To extend your display on Windows 11, connect the second monitor, press Windows + P, and select Extend. Your desktop now spreads across both screens, and you can drag windows from one to the other. Then open Settings > System > Display to arrange the screens so your mouse moves between them the way you expect.
These steps follow Microsoft’s guide to using multiple monitors in Windows, which covers display modes, identifying and arranging screens, and the multiple-display options in Settings. If the second screen doesn’t show up, Microsoft’s external monitor troubleshooting guide has the fixes summarized further down.
How to extend your display on Windows 11
- Connect the second monitor to your PC with an HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C cable, and turn the monitor on. Microsoft suggests checking that cables are firmly connected to the PC or dock first. To connect a laptop to a TV, see how to use HDMI on a Windows 11 laptop.
- Press Windows + P.
- Select Extend.
- Drag a window to the edge of your main screen and keep going to move it onto the second monitor.
Each screen shows a different part of the desktop, so you can keep, for example, a browser on one and a document on the other.
What the Windows + P options mean
- PC screen only: shows everything on one display.
- Duplicate: shows the same thing on all displays, which is handy for presenting.
- Extend: spreads your desktop across the screens so you can move items between them.
- Second screen only: shows everything on the second display only, for example when a laptop is closed and docked.
How to arrange extended displays
- Select Start > Settings > System > Display.
- Select Identify. A number appears on each screen so you know which box is which. Windows picks these numbers, and our guide explains whether monitor identity numbers can be changed.
- Drag the numbered boxes to match where the monitors sit on your desk, side by side or one above the other.
- Select Apply, then move your mouse pointer across the screens to test the layout.
The pointer and windows cross between screens at the edge where the monitors actually meet. To pick which screen is your main display, see how to change your main display in Windows 11.
Useful settings for extended displays
- Taskbar on every screen: right-click the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, expand Taskbar behaviors, and check Show my taskbar on all displays, per Microsoft’s taskbar guide.
- Window positions when you undock: in Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays, use Remember window locations based on monitor connection and Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected. Microsoft notes that Windows puts windows back where they were when you re-dock.
- Resolution, scale and refresh rate: select a display on the Display page to change its settings separately from the other screen.
If the second monitor isn’t detected
- Press Windows + P and make sure Extend is selected.
- Go to Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays and select Detect.
- Disconnect docks, dongles and adapters, then try a different cable or a different video port (HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI or VGA).
- Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver; the screen may flash briefly.
- Restart the PC and install updates from Settings > Windows Update.
- If problems started after a driver update, open Device Manager > Display adapters, open your adapter’s properties, and use Roll Back Driver on the Driver tab.
Once Windows detects the screen, it appears as a numbered box on the Display page and you can choose Extend.
Extend to a wireless display
If your TV or monitor supports wireless display (or you use a wireless display adapter), press Windows + K to open Cast and select it. Then press Windows + P and choose Extend. If it doesn’t appear, Microsoft says to use Settings > System > Display > Multiple displays > Connect. Our guide on how to screen share on Windows 11 covers more wireless options.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose which screen is my main display?
In Settings > System > Display, select the screen, then check Make this my main display. See how to change your main display.
Can I extend my display to three monitors?
Yes, if your PC or dock has enough video outputs and your graphics adapter supports it. Microsoft suggests getting one external monitor working first, then checking with the adapter maker about multi-monitor support. See our guide on how to set up multiple monitors on Windows 11.
Why do my windows move when I unplug the monitor?
That’s the Multiple displays behavior described above. Change the two checkboxes in Display settings if you’d rather windows stay put.
Presenting a PowerPoint deck on the extended screen? See how to hide the toolbar in a PowerPoint full-screen slideshow.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
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