How To Use Dual Monitors On Windows 10

Whether you're content creator, programmer, data analyst, gamer, or someone who's recently been forced to piece of work from home, a organisation with multiple monitors not just looks groovy, just it tin can significantly improve productivity when multitasking with several apps. However, a multi-monitor setup is only practical as long as you configure it correctly.

Windows 10 has several features and settings to back up one, two, three, four, and fifty-fifty more monitors without the need for third-political party software for the best feel.

In this Windows ten guide, we'll walk you through a bunch of tips to configure and use a multi-monitor setup, whether yous're connecting an external display to your laptop, or you're connecting 2, 3, or more monitors to your workstation.

Before configuring a multi-monitor setup
How to rearrange multiple displays on Windows 10
How to accommodate displays scale and layout on Windows 10
How to select multiple displays viewing mode on Windows 10
How to manage advanced display settings on Windows x
How to testify taskbar beyond multiple displays on Windows 10
How to alter background on multiple displays on Windows 10

Before configuring a multi-monitor setup

Before configuring multiple monitors on your device, make sure that all the necessary cables are connected to the monitors and the computer. This includes connecting ability and video signal using VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort (recommended) cables.

If you're not certain, ostend the brand and model of the monitor (usually from a sticker in the back), and search online for the manufacturer manual to become a amend idea on how to connect the display.

How to rearrange multiple displays on Windows 10

While you can connect a monitor to any available video ports on the graphics card, when setting upwardly a dual-monitor or triple-monitor setup, it's piece of cake to plug them in the incorrect order. Although they volition still work, you may come across issues using the mouse and running applications until you rearrange them correctly.

To rearrange monitors on Windows 10, utilise these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Organization.
Click on Display.
Nether the "Select and rearrange displays" section, drag and drop each display to rearrange them according to their concrete layout on your desktop.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: When rearranging monitors in the "Display" settings folio, make sure that all monitors align at the peak perfectly. Otherwise, you lot'll take bug moving the mouse cursor between monitors from the corners.
Click the Apply push.

Once you lot complete the steps, Windows 10 will save the physical layout, and you'll exist able to work across each display and run apps without issues.

If y'all're not sure which monitor you're selecting, click the Identify push to figure out. If one of the monitors isn't showing up, brand sure information technology'southward receiving ability and continued correctly, and click the Detect button. In the example that y'all're still having bug, reset their connections (or restart the computer), and try the Observe button over again.

How to adjust displays scale and layout on Windows 10

When connecting i or multiple displays to a computer, Windows 10 does a pretty skilful task detecting and configuring the most optimal settings. However, depending on your requirements, you may demand to suit scaling, resolution, and orientation for each monitor.

Selecting correct scale

Windows 10 includes settings to adjust the scaling, which are useful when setting up various monitors of different sizes and screen resolutions to make text, apps, and other items look the same size across the displays. Or, if yous accept a 4K display, for instance, adjusting the scale settings tin help to make items bigger and more readable.

To select the correct scale setting that suits your requirements, employ these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Organization.
Click on Display.
Under the "Select and rearrange displays" section, select the monitor that you want to adjust.
Apply the Modify the size of text, apps, and other items driblet-downwards bill of fare to select the appropriate calibration option.

Source: Windows Central

Later on you complete the steps, you may demand to repeat steps No. 4 and five to alter the scaling settings on the other monitors, so click the Sign-out selection to apply the changes.

While you lot tin conform the scaling settings on a per-monitor basis, when possible, it'south e'er best to utilise the aforementioned make and model of the monitors with the aforementioned configuration. Otherwise, you may encounter issues, and Windows 10 may accept bug scaling elements.

If you're in the market for a second monitor to expand your laptop or desktop canvas, we recommend the Dell UltraSharp U2719D because of its authentic color reproduction, size, slim vessel design, VESA mount compatibility, and value.

Custom scaling

To specify a custom scaling value, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Arrangement.
Click on Display.
Under the "Select and rearrange displays" department, select the monitor that you lot desire to adjust.
Nether the "Scale and layout" section, click the Avant-garde scaling settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Under the "Custom scaling" section, specify the scaling size between 100 and 500 percent.

Source: Windows Primal
Click the Apply button.

After you consummate the steps, sign out of your business relationship and sign dorsum in to test the new settings. If the new scaling configuration doesn't look right, utilise the aforementioned steps once more and effort a different value until you find a comfortable setting.

If yous desire to switch to the predefined scale settings, you must commencement plow off custom scaling and sign out. Otherwise, the option will be grayed out.

Selecting correct resolution

Usually, later connecting a monitor, Windows ten will set up the recommended pixel resolution automatically, but you lot tin besides change the resolution manually with these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Organisation.
Click on Display.
Under the "Select and rearrange displays" department, select the monitor that yous want to conform.
Under the "Scale and layout" section, use the Resolution driblet-down carte to select the correct pixel resolution.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, repeat steps No. 4 and 5 to alter the resolution on the remaining monitors.

If yous're looking to make text and other items bigger on the screen, you should be changing the scaling settings, not the display resolution.

Selecting correct orientation

Windows 10 also allows you to rotate the screen horizontally or vertically, which is peculiarly useful when you have monitors with stands that rotate, and you desire to apply them with a different orientation for reading or coding.

To change the orientation per-monitor, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Arrangement.
Click on Display.
Nether the "Select and rearrange displays" section, select the monitor that you want to conform.
Under the "Scale and layout" department, utilize the Orientation drib-downwardly menu to select the mode:
- Landscape.
- Portrait.
- Landscape (flipped).
- Portrait (flipped).
Source: Windows Primal

One time you complete the steps, the display will shift to the orientation you selected.

How to select multiple displays viewing mode on Windows x

Using the available settings, you can likewise choose the viewing way for your displays. For case, if you're using a second monitor, you tin can expand the main screen to the new brandish, or you can mirror both monitors, which is an ideal selection when showing a presentation. If you lot're using a laptop with an external monitor, you can even disable the main display, and only use the 2nd monitor as your main.

To change the viewing mode on Windows ten, use these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Arrangement.
Click on Display.
Under the "Select and rearrange displays" department, select the monitor that yous desire to suit.
Nether the "Multiple displays" department, use the drop-down card to gear up the appropriate viewing mode:
- Indistinguishable desktop — Shows the same desktop on both displays.
- Extend — Expands the master desktop to the secondary display.
- Disconnect this display — Turn off the selected monitor.
Source: Windows Central

After y'all consummate the steps, you may demand to echo steps No. 4 and 5 to set the display mode on the remaining monitors. Also, note that using these settings, yous tin can make any of the monitors as your main display.

Switching display modes with shortcut

In improver to using the Settings app, Windows ten also allows you to switch display modes on the fly using the Project feature, which you can access using the Windows key + P keyboard shortcut.

Windows 10 project options multi-monitor setup Source: Windows Central

Once you lot invoke the shortcut, a flyout volition open from the correct side with iv options, including:

PC screen but — Only the primary display is used.
Duplicate — Secondary displays will mirror the primary monitor.
Extend — Both screens are combined to offering an extended desktop.
2nd screen merely — Merely the secondary displays is used.

Typically, when using a multi-monitor setup on a desktop or laptop, you want to utilize the "Extend" pick. This allows you lot to utilize the master monitor normally and the secondary monitors at their native resolution creating a single large canvas.

Duplicate is a good option when using a 2d monitor or projector to show a presentation. In contrast, the 2nd screen only selection is groovy when you want to close the lid on a laptop and piece of work only with the external monitor.

How to manage advanced display settings on Windows 10

Although it'southward not e'er recommended to alter your advanced display settings, considering not all monitors are created equal, sometimes, you may demand to make a few adjustments to improve color accurateness and remove screen flickering.

Important: We but recommend adjusting the advanced settings if you accept a rough idea of what to do. Typically, you should be fine with the default brandish settings.

Setting a custom color profile

If your monitors aren't rendering the colors accurately, you tin can use a custom color profile to improve color accuracy using these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on System.
Click on Display.
Click the Advanced display settings option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Brandish adapter backdrop pick for the display that you want to set a custom color profile.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Color Management tab.
Click the Color Management push button.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click the Devices tab.
Select a display from the list.
Check the Use my settings for this display option.
Click the Add button.

Source: Windows Primal
On the "Associate Color Profile" page, click the Browse button and locate the new color contour.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Double-click the .icm file to install the new profile.
Click the Shut button.

Source: Windows Key

Once you complete the steps, you may demand to repeat steps No. ix through 13 to fix a custom profile for the other monitors.

When configuring a custom colour profile, you should use those created by your display manufacturer or from a trusted source. If you're not sure, you can use these steps to download the right color profile for your monitors.

Changing the refresh rate

Ordinarily, a refresh rate (frames per 2nd) of 59Hz or 60Hz is more enough to operate a computer, though you'll definitely desire to look at the best monitors for Xbox Series X and Series S if you program to game at higher framerates. However, if you're noticing screen flickering, or if you take monitors that support a higher refresh rate, bumping the settings can provide a better and smoother viewing feel — especially for gamers.

To adjust the refresh rate of a monitor, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Organization.
Click on Display.
Click the Avant-garde display settings selection.

Source: Windows Key
Click the Display adapter backdrop selection for the display you desire to alter the refresh rate.

Source: Windows Fundamental
Click the Monitor tab.
Under the "Monitor Settings" section, use the drop-down card to set the correct refresh charge per unit.

Source: Windows Cardinal

After you complete the steps, yous may need to echo steps No. 5, vi, and 7 to alter the refresh rate on the remaining monitors.

How to bear witness taskbar across multiple displays on Windows ten

On a multi-monitor setup, the taskbar by default will announced only in the main display, but you lot tin can alter the settings to evidence it across all the displays using these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Personalization
Click on Taskbar.
Nether the "Multiple display" section, plow on the Prove taskbar on all displays toggle switch.

Source: Windows Fundamental

If you want to control in which taskbar the buttons for running apps should appear, and so use the Evidence taskbar button on the drib-down carte and select ane of the available options:

All taskbars.
Main taskbar and taskbar where window is open up.
Taskbar where window is open.

As well, you tin use this guide to optimize the infinite on the taskbar to pin even more apps or to keep it equally minimal as possible.

How to alter background on multiple displays on Windows 10

Windows 10 offers a lot of settings to adjust the look and feel of the desktop, but when using multiple monitors, setting up different background images on each brandish is 1 the most significant customization that you can brand to personalize your experience.

To show different wallpapers on a multi-monitor setup using a slideshow, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Personalization.
Click on Background.
Use the "Background" drop-down menu and select the Slideshow selection.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Browse button.
Select a folder with a collection of images that yous'd like to display on the monitors.
Click the Cull this folder button.
Employ the "Change picture every" driblet-down menu to select the rotation frequency.
Turn on the Shuffle toggle switch.
(Optional) If you're using unlike sized images, use the Choose a fit drop-down bill of fare and select the Fill option.

Once you complete the steps, the images will rotate on the desktop background using the rotation frequency that yous selected.

Customizing each monitor with a different background

If you want to gear up a different background paradigm for each monitor, utilize these steps:

Open up Settings.
Click on Personalization.
Click on Background.
Employ the "Groundwork" driblet-down menu and select the Motion picture option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Browse push.
Select the wallpaper and click the Choose moving-picture show pick.
Right-click the epitome and select the monitor you want the wallpaper to show.

Source: Windows Primal
Repeat steps No. 5, six, and 7 to prepare a custom background for another monitor.

Later on yous complete the steps, each monitor will display a custom wallpaper.

In addition to the instructions outlined to a higher place, here are a few additional tips to keep in listen when setting upward a computer with multiple monitors. For example, unless information technology's a laptop, y'all shouldn't try to adjust the brightness or colour using Windows 10 or some other application. Instead, yous should use the controls built into the monitor.

In the case that the second monitor isn't getting detected, check its connections, and use the Observe button in the Settings app. If you're however having issues, you lot can use this guide to troubleshoot and set common problems.

Finally, when using one or multiple monitors, you may come across a black screen, which it's typically a video driver related problem. If you're not sure how to fix this upshot, you can follow these steps to resolve the trouble.

More Windows x resource

For more than helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows ten, visit the following resource:

Windows 10 on Windows Fundamental – All you demand to know
Windows x assistance, tips, and tricks
Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.