A multi-monitor setup can significantly improve your productivity when multitasking with multiple apps because adding one or two external monitors will help you create a larger canvas to distribute the workload. However, these setups are only helpful if you know how to configure them correctly.
On Windows 11, you he many options and features to support two, three, four, or more displays without relying on third-party software or technical assistance to make it all work.
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How to prepare for multi-monitor setup on Windows 11Before diving into these steps, connect the displays correctly, including the power and signal cables (HDMI or DisplayPort), and turn on all the monitors.
Also, you want to make sure that Windows 11 can detect the monitors, and here's how:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
If one of the displays is still missing, recheck the connections, restart the computer, and use the above steps again.
Check for video and system updates
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By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.In addition, you also want to check for updates to ensure that the device has the latest system updates and drivers installed for the best experience.
To check updates on Windows 11, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on Windows Update.Click the Check for updates button.Click the Advanced options setting.
Since it's easy to connect the monitors in the wrong order on the graphics card as you try to configure a dual-monitor or triple-monitor setup, Windows 11 includes an option to rearrange them correctly.
To rearrange multiple displays on Windows 11, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
Once you complete the steps, the new layout configuration will apply, allowing you to work across each display and run apps without issues.
How to choose primary display on Windows 11On Windows 11, you can choose which monitor should be the default to tell the system where apps should open by default.
To change which monitor is the primary, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
Once you complete the steps, you may see a visual effect on the screen to apply the changes.
How to select viewing mode for multiple displays on Windows 11It's also possible to change the viewing mode of the displays. For example, you can expand the main desktop across the new display or mirror both monitors to show the same content on both screens, which can come in handy during a presentation. Alternatively, you can disable the laptop display and use the external monitor as the only screen.
Choose view mode in Settings
To change the Windows 11 viewing mode, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
After you complete the steps, the new configuration will apply. The settings would be different depending on the monitors connected to the computer.
Choose view mode in Project flyout
Windows 11 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.
Once you invoke the shortcut, a Project flyout will open from the right side with four options:
PC screen only — Only the primary display is used.Duplicate — Secondary displays will mirror the primary monitor.Extend — Both screens are combined to offer an extended desktop.Second screen only — Only the secondary displays are used.
Usually, you want to use the Extend option since it allows you to use the primary monitor normally and the secondary at their native resolution creating a single larger canvas.
The Duplicate option is also good, but when using a second monitor or projector to show a presentation. In contrast, the Second screen only option is great when you want to close a laptop's lid and work only with the external monitor.
How to change scale and layout settings on Windows 11Although Windows 11 applies the optimal display settings, sometimes, you may still need to change each monitor's scaling, resolution, and orientation.
Choose predefined scale settings
The scale settings can come in handy when using monitors of different sizes and screen resolutions for text, icons, frames, and other items the same size across displays. If you he a high-resolution monitor, you can use the scale setting to make things bigger and more readable.
To change the scale settings for a better viewing experience, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the instructions for the other monitors. Although you don't need to sign out and back in to apply the changes, you may still need to restart some applications to see the scale setting changes.
Choose custom scale settings
To use custom scale settings on Windows 11, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
After you complete the steps, you will need to sign out of the account and sign back in to see the new changes. If the scaling doesn't look right, return to the settings and tweak the scaling setting until you land into an acceptable configuration.
If you want to use the predefined scale settings again, turn off custom scaling and sign out. Otherwise, the option will be grayed out.
Choose display resolution
Although Windows 11 can configure the most optimal screen resolution, you may still need to change the resolution manually.
To change the screen resolution on Windows 11, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the instructions to change the resolution to the remaining monitors.
If you want to make text and other items bigger, you should use the scale settings instead.
Choose display orientation
Depending on your requirements, you may need to use one or all the monitors vertically instead of the traditional horizontal orientation. You can use the "Display orientation" settings if this is the case.
To change the display orientation on Windows 11, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
After you complete the steps, the screen will flip to the orientation you selected.
How to manage advanced display settings on Windows 11It's usually not recommended to change the advanced display settings. However, since every display looks different, you may need to tweak some settings to deal with screen flickering or improve color accuracy.
Configure the custom color profile
If one of the displays is not displaying colors accurately, it's possible to use a custom color profile.
When changing the color profile settings, you should only use those created by a trusted source or device manufacturer. If unsure, you can refer to this guide to download the correct color profile for your monitors.
To configure a custom color profile on Windows 11, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
Once you complete the steps, repeat the instructions to set a different color profile for the other monitors.
Change refresh rate
The default refresh rate (frames per second) of 59Hz or 60Hz is typically suitable for most users. However, if you he monitors that support a higher refresh rate or notice screen flickering, increasing the settings can provide a better and smoother viewing experience.
To set a different refresh rate on Windows 11, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
After you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the steps to adjust the refresh rate on the remaining display.
Enable variable refresh rate
Variable refresh rate (VRR) is a technology ailable on supported monitors that dynamically increases and decreases the refresh rate according to the content to se battery life.
To enable VRR on Windows 11, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will dynamically adjust the refresh rate to balance the screen performance and battery life.
Enable multiple displays features
Windows 11 includes a few new features to improve the multiple-monitor experience. For example, when you disconnect the external display, all the apps on the secondary display will minimize automatically. Then when you reconnect the display, the apps will restore automatically to their original location.
To enable these features, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click the Display page on the right side.
When disconnecting the external monitor, all the apps will minimize in the Taskbar when using these settings. Then when you reconnect the display, all the apps will restore automatically to their original locations.
How to show Taskbar across multiple monitors on Windows 11To show the Taskbar across displays, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on Personalization.Click the Taskbar page on the right side.
After you complete the steps, the Taskbar will appear across all monitors.
How to change background on multiple displays on Windows 11Windows 11 also allows you to set a different background image on each display to make the experience more personalized by using the slideshow option or manually selecting another wallpaper on each monitor.
Show different wallpapers with a slideshow
To change the wallpaper of each monitor with the slideshow option, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on Personalization.Click the Background page on the right side.
Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will randomly assign a wallpaper, depending on the rotation frequency you selected.
Show different wallpapers manually
To set a different background for each display manually, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on Personalization.Click the Background page on the right side.
After you complete the steps, repeat the instructions to assign a different background for the remaining monitors.
More resourcesIf it seems like your second monitor isn't detected in Windows 10 or Windows 11, follow our guide to troubleshoot that first. For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to knowWindows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to knowIf you're a content creator, programmer, data analyst, or gamer, a system with multiple monitors not only looks great but can significantly improve productivity when multitasking with more than one app. However, a multi-monitor setup is only practical if you configure it correctly.
Windows 10 has several features and settings to support one, two, three, four, and even more monitors without needing third-party software for the best experience.
In this how-to guide, I'll provide tips on configuring and using a multi-monitor setup, whether you're connecting an external display to your laptop or two, three, or more monitors to your workstation.
Before configuring a multi-monitor setupBefore configuring multiple monitors on your computer, ensure the required cables are connected to the monitors and the computer. This includes connecting power and video signals using VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort (recommended) cables.
If you're unsure, confirm the monitor's make and model (usually from a sticker on the back) and search online for the manufacturer's manual to understand better how to connect the display.
How to rearrange multiple displays on Windows 10While you can connect a monitor to any of the ailable video ports on the graphics card, it's easy to plug them in the wrong order when setting up a dual-monitor or triple-monitor setup. Although they will still work, you may run into issues using the mouse and running applications until you rearrange them correctly.
To rearrange monitors on Windows 10, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click on Display.Drag and drop each display to rearrange them according to their physical layout on your desktop under the "Rearrange your displays" section.
Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will se the physical layout, and you can work across each display and run apps without issues.
If you're unsure which monitor you're selecting, click the "Identify" button. If one of the monitors isn't showing up, ensure it's receiving power and connected correctly, and click the "Detect" button. If you still he problems, reset the connections (or restart the computer) and try the "Detect" button again.
How to adjust displays scale and layout on Windows 10Windows 10 does a pretty good job detecting and configuring the most optimal settings when connecting one or multiple displays to a computer. However, depending on your requirements, you may need to adjust each monitor's scaling, resolution, and orientation.
Select correct scaleWindows 10 includes settings to adjust scaling, which is 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. For example, if you he a 4K display, adjusting the scale settings can help make items bigger and more readable.
To select the correct scale setting that suits your requirements, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click on Display.Select the monitor to adjust under the "Rearrange your displays" section.Select the appropriate scale option from the "Change the size of text, apps, and other items" drop-down menu.
After you complete the steps, you may need to repeat steps 4 and 5 to change the scaling settings on the other monitors and then click the Sign-out option to apply the changes.
While you can adjust the scaling settings per monitor, it's always best to use the same make and model of monitors with the same configuration when possible. Otherwise, you may run into issues, and the operating system may he problems scaling elements.
Custom scaling
To specify a custom scaling value, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click on Display.Select the monitor to adjust under the "Rearrange your displays" section.Click the "Advanced scaling settings" option under the "Scale and layout" section.
After completing the steps, sign out of your account and back in to test the new settings. If the new scaling configuration doesn't look right, repeat the same steps and try a different value until you find a comfortable setting.
If you want to switch to the predefined scale settings, you must first turn off custom scaling and sign out. Otherwise, the option will be grayed out.
Select correct resolutionUsually, after connecting a monitor, Windows 10 will set the recommended pixel resolution automatically, but you can also change the resolution manually with these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click on Display.Select the monitor that you want to adjust under the "Rearrange your displays" section.Use the Resolution drop-down menu to select the correct pixel resolution under the "Scale and layout" section.
Once you complete the steps, repeat steps 4 and 5 to change the resolution on the remaining monitors.
If you want to make text and other items bigger on the screen, you should change the scaling settings, not the display resolution.
Select correct orientationWindows 10 also allows you to rotate the screen horizontally or vertically, which is particularly useful when you he monitors with stands that rotate, and you want to use them with a different orientation for reading or coding.
To change the orientation per-monitor, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click on Display.Select the monitor that you want to adjust under the "Rearrange your displays" section.Use the Orientation drop-down menu to select the mode under the "Scale and layout" section:Landscape.Portrait.Landscape (flipped).Portrait (flipped).
Once you complete the steps, the display will shift to the orientation you selected.
How to select multiple displays viewing mode on Windows 10You can also choose the viewing mode for your displays using the ailable settings. For example, if you're using a second monitor, you can expand the main screen to the new display, or you can mirror both monitors, which is ideal when showing a presentation. If you're using a laptop with an external monitor, you can even disable the main display and only use the second monitor as your primary.
To change the viewing mode on Windows 10, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click on Display.Select the monitor that you want to adjust under the "Rearrange your displays" section.Use the drop-down menu to set the appropriate viewing mode under the "Multiple displays" section:Duplicate desktop — Shows the same desktop on both displays.Extend — Expands the primary desktop to the secondary display.Disconnect this display — Turn off the selected monitor.
After you complete the steps, you may need to repeat steps 4 and 5 to set the display mode on the remaining monitors. Also, note that using these settings, you can make any of the monitors your primary display.
Switch display modes with shortcutIn addition to using the Settings app, Windows 10 allows you to switch display modes on the fly using the "Project" feature, which you can access with the "Windows key + P" keyboard shortcut.
Once you invoke the shortcut, a flyout will open from the right side with four options, including:
PC screen only — Only the primary display is used.Duplicate — Secondary displays will mirror the primary monitor.Extend — Both screens are combined to offer an extended desktop.Second screen only — Only the secondary displays are used.Typically, when using a multi-monitor setup on a desktop or laptop, you want to use the "Extend" option. This allows you to use the primary and secondary monitors normally at their native resolution, creating a single large canvas.
"Duplicate" is a good option when using a second monitor or projector to show a presentation. In contrast, the "Second screen only" option is great when you want to close the lid on a laptop and work only with the external monitor.
How to manage advanced display settings on Windows 10Although it's not always recommended to modify your advanced display settings because not all monitors are created equal, sometimes, you may need to make a few adjustments to improve color accuracy and remove screen flickering.
Important: I recommend adjusting the advanced settings only if you he a rough idea of what you want to do. Typically, you should be fine with the default display settings.
Set a custom color profileIf your monitors aren't rendering the colors accurately, you 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.
Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat steps 9 through 13 to set a custom profile for the other monitors.
When configuring a custom color profile, 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 correct color profile for your monitors.
Change the refresh rateUsually, a refresh rate (frames per second) of 59Hz or 60Hz is more than enough to operate a computer, though you'll want to look at the best monitors for Xbox Series X and Series S if you plan to game at higher framerates. However, if you're noticing screen flickering or if you he monitors that support a higher refresh rate, bumping the settings can provide a better and smoother viewing experience — especially for gamers.
To adjust the refresh rate of a monitor, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on System.Click on Display.Click the "Advanced display settings" option.
After you complete the steps, you may need to repeat them to change the refresh rate on the remaining monitors.
How to show taskbar across multiple displays on Windows 10On a multi-monitor setup, the taskbar by default will appear only in the main display, but you can change the settings to show it across all the displays using these steps:
Open Settings.Click on PersonalizationClick on Taskbar.Turn on the "Show taskbar on all displays" toggle switch under the "Multiple display" section.
If you want to control in which Taskbar the buttons for running apps should appear, then use the "Show taskbar button on" the drop-down menu and select one of the ailable options:
All taskbars.Main taskbar and taskbar where window is open.Taskbar where window is open.You can also use this guide to optimize the space on the Taskbar to pin even more apps or to keep it as minimal as possible.
How to change background on multiple displays on Windows 10Windows 10 offers many settings to adjust the look and feel of the desktop, but when using multiple monitors, setting up different background images on each display is one of the most significant customizations you can make 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 option.
Once you complete the steps, the images will rotate on the desktop background using your selected rotation frequency.
Customize each monitor with a different backgroundIf you want to set a different background image for each monitor, use these steps:
Open Settings.Click on Personalization.Click on Background.Use the "Background" drop-down menu and select the Picture option.
After you complete the steps, each monitor will display a custom wallpaper.
In addition to the instructions outlined above, here are a few additional tips to remember when setting up a computer with multiple monitors. For example, unless it's a laptop, you shouldn't try to adjust the brightness or color using Windows 10 or another application. Instead, you should use the controls built into the monitor.
If the second monitor isn't detected in Windows 10 or Windows 11, check its connections and use the "Detect" button in the Settings app. If you still he issues, use our guide linked above to troubleshoot and fix common problems.
Finally, when using one or multiple monitors, you may encounter a black screen, typically a video driver-related problem. If you're not sure how to fix this issue, follow these steps to resolve it.
It's worth noting that recent updates to the operating system also added the ability to show dynamic wallpapers with the "Windows Spotlight" feature.
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