Setting up and using Dual Monitors on one computer together

One thing we often see, especially on popular YouTube channels or different websites, is the use of dual monitors. You may come across a setup with two screens and one computer, and wonder why you would need two computer screens and how to use them. Let me tell you that you can make the content on the two screens different. Some people misunderstand and think that the two screens will display the same content, but you can actually play a video on one screen and write on the other screen. This is the benefit of multitasking, so let me review this in this post.

Abdulrahman Mohammed previously discussed how to connect a computer screen to a laptop and use two screens. Today’s explanation is a bit different as you will need two separate screens. You can use more than two screens, but we will focus on two screens only today. Let me tell you what you will need below, and you may already have it.

You will need two computer screens that do not have to be the same size. You can use a 32-inch screen with a 15-inch screen, and they don’t have to be the same brand. However, if design is important to you, try to make them the same size. You will also need a graphics card, and you will need to connect one screen via HDMI and the other via VGA or DVI.

If you have two screens that only work with HDMI, you can install two graphics cards or one graphics card with two HDMI ports, or you can purchase an adapter to convert HDMI to VGA, but it may be pricey. If you have a screen that only supports VGA, there are inexpensive cables that can handle the task, such as VGA_TO_HDMI.

The process is very simple. You will connect the screens to the power source and then connect them according to the cable, as shown above. After connecting them, you will notice that the screens are working and displaying the same content. Now, all you need to do is adjust the settings to make both screens complement each other.

Right-click on the desktop, then click on Display Settings. From the Customize your display screen, click on Identify to see that the screens are numbered – the first and the second. Then, click on the dropdown menu next to Multiple displays and choose Extend these displays.

Then you will see that the content on the screens is different, and you can move content from one screen to another by dragging windows from one screen to another, as if they are one screen. This way, you can move a movie window to one screen and a browsing window to another.

Useful Topic: [Using a TV as a Computer Monitor]

In general, using multiple screens on the same computer is a good thing, but for me, it’s not valuable. I rarely use this feature even though I have two 32-inch screens, but it’s not beneficial for me. However, it may be different for you.