How to configure dual on Windows 11 monitors

How many times have we found ourselves thinking of not having enough screen space availableto have the ability to monitor all the open tabs at the same time, copy content from one page to another without necessarily having to reduce the size, or perhaps more simply we felt the need for a larger screen to watch a movie, a series TV or any other multimedia content?

The answer is probably “many times”: as long as you use a desktop PC, you can opt for the purchase of an above average size monitor, but in the case of a notebook? Choosing a 17-inch can be uncomfortable, considering that it is still an object to carry around and therefore having to consider the variable “weight”, plus it is not physically possible to buy notebooks with larger screens. The solution that in recent times, for reasons of distance learning and smart working, seems to have become more and more widespread is to use a second monitorto be connected directly to your notebook, thus doubling the space available on the desktop.

In 90% of cases, the second monitor is connected to the PC via the HDMI port, which guarantees excellent data transmission speed for use by the vast majority of users. In the event that the need for a second monitor is associated with “gaming issues”, to improve the experience or simply to better manage the situation on the screen, it is also possible to use the DisplayPort port on the computers that are equipped with it: the latest version, DisplayPort 2, is capable of supporting resolutions up to 16K, and also offers a “chain link” function that is not supported by HDMI. In a nutshell, through the DisplayPort port you can connect multiple monitors in series following the “PC – Monitor1 – Monitor2 -… – MonitorN” scheme, making the work / game environment cleaner and tidier.

In this guide we will see how to set up a dual monitor on Windows 11, in order to make the viewing and use experience as pleasant and efficient as possible; we have used two, but you are free to use three, four or even more, the steps to follow always remain the same. A small spoiler that we give you is that, at least for the moment, it is not possible to view the Windows clock on multiple monitors as it did in Windows 10, but only on the main one (which, probably, will be revisited in a future update) .

Configure dual monitors on Windows 11 via Settings

Obviously, before starting, we can not help but report our guide, constantly updated, on the best PC monitors currently available on the market.

1. First, open the menu Settings Windows 11 (use the shortcut Windows + I to do first);
2. From the item “System“, Click on”Screen“;
   
3. Here you should see two monitors, labeled “1” and “2”: generally Windows associates the notebook monitor as the main display, but to be sure you can click on “Identify”So that the associated number appears on each monitor;
4. To the right of the “Identify“There is a drop-down menu, from which it is possible to select four modes of use:
   

   1. Duplicate these screens: it is the most useful mode in case you have to, for example, make a presentation, since it will show exactly the same screen on both monitors;
   2. Extend these screens: this is probably the option you want to use, as it allows, as the name implies, to extend the space available on the screen. This means that the windows are not “copied” as in the first case, but it is possible to keep several screens open at the same time and control them from the different monitors. Obviously you can rearrange the position of the screens on Windows according to their real position, by dragging the screen with the corresponding number to the right or left of the main one;
   3. Show only on 1: it does nothing but reproduce the contents only on the screen labeled as “1” (generally the main one), deactivating all the other monitors;
   4. Show only on 2: does exactly the same thing as the previous one, deactivating screen “1” and projecting the contents only on screen “2”;

5. Finally, click on “More screens”To change other settings related to those of the connected screens and / or to change the main screen.

Once the various screens have been configured, let’s now change some settings regarding the display of the image on the additional monitors:

1. Always from the menu Settings> Displayclick on the drop-down menu next to the item “Resizing” (in the section Scalability and layout): normally this value is set to 100%, but to avoid that the elements are too small, it is a good idea to set it to at least 125%;
   
2. Click on the resolution set under “Screen resolution”To modify it to your liking: generally this step should not be necessary, as Windows can automatically detect the optimal setting when the display is connected, but you are free to express your preference from the drop-down menu;
3. Then go to “Advanced screen settings“Under the heading”Related settings”To set the refresh rate you prefer;
   

Once this configuration has also been completed, the final step concerns the adjustment of the settings HDR (if the monitor in question supports it):

1. Under the heading “Brightness and color”Click on HDR;
   
2. Should your monitor be compatible with the technology High Dynamic Rangeyou will find a button through which it will be possible to activate it, and therefore enjoy a more dynamic view of the colors of the image.

Once this is done, you will have completed the configuration of the various monitors connected to your PC, hoping to have found the optimal setting based, of course, on your preferences.