A multi-monitor configuration can greatly increase your productivity while multitasking with various applications. This is because adding one or two extra displays will help you create a wider canvas on which to spread your tasks. Having said that, these configurations are only useful if you are aware of the appropriate steps to take in order to set them up. You do not need to depend on any third-party software or help from a technical support specialist in order to make everything function properly on Windows 11. The operating system provides you with a wide variety of choices and capabilities to handle two, three, four, or even more screens. This guide will walk you through the steps necessary to set up an enhanced multi-monitor experience with Windows 11 Built-in Features.
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Before continuing with these instructions, make sure that all of the monitors are properly connected, including the power and signal cords (HDMI or DisplayPort), and that they are all turned on. You should also check that Windows 11 is able to recognize the displays; if you want more information, check out this comprehensive tutorial that explains how to fix problems with an external display.
How to rearrange displays on Windows 11 to Enhance Multi-monitor Experience
When trying to set up a dual-monitor or triple-monitor arrangement, it is possible to connect the displays in an incorrect order on the graphics card. Windows 11 has an option that allows you to rearrange them so that they are connected in the proper order.
To rearrange multiple displays on Windows 11, use the steps below. Please take a look at these exciting guides: How to start HyperV VMs in safe mode, how to fix “MBAM Policy was detected: Verify the OU used for pre-deployment does not apply MBAM policy“, and how to change Regional Settings for all users on Windows 11.
Press the Windows key + I key together to open Settings and click on System. And then select the Display page on the right side.
Click the Identify button to determine which monitor you are rearranging.
Drag and drop to rearrange each display according to its physical layout on the desktop. Confirm all monitors align at the top perfectly. Otherwise, you may have problems moving the mouse between displays from the corners.
Click the Apply button to apply the display settings.
After completing the procedures, the new layout setting will apply, enabling you to operate across displays and execute applications without difficulties.
How to choose primary display on Windows 11 to Enhance Multi-monitor Experience
On Windows 11, you have the ability to choose which of your monitors should serve as the system’s default, therefore informing the operating system where programs should launch automatically. You can also read multiple monitors docking in windows via this link.
To change which monitor is the primary, use these steps:
Press the Windows key + I key together to open Settings and click on System, click the Display page on the right side and select the display you want to make your primary display which is usually coloured blue.
Click the Multiple displays, from the drop down, tick the “Make this my main display” option.
Once you complete the steps, you will notice a visual effect on the screen confirming that your setting has been applied. You may want to read these guides too. How to query Windows BitLocker status remotely, and how to fix Microsoft Teams GIFs or Images not working.
How to Enable multiple displays features
On Windows 11, there are a few new features that enhance the multi-monitor experience. When you unplug the external display, for example, all applications on the secondary display will instantly decrease. When you reconnect the display, the applications will instantly revert to their original place.
To enable these features, use these steps. Press the Windows key + I key together to open Settings and click on System. And then select the Display page on the right side.
Click the Multiple displays setting and check the box next to the two options below:
- Check the “Remember window locations based on monitor connection” option.
- Check the “Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected” option.
When disconnecting the external monitor, all the apps will minimize in the Taskbar when using these settings. Then when you reconnect the display, all the apps will restore automatically to their original locations.
How to select viewing mode for multiple displays on Windows 11
Altering the displays’ modes of presentation is another option that is open to users. For instance, you can show the same material on both displays by expanding the primary desktop over the additional display or mirroring both monitors. This might be useful if you need to show the same thing during a presentation. You also have the option to turn off the display on the laptop and make use of the external monitor as the only screen.
Choose view mode in Settings
To change the Windows 11 viewing mode, use these steps:
Press the Windows key + I key together to open Settings and click on System.
Click the Display page on the right side and select the monitor you want to customize.
Use the drop-down menu on the bottom-right and select the viewing mode:
- Duplicate — Shows the same desktop across displays.
- Extend — Expands the desktops of the first display across all displays.
- Show only on 1 – Show the display on the PC only.
- Show only on 2 – Show the display on the monitor(s) only.
After you complete the steps, the new configuration will apply. The settings would be different depending on the monitors connected to the computer.
Choose view mode in Project flyout
Windows 11 also allows you to switch display modes on the fly using the Project feature, which you can access using the Windows key + P keyboard shortcut.
Once you invoke the shortcut, a Project flyout will open from the right side with four options:
- PC screen only — Only the primary display is used.
- Duplicate — Secondary displays will mirror the primary monitor.
- Extend — Both screens are combined to offer an extended desktop.
- Second screen only — Only the secondary displays are used.
The “Extend” option is the one you should use most of the time since it enables you to use the primary monitor normally while the secondary monitor maintains its original resolution, which results in a single wider canvas.
The “Duplicate” option is also useful when showing a presentation on a second monitor or projector, but only in such circumstances.
The “Second screen only” option, on the other hand, is ideal for situations in which you wish to shut the lid of your laptop and operate only with an external display.
How to change scale and layout settings on Windows 11
Even though Windows 11 automatically applies the best display settings, if you wish to see items at a bigger size than what is advised, you will need to modify the scaling, resolution, and orientation of each monitor.
Choose predefined scale settings
When working with several monitors of varying sizes and screen resolutions, the scale settings may come in quite helpful for keeping text, icons, frames, and other display elements the same size across all the displays. If you have a display with a high resolution, you can make text and other elements seem larger and more legible by adjusting the scale option.
To change the scale settings for a better viewing experience, use these steps: Press the Windows key + I key together to open Settings and click on System. Click the Display page on the right side and select the monitor you want to customize.
Under the “Scale & layout” section, use the Scale setting and choose the appropriate scale option.
To use the Custom scaling setting, click on Scale and use a different scaling size between 100% and 500%.
To apply the settings, click the check button. If you use the Custom scaling, you will need to sign out of the account and sign back in to see the new changes. If the scaling doesn’t look right, return to the settings and tweak the scaling setting until you get a proper configuration.
To use the predefined scale settings again, turn off custom scaling and sign out. Otherwise, the option will be grayed out.There are more useful options that you can tweak if you wish to change the view of the display monitor(s), such as the Display resolution and the Display orientation. Adjusting these settings will allow you to customize the view of the display monitor(s). You can experiment with these settings and observe the behaviour of your display as a result of doing so.
How to show Taskbar across multiple monitors on Windows 11
To show the Taskbar across displays to reflect the Enhanced Multi-monitor Experience with Windows 11, use these steps:
Press the Windows key + I key together to open Settings and click on Personalization. Under the personalization settings, click on Taskbar on the right side of the page.
You will have to click on the Taskbar behaviours setting and tick the “Show my taskbar on all displays” option.
Use the “When using multiple displays, show my taskbar apps” setting and choose how apps will appear in the Taskbar:
- All taskbars.
- Main taskbar and taskbar when the window is open.
- Taskbar where the window is open.
- After you complete the steps, the Taskbar will appear across all monitors.
Change the background on multiple displays on Windows 11
You can also use the slideshow option in Windows 11 to change the background picture on each display, or you can manually pick a different wallpaper for each monitor. Both of these options enable you to make the experience seem more tailored to your preferences.
Show different wallpapers on each monitor(s) with a slideshow
In order to change the wallpaper of each monitor with the slideshow option, use these steps:
Hit the Windows key + I key together to open Settings and click on Personalization. Under the personalization settings, click on Background on the right side of the screen.
Select the Slideshow option from the “Personalize your background” setting and click the Browse button.
Open a folder with a collection of images to rotate on all the monitors and click the Choose this folder button. Change the rotation frequency using the “Change picture every” drop-down menu.
To randomize the display, turn on the Shuffle toggle switch. If you use different image sizes, use the “Choose a fit for your desktop image” drop-down menu and select the Fill option.
Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will randomly assign a wallpaper, depending on the rotation frequency you selected.
Show different wallpapers manually to reflect the Enhanced Multi-monitor Experience with Windows 11
Set a different background for each display manually, use these steps:Press the Windows key + I key together to open Settings and click on Personalization. Under the personalization settings, click on Background on the right side of the screen.
You will have to select the Picture option from the “Personalize your background” setting.
now, right-click the image you want to use, select the “Set for desktop” submenu, and choose the monitor to display the wallpaper.
After you complete the steps, repeat the instructions to assign a different background for the remaining monitors in order to have an Enhanced Multi-monitor Experience with Windows 11.
I hope you find this post helpful. In this guide, you have learned how to set up Enhanced Multi-monitor Experience with Windows 11. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section below.