Sometimes a single video monitor just isn't enough. If you need a larger-than-usual working area, or if you want to view your Desktop on one screen while other people can see it on a different screen, you can set up multiple monitors
to display your Desktop. To use multi-monitors, you need the proper
equipment. Many laptop computers support two monitors—the built-in
display and an external display. For other computers, you need to have
either a display adapter that supports more than one display, or one
display adapter for each monitor you want to use.
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With your monitors connected, right-click a blank spot on the Desktop, and choose Screen Resolution to display the Screen Resolution window.
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Click Identify to see which monitor is which.
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Select a display, and set the screen resolution for the monitor. Repeat the process for your additional display or displays.
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Specify the way you want to use the multiple monitors:
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Duplicate These Displays to have the whole Desktop shown on all monitors. This is available only on some displays.
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Extend These Displays to spread the Desktop across all the displays.
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Show Desktop Only On display number, where display number is the monitor number you identified in step 2 to show the Desktop on only one monitor.
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Click Apply.
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If you want to change the arrangement of the monitors, drag them into the position you want.
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Click OK, and, if the Display Settings dialog box appears, click Keep Changes.
Manage the Extended Desktop
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With your multiple displays configured to have your Desktop extended
across the displays, open a window or start a program on your primary
monitor (monitor 1 is your primary monitor and contains the taskbar).
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Drag an open window or program to whichever edge of the primary
monitor is adjacent to the other monitor, as shown in the Screen
Resolution window. Continue dragging
the window or program until it appears on the other monitor. Move it
and/or resize it so that it looks the way you want.
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Use standard techniques to switch among your windows
and programs—pressing the Alt+Tab keys or clicking items on the
taskbar—regardless of which monitor the windows or programs are located
on.
Tip
If you want a window to fully extend across two or more displays,
drag a border to resize it. If you maximize a window, it will be
maximized but will appear on only one monitor.
Tip
Use the Windows key+the arrow direction keys to move the active window quickly between monitors.
