How to connect a monitor to a Laptop and use both screens |Your Windows 10 laptop is easily capable of handling two screens: the laptop’s own screen and an external monitor. That’s because the monitor connector is a standard feature on all laptops. The reason is that you can use an external monitor or projector for presentations. Even if you’re not giving a presentation, you can use the screen connector to add a larger or second screen to your laptop system.
How to connect a monitor to a Laptop and use both screens
To add an external monitor, locate the display connector on the back or side of the laptop. Connect the screen. Turn on the screen.
After the connection is successful, you may be prompted how to use the second monitor. In general, these options are presented:
Duplicate these displays: Also known as the mirroring option, the laptop uses both screens at the same time, and displays the same image on both of them. This option is selected automatically when an external monitor (or projector) is connected to the laptop.
Expand these monitors: Use the second monitor to expand the desktop area, giving you one computer with two monitors.
Show Only on 1: Use your laptop screen only; Ignore the external screen.
Show Only on 2: Use the external display only.
Your laptop might ask how to set up the second monitor when it’s connected. Sometimes you have to press the Fn key combination to use the second screen. Or you can use the screen resolution monitor to configure an external monitor. Follow these steps:
- Right-click on the desktop background.
- Choose the Display Settings command.
- You see the Settings app window, which displays the Customize your screen screen.
- Select an option from the list of multiple displays.
- Click the Apply button to temporarily confirm the display’s configuration.
- Click the Keep changes button to lock any changes.
And now… the shortcut!
Since external monitors can also be monitors, you can use the keyboard shortcut Win + P to quickly configure how the second monitor works. Use the Project panel, which slides out from the right side of the screen to quickly choose an external monitor configuration.