Dual monitor setup is simple to configure on modern computers. Windows will automatically detect and configure the displays.

Required hardware:

1. Windows 7 or later
2. A Video card with more than one video out connection
3. Two or more displays


Connect the first display to the computer. This display will be considered the Primary display and be marked as display 1. Then, connect the second display to the computer. Make sure that the sources of the displays coincide with the physical connection of the unit. Windows will automatically load the drivers and present an image on all the displays when it has finished. Manual configuration of the connected displays can be done using the steps below.


Connect using cables

Go through following steps to connect your monitors using cables:

1: Determine the type of output port.
 The first step is to determine the computer’s video output port. 

Video out ports come directly from the back or side of your computer or can also included on a docking station that connects to the computer. 

  • HDMI — Rectangular port with two notched at corners that is commonly used on TV's, cable boxes and computers.A picture containing text, display Description automatically generated
  • DisplayPort — A rectangular port similar in size and shape to HDMI but with only a single notched corner. Icon Description automatically generated
  • USB-C — Resembles a thin, rounded oval port. Similar in size to a mini USB port
  • VGA — A blue colored trapezoid with pinholes in it. Shape, rectangle Description automatically generated

 

3: Plug the one end of the cable into your computer’s output port (primary display).

4: Plug the other end of the cable into the monitor (or the display you want to use as a second display).



Note: If the cables is not provided or the ports from the computer to the monitor are dissimilar, a cable/cable adapter may need to be purchased that will allow this type of connection.



Options for settings

  1. Duplicate these displays: This setting will duplicate your laptop screen image on both monitors based on the monitor with the lower resolution.

  2. Extend these displays: This setting allows you to move a window from one monitor to the other by clicking the title bar of the window and dragging the window to a new location.

  3. Show desktop only on 1: This setting is typically chosen when your laptop is used as a desktop computer so you can enjoy the higher resolution of a large external monitor.

  1. Click Identify Monitors to see which monitor is number 1 and which is number 2; then drag the monitor icons to reorder their positions to match the physical setup you have chosen.
  2. Click the Resolution drop down menu, and select a screen resolution by moving the slider arrow right or left; then click OK.
  3. If the new settings are compatible, your computer screen will reappear with the new settings in place. To change display resolution settings back to the previous setting, hold down the Windows Logo key and press the P key to change the mode to computer only.
  4. Click Yes if you want to keep the new settings.

 Restart your computer to ensure that the changes are saved.