Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Learn more.
How to use a laptop as a monitor
In This Article
Having a second monitor can go a long way in boosting your productivity, as it allows you to view multiple apps and windows simultaneously without having to click through numerous tabs.
Luckily you don’t need to invest in a dedicated extra monitor, instead you can just repurpose an extra Windows laptop. Although it is super quick and easy to do this, it’s not just a case of plugging in a cable and does require some setup.
With this in mind, we’ve created a step by step guide to show you how to use a laptop as a second monitor. While there are a few different ways to do this, including using an HDMI cable or Bluetooth to connect the two devices, we’ll be demonstrating with a USB-C to USB-C cable.
Read on to learn how easy it is to use a laptop as a second monitor.
What you’ll need
The Short Version
Step1
Connect the USB-C to the first laptop
Plug in your USB-C cable into the USB-C port of your PC/laptop. It should look like an oval connection on the side of your computer.If your device doesn’t have a USB-C connector, it’s also possible to use HDMI or Bluetooth instead. It really just depends on what device you have.
Step2
Connect the USB-C to the second laptop
Once you have connected the USB-C cable to the first laptop, connect the other end to the second laptop.
Step3
Press the Windows key on the main laptop/PC
Click on the Windows key on the keyboard of the primary laptop/PC. It should look like a square block divided into quarters. It’s usually found to the left side of the keyboard’s spacebar.
Step4
Type in Display
Type the word Display into the Windows search bar.
Step5
Click on ‘Duplicate or extend to a connected display’
Out of all the options available, click on the button that says Duplicate or extend to a connected display. If this option does not appear for you, you can click on the general Display settings and find this option there.
Step6
Click on the ‘Duplicate these displays’ button
Once you are in the Display settings you should see a large blue box that shows that your displays are connected. If your screen does not show that your display is connected, you may need to go back to Steps One and Two and ensure that your connection is working for your laptops.If they are, select the Duplicate these displays button, found on the right-hand side, under the blue rectangle.
Step7
Click Extend these displays
Out of the options presented from the drop-down menu, click on the option that says Extend these displays.
Step8
Press Keep changes
Once clicked your screen may go black for a second. Once it returns there will be a pop-up message. Click on the option that says Keep changes to keep the screens extended.
Troubleshooting
Check which ports and options are available on both your laptops. In lieu of a USB-C port, you may have an HDMI or even an older USB-A port, which means you’ll need the corresponding cable, such as a HDMI to USB-C or HDMI to USB-A instead.You should also check whether your devices have Bluetooth, as this means you’ll be able to wirelessly connect your screens together. To check, visit your Device Manager and scroll through the devices until you see Bluetooth listed.
AUSB-Cport has an oval design with more rounded edges than the rectangular USB-A port. USB-C ports are also smaller too and more compact. There’s also the HDMI port which is a trapezium shape.
You might like…
Formerly the Staff Writer at Stuff Magazine, Ryan’s been writing about tech since he graduated from Cardiff University. At Trusted Reviews he is focused on everything computer-related, giving him a va…
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
