How to Set up Multiple Monitors in Microsoft Windows 11 and Windows 10

Easily move Windows apps to another monitor. You can also move Windows apps from one monitor to another using the keyboard shortcuts:

1. Windows key + Page up key on the keyboard.
2. Windows key + Page down key on the keyboard.

In Windows 11 and Windows 10, the taskbar is now shown on all the monitors by default. With multiple monitors attached, Windows 11 and Windows 10 draw the taskbar across each monitor. By default, all taskbar icons are displayed on the main monitor and a blank taskbar on the other monitors. To configure the taskbar for multiple monitors using Taskbar Properties:

1. Right-click the taskbar.
2. Select Properties.
3. In the Taskbar tab, under Multiple Displays, check the box Show Taskbar on all Displays.
4. Click OK to confirm.

Span the desktop background across all the monitors. You can now span a single panoramic image across multiple monitors. Windows 11 and Windows 10 include a new panoramic theme under the personalization options. To span a desktop background across all monitors:

1. Press Windows key + X key on the keyboard.
2. Under Windows Settings, click Personalization.
3. Click Browse and select a panoramic image from the disk location where you have saved the image.
4. Under Choose a fit, select Span.

Ensure that the video connector on the computer matches with an available video connector on the monitor, like VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort (DP), or USB-C (that supports DisplayPort or Thunderbolt 3). Connect the computer to the monitor, projector, or TV using a compatible video cable. The monitor manufacturer should have provided this cable with the monitor.

Learn How to Connect a Monitor to a Dell Computer.

To learn more about the different ports that are available on a Dell computer, see A Guide to the External Ports and Connectors on a Dell Computer.

Determine the type of video connector that is available on the computer and the monitor. The number of available video connectors depends on the type of graphics card that is installed in the computer. Most desktop graphics cards support two or more monitors, depending on the graphics card and computer specifications. However, laptops can support up to two monitors depending on the computer specifications. Learn How to Connect a Monitor to a Dell Computer.

After the cables are connected securely, the computer must automatically detect and display the desktop screen on the connected monitors. You can then select the display style that best suits your needs.

Windows 11 and Windows 10 provide multiple display style options on how the desktop screen is displayed across multiple monitors that are connected to the computer. In Windows 11 and Windows 10, press the Windows key + P key to bring up the display style menu, and then select a display style that best suits your needs.

1. Personal computer Screen only - Use only display 1 and show nothing on display 2. The second monitor is ignored, and only the primary monitor is used.
2. Duplicate (also called Clone mode) - Show the entire desktop on both displays. The second or other monitors mirror the primary monitor.
3. Extend - Stretch the desktop across the two displays. The desktop screen of the computer is extended across all the detected monitors.
4. Second Screen only - Use only display 2 and show nothing on display 1. The primary monitor is disabled, and only the second monitor is used.

DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport allows you to daisy chain monitors. This feature allows you to connect a series of monitors to a single video output connector on the computer or docking station. Learn How to Daisy Chain Multiple Monitors Using DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST).

How to change the display or video settings in Microsoft Windows?

To change the screen resolution, adjust the refresh rate, and change the size of fonts and icons, learn How to Change the Video Settings or Improve Text in Windows 10.

A docking station or port replicator provides a simplified way of connecting multiple devices like a keyboard, mouse, printer, external hard drives, and one or more external monitors to a laptop that usually has limited connectivity ports. Most docking stations or port replicators have video connectors to connect two or more external monitors. A docking station or port replicator when connected to a laptop allows you to switch off the laptop LCD and use the external monitors instead.

DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport allows you to daisy chain monitors. This feature allows you to connect a series of monitors to a single video output connector on the computer or docking station. Learn How to Daisy Chain Multiple Monitors Using DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST).

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Dell wireless monitor enables your Windows laptop, Android smartphone, or tablet with Miracast capability to display the screen image to the monitor using a Wi-Fi Direct interface. When you connect the laptop, smartphone, or tablet to the Dell wireless monitor, you can access the mouse and keyboard that is connected to the monitor and control the devices.

You can either extend or duplicate your Windows desktop wirelessly to a Dell wireless monitor and connect your Android 5.0 (and above) tablet or smartphone by Wi-Fi simultaneously through Dual Cast.

To learn more about how to set up or troubleshoot a Dell wireless monitor, see our Guide to Dell Wireless Monitors.

The latest smart TVs and computers provide a wide variety of video connectivity options. Ensure that the video connector on the computer matches with an available video connector on the TV.

Learn How to Connect a Dell Computer to a TV.

Microsoft Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8 or 8.1, and Windows 7 support dual or multiple monitor setups. If you encounter problems with your multiple monitor setup, like a blank or black screen, no signal to monitor, resolution issues, learn How to Troubleshoot Multiple Monitor Problems on a Dell Computer.

If the Dell computer is not able to display or has a video problem with multiple monitors after upgrading to Microsoft Windows 11 and Windows 10:

1. Uninstall the video driver.
2. Update the BIOS of the computer.
3. Download and install the latest video or graphics driver.
4. Reboot the computer.