How to Set Up Dual Monitors for Your PC

As user interfaces take advantage of the high-resolution monitors that are common today, more screen real estate is occupied with menus and other functions within applications. Many computers are capable of working with two or more monitors for an extended display layout. For example, you could have a Web browser opened on one screen and a spreadsheet open on the other, which can lead to an increase in productivity. You can set up dual monitors for your PC if it is equipped with the necessary hardware.

Things You'll Need

• Video card with two or more outputs

Instructions

1. Install a video card capable of outputting to two or more screens, if necessary. Many desktop and laptop computers already feature this capability.

2. Connect each monitor to an available output. Plug in the monitor and turn it on. In the case of a laptop, connect a single monitor to the laptop's VGA or HDMI port, depending on your laptop configuration and monitor type.

3. Press and hold the Windows logo key.

4. Press the "P" key twice to enter monitor extended mode. This creates two independent displays where you can have separate application windows open on each monitor.

5. Release the Windows logo key.

Tips & Warnings

• You can press the Windows logo key once instead of twice to duplicate the content of the screens.