Extending the desktop lets Windows 10 use a second monitor as additional workspace instead of showing the same image on both screens.
Note: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027. These steps still work on Windows 10, but upgrading to Windows 11 is the long-term way to keep getting security fixes.
Windows+P display modes
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| PC screen only | Uses only the laptop or main screen |
| Duplicate | Shows the same image on both screens (good for presenting) |
| Extend | Spreads your desktop across both screens so you can move windows between them |
| Second screen only | Turns off the main screen and uses only the external one |
Extend from Display settings instead
- Right-click the desktop and choose Display settings.
- Scroll to Multiple displays and choose Extend these displays.
- Select Keep changes when asked.
- Select Identify to see which number belongs to which monitor, then drag the boxes at the top to match how the screens sit on your desk.
- Connect the second display and turn it on.
- Press Windows+P.
- Choose Extend.
- Open Settings > System > Display.
- Drag the display rectangles so their positions match the physical monitors, then apply the layout.
Set resolution and scaling per display
Select each monitor in Display settings and use its recommended resolution. Different monitors can need different scaling percentages, especially when their pixel densities differ.
If Windows does not detect the display
Check the cable, input source, dock/adapter, and graphics ports. Try Detect in Display settings where available and update the graphics driver from the PC or GPU manufacturer.
Laptop lid behavior
If you want to use external monitors with the laptop lid closed, configure the lid-close power action carefully and ensure the laptop has adequate cooling.
Make the correct screen primary
In Display settings, select the monitor that should contain Start, notifications, and the main desktop behavior, then choose the option to make it the main display. This does not prevent windows from being dragged onto the other extended screen.
To work with the lid shut, read how to use 2 monitors with the laptop closed.
Useful settings for two screens
- Taskbar on both screens: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Multiple displays > Show taskbar on all displays.
- Move a window quickly: Press Windows+Shift+Left or Right Arrow to jump the active window to the other screen.
- Different wallpapers: Right-click a picture in Settings > Personalization > Background and choose a monitor.
- Line up the mouse: If the pointer gets stuck crossing between screens, adjust the height of the display boxes so their edges line up.
Which cable do I need?
Use the port both devices share: HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C with DisplayPort output (often marked with a DP or Thunderbolt symbol). Adapters work for mismatched ports, such as USB-C to HDMI. Older VGA connections work but look less sharp on modern monitors.
Frequently asked questions
Can I extend to a TV?
Yes. Connect it with HDMI and choose Extend; set the TV’s scaling higher if text looks tiny.
How many monitors can I extend to?
It depends on your graphics hardware and ports. Many laptops support two external screens, and desktop graphics cards often support three or four.
Is it the same on Windows 11?
Very similar. See how to extend your display on Windows 11.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.