the Taskbar.
2. Next, select Taskbar settings from the context menu.
   
3. In the new window that opens, scroll down to locate Multiple Displays option in the right pane.
4. Here, toggle off Show taskbar on all displays options.

Besides, this there are two other options that you can use to make changes to the taskbar. Under “show taskbar button on” you get various options like: all taskbar and others you can choose any as per your preference. Under “Combine buttons on the other taskbars” you can choose options like Always, hide labels and others and can choose them as per your preference.

How to Change Wallpaper on Dual Monitor?

Bored seeing same desktop wallpaper on both screens? Want to change the wallpaper on second screen? If yes, you can use following steps to do so:

1. Right-click the desktop.
2. Select Personalize.
   
3. Now select Background from the left.
4. Next, from the right pane under Background click on the drop-down menu to select Slideshow
5. Next, click on Browse button to choose the pictures you want to see when slideshow runs.
6. “Choose a fit” as per your preference.

You are now all set. This way you will be able to make various changes to the multiple monitor added to enhance your work productivity.

Earlier, it wasn’t easy to make these changes but with Windows 10 making alterations to the settings of dual monitor has become easy. Using the steps mentioned above you can easily setup dual monitor and can make customize the settings as you wish to use.

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