Guys, Most people have their desktop computers for their work or studies, but there will be many people like you who have laptops that you probably don’t even use. And you don’t have that dual monitor setup which is very useful and wonderful if you have a Windows desktop computer and you are thinking can I use this spare laptop as a second screen or second monitor for my desktop computer? Yes, you can. There can be many different reasons why you may need a second screen or a second monitor for your desktop computer, such as many times such a situation arises when we need to do such work like sometimes our monitor is damaged or we have to extract data from someone’s CPU or you have to record the screen on your desktop system with the help of a laptop, Dual monitor set up also help in video editing and many work are there which because easy to do. I will guide you on using your laptop screen as a monitor or secondary display. This is an affordable solution for those who do not want to invest in an additional monitor or external display. I will guide you on how to use your laptop as a monitor
Use Laptop as a Monitor on Windows 10/11
There may be many reasons why you want to use your laptop as a monitor, or second Screen but As you know, all laptops come with an HDMI output port to connect an external monitor to it but they do not have a video input port so we can’t take video input and use it as a monitor. However, Windows has a built-in wireless Display feature that will allow you to use a laptop as a second monitor wirelessly. So before proceeding, make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. To make your laptop work as a wireless display, you must enable this feature in Windows Settings. To do so, open settings. In the Systems tab, click on Projecting to this PC.
- The Wireless Display feature doesn’t come pre-installed on Windows 11, so we have to add it from the optional features page.
- Click on the View Features button
- Scroll down and then click the box then click next to Wireless Display.
- Click on Install. This will automatically download and install the Wireless Display feature.
- After installation, you can easily launch the Wireless Display app from the Windows Search. Please keep this window open. It’ll make your laptop discoverable on the Wi-Fi network.
- To connect the desktop to your laptop, open Settings.
- In the System tab, click on Display. Under Multiple Displays, you should see the option Connect to a wireless display. Just click on it. Your laptop name should show up here. The two are now connected.
- To choose how you want the laptop screen to be displayed, press Windows P on your keyboard. By default, the projection just duplicates your desktop screen to the laptop.
But if you want to use your laptop as a true second monitor that gives you an additional screen for multitasking, you have to select Extend. It’ll make the laptop screen act as an extended or second monitor. Now you can drag the active windows between the screens and work on different apps simultaneously. The connection is wireless, so it’s not quite the same experience as having a dedicated second monitor connected via cable. Still, it can be useful if you don’t want to buy another monitor just for casual uses. You can also rearrange the screens the way you like. To do so, right-click on your desktop and select the desktop settings. Here you can drag and drop each display to rearrange them left or right or up and down according to their physical layout. If you are unsure which monitor you are selecting, click the Identify button to figure it out. Finally, click the Apply button when you want to disconnect the laptop, press Windows P on your keyboard, and select PC screen only.
Final Verdict:
This is for Windows 10/11 if you want to extend your laptop use it as a wireless connection so you can but it’s not quite the same experience as having a dedicated second monitor connected via cable. it will be lagging a bit Still, it can be useful if you don’t want to buy another monitor just for casual uses It also makes your work easy. if want to do the heavy task then must go for the second monitor connected to the HDMI cable and if you have any query must comment below.
Frequently Ask Questions?
Q.1: Can I use another laptop as a second monitor with HDMI?
Yes, you can use your laptop as a second monitor with HDMI But you can’t directly do that by just plugging an HDMI cable. All laptops come with an HDMI output port to connect an external monitor to it, but they don’t have any HDMI input port, to act as a monitor for other PCs by taking input so you can’t take video input and use it as a monitor. You have to use a video capture card to take the video input. This device converts HDMI to USB and helps you to take the video input through a USB port.
Q.2: How can I use my laptop as a monitor for HDMI?
First of all, you can Check Your Laptop’s Ports and Make sure your laptop has an HDMI input port, DisplayPort, mini-DisplayPort, or a docking station, get the right cable for your needs and then connect the cable Plug one end into your source device and the other into your laptop.
Q.3: What is the shortcut key for the second screen on a laptop?
To choose how you want the Laptop screen to be displayed Press window + P on your keyboard It opens up the project menu giving you options to extend your screen, duplicate it, second screen only, and Disconnect You have to choose it according to your Need.
