How to Set Up a Second Monitor with Windows 10: Quick Guide

A step-by-step tutorial to set up dual monitors

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Darlene AntonelliMA

Last Updated: August 182025 Fact Checked

Do you need more desktop screen space for your Windows 10 PC? Moving to a double monitor setup will make it much easier to use multiple programs at once without having to switch and minimize windows. This wikiHow guide will show you the easiest way to connect a second monitor to your Windows desktop or laptop computer and use it to extend or mirror your screen.

Quick Steps

Connect the second monitor to the computer using a display cable (e.g.HDMI).
Open your settings and go to System > Display.
Choose whether to duplicate or extend your display.
Click Apply and Save Changes.

Steps

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1
Make sure your computer can support a second monitor. While Windows 10's settings allow for multiple displaysnot all graphics cards support more than one monitor at a time. You can quickly determine whether your desktop or laptop supports a second monitor by looking at the video output connections:
- Desktop — On the back of the desktop's towerlook for a free video output port. If you see one next to or directly above the port that's currently being used to connect your desktop to the primary monitoryou can use a second monitor.
- Laptop — Any laptop with a video output port (e.g.HDMIDisplayPortor USB-C) can support a second monitor.
2
Determine the connection needed for the second monitor. Most modern computers and monitors use either HDMI or DisplayPort cables. If you have an older computer or monitoryou may find a VGA connectorwhich is a coloredtrapezoid-shaped output.^{[1]
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- If you have a free video output connection that matches a connection on the back of your second monitorit's best to use a cable that fits both connections.
- If your computer uses a different connection than your monitoryou can buy an adapter cable (e.g.USB-C to HDMI) or unit (e.g.VGA to HDMI).
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You can put your second monitor on either side of your main monitor. You'll be able to arrange the monitors later in the Windows display settings.
4
Connect the second monitor and turn it on. Plug one end of your video cable (e.g.HDMI) into your computer's video output slotthen plug the other end of the cable into your second monitor's video input slot.
- If you're using an adapter unityou may need to plug both cables into the adapter and/or plug the adapter into a power source before you can connect the monitor to your computer.
- Once connectedpress the monitor's "Power" button to turn it on. You may see your main display mirrored or extended onto the second display.
Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of your computer's primary monitorand click the Settings gear in the menu.^{[2]
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It's a laptop-shaped icon in the Settings window.^{[3]
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Click the Display tab. You'll find this in the left menu.^{[4]
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- You'll see the Display section with an outline of your displays (rectangles or squares represent your monitorsand the numbers display which one the rectangle is). Press Identify to figure out which squares on your screen represent which monitor.
- If the connected monitor isn't appearing in the previewpress Detect.
  - If the square that represents that monitor appears in the previewit is detected. Howeverthe monitor's screen may remain black. In that casecheck the screen's input and try restarting your computer without everything plugged in.
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Select a display option from the "Multiple displays" menu. In most casesyou'll want to click Extend these displays to use the second monitor as an extension of your computer's main displaythus adding more room to your desktop. It also allows you to do multiple tasks at oncefor examplehave Discord open on one screen and play a game on the other. You can also select one of the following options:^{[5]
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- Duplicate these displays — Copies what's on your computer's primary screen to the second monitor.
- Show only on 1 — Blacks out the second monitor and displays only on your primary monitor.
- Show only on 2 — Turns off your primary monitor and displays only on your second monitor.
  - If your second monitor is a TVyou may have additional options here.
  - You can also choose which display is your primary display (for exampleopen new windows in it). If the option is grayed outthe selected display is already set as the primary display.
9
Rearrange your screens as needed. Using the preview panelchange the rectangles to match up with the real-life setup of your screen. For exampleif your laptop is "1" and your external monitor is "2"and the laptop is physically to the right of your monitormake sure the preview is set up the same: that "1" is to the right of "2". That waywhen you move your cursor rightit will eventually end up on your laptop screen (if you're using Extend these displays).
- Click and drag the second monitor (the box labeled "2") to the location you want relative to the main monitor (labeled "1").
  - Computer & tech specialist Luigi Oppido recommends being as precise as possible to help your cursor flow between your monitors. If the second monitor is two inches higher than the othermake the rectangle in the preview pane two inches higher.^{[6]
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  - Click Apply to confirm the change.
10
Set the resolution and adjust the display settings for each monitor. Click on a screen in the preview to change the settings for that monitor. In our example earlierthe laptop screen is "1" and the external monitor is "2." Click on 1 to change the resolution of your laptop's screenand click on 2 to do the same for your monitor.
- You should stay with the "Recommended" settings (they are the default and say "Recommended" next to the setting). Using the wrong setting may make your screen black and unresponsive.
- If your screen is flickeringit may be set to the wrong refresh setting. You can also check out our guide to fixing screen flickers.
Click Applythen click Keep changes when prompted. Doing so will prompt your computer to begin using the second display as indicated.
12
Use your second monitor. If you're extending your displaypushing your mouse to the edge of your primary display and then continuing will cause the mouse to appear on the second display.
- The edge you move your mouse to depends on how you've arranged your displays in the Display settings. If your second display is to the right of the main displayyou'll move your mouse to the right edge to get to the second display.
- You've successfully installed a second monitor! Notice a stuck pixel on your LCD after getting things set up? Check out our expert guide to fixing stuck pixels.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can I work on 2 separate screens with different programs?

Community Answer

Yes. Open both programs and full screen them on their respective monitors.

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What if my mouse won't move between monitors?

Aasim

Top Answerer

Move the monitor in your settings until the display is along the edge you want your mouse to move.

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Can I use a 27-inch monitor with my laptop?

Community Answer

If your monitor supports HDMI cablesthen yes.

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If you want to clean your computer monitordo so while the monitor is powered off.

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You can use an HDTV as a second monitor.

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Taking a screenshot while extending your display will result in a panoramic shot of your whole desktop.

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Warnings

Be gentle when connecting your monitor's cables.

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If your computer doesn't support a second monitoryou won't be able to use a second monitor without first installing a new graphics card.

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