Working with multiple monitors is a joy in a home or in an office. That comes true either through a multi-screen system with a desktop computer or as we will see in this article, simply by connecting the laptop to a monitor or several. This allows us to expand the desktop, to work with a greater number of open applications in professional tasks of editing, CAD, programming, translation or financial tasks.
Work with multiple monitors in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
Also collaborate live with video conference on the additional screen. That run PC video games that extend their visualization on multiple screens. And in general, for use by anyone who wants to see additional content while working, be it a streaming or Web page, improving productivity and comfort of use.
The work with additional monitors is especially indicated for the user or professional who has a laptop, convertible or 2 in 1 as the main device and needs to work on a computer desktop. We review some cases of use with the latest version of Windows 10, Fall Creators Update. Although the use of multiple monitors works as we have seen on other occasions in previous versions of Windows and other operating systems.
Connection of multiple monitors
Any laptop includes one or more video outputs to connect to an additional screen. That either comes with an analog VGA port or digital port such as DVI, HDMI or Display Port. The connection to a monitor or multiple monitors will depend on them. Although the industry additionally offers multiple adapters and converters to facilitate them.
The newest and most advanced types of equipment offer Thunderbolt 3 connections. Also, the perfect port to connect one or more monitors since apart from a huge performance. And that offers in a single cable video, audio, data transmission and power, besides compatibility with USB Type ports -C and also from native displays DisplayPort 1.2, third generation PCIe, HDMI 2 and USB 3.0. Thunderbolt 3 is already available in a hundred designs, especially in laptops, convertibles or 2 in 1 premium.
In any case and as we said, practically any old laptop that includes at least some output to connect at least one monitor.
For those who need more, the complete option comes from the expansion bases. That allows you to use several connected peripherals. That ouputs greater connectivity options than those offered by your mobile device and take advantage of the new interconnection standards. In addition to additional USB or Ethernet ports, they include DisplayPort digital video and analog VGA outputs to support legacy support. Many series of business laptops include direct connectors to these expansion bases, where we simply have to insert the laptop.
Multiple monitors in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
The latest update of the Microsoft operating system greatly facilitates the connection to external screens. It’s as simple as plugging the monitor into its respective port for Windows to extend your desktop. In addition, it offers other interesting configurations. To access them press the “Windows + P” keyboard shortcut :
- PC screen only: Windows only use the main monitor. The rest are not used.
- Duplicate: Windows will show the same image on all monitors. Useful, for example, for a presentation.
- Expand: Windows will expand and extend the desktop, which offers another or other screens to work with.
- Only second screen: Windows will turn off the main screen and only use the secondary screen.
To configure the screens in Windows 10, go to the Configuration> System> Screen tool or right click on the desktop and select “Screen Configurator”. There you can manage the identification of each connected screen. So, now choose its orientation, the level of scale for each of them or establish the main one.
The system also allows you to expand the Windows taskbar through multiple monitors, accessing Settings> Personalization> Taskbar.
For the user who needs more control and functions, the industry offers tools from third parties such as DisplayFusion, with a free and commercial version, which allows working with these multi-screen systems, ideal to extend productivity on the desktop, allowing to work with a greater number of applications.
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