Extending your desktop with a second monitor allows you to display two different applications on separate screens. You can leave your email open on one monitor, for example, while composing a business document on the other. To get the monitors to show different things, each monitor must be attached to a separate video port on your computer.
Attach the second monitor to the extra VGA or DVI port on your computer. Most new desktops have two VGA or DVI video outputs, while laptops have an external video port that you can use with a second monitor. You can also use an HDMI port to connect a second display.
Right-click on the Windows desktop, and select "Screen Resolution" from the pop-up menu. The new dialog screen should contain two images of monitors at the top, each representing one of your displays. If you don't see the second display, click the "Detect" button to make Windows look for the second display.
Click the arrow on the drop-down menu next to "Multiple Displays," and then select "Extend These Displays."
Select the monitor you want to use as your main display, and then check the box next to "Make This My Main Display." The main display contains the left half of the extended desktop. When you move your cursor to the right edge of the main display, it jumps to the second monitor.
Click "OK" to apply the changes and exit the screen setup window. The second monitor has its own theme and background. You can open apps directly from the second display, or you can open an app in the main display and then drag it to the second display.
- If your monitor has a different type of connection than the available port on your computer, use a simple cable adapter to make the connection. To plug an HDMI display into a VGA or DVI video port, however, you must install a VGA-to-HDMI or DVI-to-HDMI converter box.
- If your computer doesn't have an extra video port, you won't be able to display two different pictures on separate monitors, except in rare cases where the video card supports using a splitter cable. Check your computer documentation to see if this feature is available.
- Information in this article applies to Windows 7 and Windows 8. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions or products.
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