Windows 11 makes the process extra easy and much more enjoyable, thanks to the handful of dedicated features it offers. Below, we will discuss how you can connect multiple monitors to a Windows 11 operating system and then customize the setup to better suit your needs.
Why Use Multiple Monitors?
The main benefit of using multiple monitors is that it gives you more screen space to get work done. Think about how many times you open new tabs and windows on your computer while working. You then constantly switch between the ones you are working on and the ones you are using for research, which is quite time-consuming.
Multiple monitors help you maintain focus while facilitating communication and creativity. You can use your primary screen to focus on important tasks, and only break this focus to glance at your secondary screen when anything important comes up. Occasionally, you might even want to watch something on Netflix on the horizontal screen while you wrap up work on your vertical display.
However, you’ll need a decent amount of computing power on your PC to use the multiple monitor setup. Typically, mid-range PCs with a Core i5 CPU and up should do the job. Let’s see how to connect and use several screens on Windows 11.
1. Set Up Multiple Monitors
To get started, you need to connect your second monitor to your main screen, pick the main display, and select how you want to view the second screen. We have discussed all these points in detail below.
1. Connect the Second Monitor
Check the type of connection that you might need to connect the second monitor. Find out if your computer supports VGA or HDMI. You might need a splitter, depending upon your requirements.
Once you connect the cables, turn the monitor on. At this point, if Windows 11 detects the new monitor, it will notify you and the second monitor will mirror your main display by default.
If it does not detect it automatically, follow the steps mentioned below:
Launch Windows Settings and select System from the left pane. Click on Display on the right side of the window. Check if all the displays appear in the Display window. If one is missing, then expand the Multiple displays section and click on the Detect button.
You should now be able to view the missing monitor. However, if you still cannot, then we recommend checking if the cables you are using work properly.
2. Select the Main Display
Once the second monitor has connected successfully, it is time to choose the main display. The primary display will be your main workplace where Windows will display all the settings.
By default, when you add another monitor to your system, Windows selects the first monitor as the primary display. However, you can change this setting as per your requirements.
Follow these steps to choose a primary display:
Launch Windows Settings and select System from the left pane. Click on Display on the right side of the window. Select the preferred display and checkmark the box associated with Make this my main display option.
That’s it. Your chosen display should now be set as the primary display.
3. Choose a Viewing Mode
Windows 11 offers the following 4 viewing modes for multiple monitors:
PC screen only - only your main display will be used. Display - the secondary screen will mirror the display of your primary display. Extend - the second screen will be an extension of the first screen, which is perfect for times when you want to work on a larger-than-usual screen. Second screen only - only your secondary screen will be used.
To choose a viewing mode, press Win + P keys simultaneously to launch the Project feature. Simply select your preferred mode from the floating widget.
Alternatively, you can also choose a viewing mode from Windows 11 settings. Follow these steps if you wish to make the changes via Settings:
Launch Windows Settings and select System from the left pane. Click on Display on the right side of the window. Select the display that you wish to customize and expand the drop-down menu on the bottom right. Choose your preferred option from the list.
And there you have it. Your very own multiple monitor setup is ready to go!
2. Customize the Multiple Monitor Setup
Now that the secondary displays are functional, you can customize the setup by playing around with the background settings, adjusting the resolution, and enabling advanced features like HDR.
1. Pick a Display Resolution
If you are not satisfied with the display resolution on any of the displays, follow these steps to change it:
Launch Display settings and select the monitor that you want to customize. Expand the drop-down menu for Display resolution under Scale & layout and pick your required resolution.
2. Enable HDR
Adding HDR to your visual experience makes everything on your display look brighter, sharper, and more colorful. The traditional display (also called as the standard dynamic range) typically only shows the details in the brighter or darker areas of the screen.
With HDR, you can view the details between the extreme areas as well. In short, it makes everything look more realistic. If your device supports this feature, it is worth trying it out.
Here is how you can enable HDR in the multiple monitor setup:
Launch Display settings by following the steps above. Choose your preferred monitor for this feature and under Brightness & color, turn the toggle on for Use HDR.
3. Change Background
New monitors do not have to be boring! You can further customize your dual display experience by picking a different background for each display. Furthermore, if you want different backgrounds, you can use the slideshow feature.
Here is what you need to do:
Launch Windows Settings and select Personalization from the left pane. Click on Background on the right side. Expand the dropdown menu for Personalize your background and choose Picture. Click on the Browse button and choose a picture. Then, right-click on the image you selected and choose the monitor on which you want to display it. Once done, repeat the same process to add different backgrounds on other monitors.
To spice things up, you can keep your desktop wallpapers changing regularly. Follow the steps below to make use of the Slideshow feature:
Launch Windows Settings and select Personalization from the left pane. Click on Background on the right side. Expand the dropdown menu for Personalize your background and choose Slideshow. Click on the Browse button and choose a picture’s folder. The pictures in the folder you choose will rotate on a regular basis. Then, expand the dropdown menu for Change picture every and choose your desired frequency. Turn the toggle on for Shuffle the picture order option. Next, if you’re using different sized images, expand the dropdown menu for Choose a fit and select Fill.
Windows 11 will automatically assign a wallpaper based on the rotation frequency you select when you complete these steps.
Make Use of the Multiple Monitor Setup
Working with multiple monitors feels quite futuristic and cool. Moreover, Windows 11 does a pretty good job of managing your multiple monitors, which makes the entire process easier.
In case you want to go one step further to manage your multiple displays, there are third-party multi-monitor management applications you can use. Using these, you can move and maximize windows, customize cursors, and access advanced customization options.
