Extending or Duplicating Displays on Computers with Projectors or TVs Attached

Overview

We have a number of classrooms and conference rooms on campus that have a television or projector attached to a computer.  By default these are set to show the same thing on the projector or television that is on the computer, however this setting can easily be changed.  If you would like to change this setting or find that the display on the computer is not on the big screen, you can change it back quickly and easily.

Multiple Monitors

Before you start

Before changing settings for your external displays, make sure everything is connected properly. Here's what you can do:

  • Make sure your cables are properly connected to your PC or dock.

  • Check for Windows updates. To check for updates, select Start , then search for settings. Select Settings  > Windows Update  > Check for updates.

Tip: If you're using a wireless display adapter, connect the adapter to an HDMI port on newer TVs, then wirelessly connect your PC to it. After connecting your wireless display adapter to your TV, go to your Windows 11 PC, press Windows logo ​​​​  key+ K to open Cast, then select your wireless display adapter.

Rearrange your displays

You'll see this option when Windows detects more than one display. Each display will be numbered to help you identify them more easily. 

Identify a display

To see which number corresponds to a display, select Start , then search for settings. Select Settings  > System  > Display > Identify. A number appears on the screen of the display it's assigned to.

Detect a display

If you connected another display and it isn't showing in Settings, select Start  > Settings  > System  > Display > Multiple displays > Detect.

Connect a wireless display

If you connected wireless display and it isn't showing in Settings, select Start  > Settings  > System  > Display > Multiple displays > Connect.

Arrange your displays

If you have multiple displays, you can change how they're arranged. This is helpful if you want your displays to match how they're set up in your home or office. In Display settings, select and drag the display to where you want. Do this with all the displays you want to move. When you're happy with the layout, select Apply. Test your new layout by moving your mouse pointer across the different displays to make sure it works like you expect. 

Tip: Use the Identify option when arranging your displays to see the display number on the screen.

Multiple display options

When you undock your computer, the windows on your external monitor are minimized. When you re-dock your computer to your monitor, Windows puts everything back exactly where you had it before.

To adjust this behavior:

  1. Select Start  > Settings  > System  > Display.

  2. Scroll down and select Multiple displays to expand that section.

  3. Toggle the checkboxes based on your preferences:

    1. Remember window locations based on monitor connection

    2. Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected.

Choose a display option

To change what shows on your displays, press Windows logo ​​​​​ key+ P. Here's what you can choose.

If you want to

Choose

See things on one display only.

PC screen only

See the same thing on all your displays.

Duplicate

See your desktop across multiple screens. When you have displays extended, you can move items between the two screens.

Extend

See everything on the second display only.

Second screen only

 

For additional information:  How to use multiple monitors in Windows - Microsoft Support

Screen Mirroring and Projecting to your PC or Wireless Display

Cast to an external display from your Windows PC

You can wirelessly connect your PC to a TV, projector, or other kind of external display that supports Miracast.

  1. Turn on your TV, projector, or other display. If you're using a Miracast dongle or adapter, make sure it's plugged in to the display.

  2. Press the Windows logo key  + K, then select the display you'd like to cast to from the list of available devices.

  3. Follow any additional instructions on the screen. Otherwise, you're done.

Cast to another Windows PC from your Windows PC

  1. On the PC you'd like to project to:

    1. Select Start  > Settings  > System  > Projecting to this PC .

    2. Under Add the “Wireless Display” optional feature to project to this PC, select Optional features. 

    3. Next to Add an optional feature, select View features, then enter “wireless display.” 

    4. Select the check box next to Wireless Display from the list of results, select Next, then select Install.

    5. After “Wireless Display” is installed, select Back  to manage your projection preferences on the Projecting to this PC page in Settings. 

    6. Launch the Wireless Display app by entering “wireless display” in the search box on the taskbar and select Wireless Display in the list of results. 

      Note: The Wireless Display app is available on devices running Windows 11, version 22H2 and later. If you're running an earlier version of Windows, launch the Connect app by entering connect in the search box on the taskbar, and selecting Connect in the list of results. To find out which version of Windows you're running, see Which version of Windows operating system am I running?

  2. On the PC you’re projecting from, select Windows logo key  + K and select the PC you’d like to connect to. Or you can search for Cast in the Windows Search bar, then select Connect to a wireless display. On the Display settings page, under Multiple displays, select Connect to a wireless display, then select Connect.

    Note: If you can't find the PC you want to project to, make sure it has Wi-Fi turned on and has the wireless display app installed and launched.

Connect to an external display using a WiGig dock

Wirelessly connect your PC to a monitor, projector, or other kind of external display that is connected to a WiGig dock.

  1. Turn on your TV or projector.

  2. Turn on your WiGig dock and make sure it's connected to the display.

  3. Make sure your PC supports WiGig and that it's turned on. If your PC supports WiGig, you'll see a WiGig control in Settings  > Network & Internet > Airplane mode.

  4. Press the Windows logo key  + K, then select your dock.

  5. Follow any additional instructions on the screen. Otherwise, you're done.

Check if your PC supports WiGig

Choose a display option

To change what shows on your displays, press Windows logo key  + P. Here's what you can choose.

If you want to

Choose

See things on one display only.

PC screen only

See the same thing on all your displays.

Duplicate

See your desktop across multiple screens. When you have displays extended, you can move items between the two screens.

Extend

See everything on the second display only.

Second screen onl
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