Prerequisites / Minimum Requirements
End State / Outcome
- Multiple displays viewing mode on Windows 10.
How to Steps
Using the built-in settings, you can also choose the viewing mode for your displays. 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 an ideal option when showing a presentation. If you're using a laptop with an external monitor, you can even disable the built-in display, and only use the second monitor as your primary.
To change the viewing mode on Windows 10, use these steps:
1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Display.
4. Under the "Select and rearrange displays" section, select the monitor that you want to adjust.
5. Under the "Multiple displays" section, use the drop-down menu to set the appropriate viewing mode, including:
o Duplicate desktop — Shows duplicate desktop according to the description.
o Extend — Expands the primary desktop to the display currently selected.
o Disconnect this display — Turn off the selected monitor.
After completing the steps, you may need to repeat steps No. 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 as your primary display.
Switching display modes with shortcut
In addition to using the Settings app, Windows 10 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 flyout will open with four options, including:
- PC screen only — Only the primary display is used.
- Duplicate — Secondary displays shows duplicate desktop.
- Extend — Both displays combine to offer an extended desktop.
- Second screen only — Only the secondary displays is used.
Usually, 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 monitor normally, and the secondary monitors 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, while the Second screen only option is a good option when you want to close your laptop and work only with one monitor.
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