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How to Use a Laptop as a Second Monitor

Working from home? If you need a second screen, you can use a spare laptop running Windows 10 and turn it into an extra monitor for more space for apps. Here's how to do it.

If you have a spare laptop with Windows 10, you can use it as an extra screen

By | 17 Mar 2020

With so many people now working from home, you may well need two screens to be more productive. You don't have to rush out and buy a new monitor, though. If you have a working laptop running Windows 10 it's possible to hook it up to your PC, or another laptop so it acts as an extra display.

Windows 10 provides this functionality, and it's easy to set up.

The connection is wireless, so it's not quite the same experience as having a second monitor connected via a cable, but it can be useful if you are stuck and need a solution. Since the process uses Miracast, you might be able make your TV act as a second screen if you have Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.

Here's an overview of the process:

Open Settings on the laptop which will be a second screen
Click System
Click Projecting to this PC
Choose your settings
Go to the other PC or laptop
Press Win-P and click on Connect to a wireless display
Wait until your other laptop is detected
Select it and choose whether to duplicate or extend

If you're using a laptop as your main computer for work, you might be struggling for ports. But with these USB-C docks, you can add extra USBs and video outputs for connecting monitors.

Configure a laptop as a second screen

On the laptop that you'd like to turn into your second monitor head to Settings > System > Projecting to this PC.

Adjust the settings, striking a balance between security and accessibility as seen below.

How to turn a laptop into an additional display

On your main computer, press the Windows Key + P, and click the 'Connect to a Wireless Display' link at the bottom. This may not appear if your PC doesn't have Wi-Fi.

Your PC will scan for available displays, and you will then have the ability to Extend or Duplicate once your PC has found the second monitor (since Windows sees your laptop as a monitor, not a laptop).

As the names suggest, Extend will treat the additional screen as an extension of your current setup, giving you more space to use. Duplicate will force the secondary screen to mirror your main one exactly, so you'll have two displays showing the same content.

Make your desired selection, and your main PC will now be linked to the monitor in the style that you've selected.

If you do happen to have a spare monitor, we've also got a guide on how to connect a second display to your laptop or PC.

Or, if you're keen to add a second screen to your PC or laptop, take a look at our recommendations of the best monitors to buy, such as the space-saving Samsung S32:

Best monitors to use as a second screen

How to use a second screen as a collaboration point

You can use your 'second display' laptop as a collaboration point and allow someone else to type and use the mouse on it if they pair with your main machine.

When you connect the screen, there will be a check box that will allow additional input. If you tick this box, this monitor will allow input from a mouse and keyboard when linked to another PC.

There aren't too many scenarios where this is useful, but it's there nonetheless.

For more information about using your laptop with an external display, check out how to turn your laptop into a desktop PC. You may also be interested in how to set up a home office.

Author: Sean Bradley, Contributor

Sean Bradley

Sean Bradley is a contributor to Tech Advisor.