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How to use a Surface Pro or laptop as a second monitor
6 min. read
Published onFebruary 1, 2021
published onFebruary 1, 2021
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Working or schooling from home often means you’ll need a second monitor experience. It helps you see more of your open windows and apps and can help improve your productivity. However, a second monitor can be quite expensive, with some ranging from $80, all the way up to $200 and beyond.
That said, did you know that if you have a spare laptop or Surface, you can use its screen as a dedicated monitor via Wi-Fi thanks to Miracast? You even can use its keyboard and mouse to control your main PC, too. In thisguide, we’ll look at how you can do that.
Prerequisites
Before getting started, there are a couple of things to note. First off, it’s important to mention that using a laptop or a Surface as a second monitor for your primary PC requires Wi-Fi, as the connections will happen through a network. Make sure both PCs are on the same Wi-Fi network, too, as they’ll need to share data with each other.
Secondly, your PC will also need to be running theWindows 10 Anniversary Updateor newer. This is because you need to check to see if your PC supports the Miracast protocol. Most modern PCs support it, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
We also want to note that, on some Windows editions, you might need to install an optional feature to get started. You’ll need to do this on both the host PC, and the guest PC — otherwise known as the one you’re projecting to, and the one you’re projecting from.
To begin, on both PCs, search in the Windows 10 settings forProjection Settings. If the settings are all grayed out, you’ll need to install theOptional Featuresand add theWireless Displayoptional feature.
To do this, clickOptional Featuresand then clickAdd a feature. Search forWireless Displayand then choose the check box, and clickInstall.
Configure your Surface or second PC as a monitor
That done, now you can actually configure your PCs for wireless casting. Follow and configure these settings on both the host PC (your main PC) and also the Surface (or second laptop or PC) you’ll be projecting to use as a monitor.
OpenSettings, click onSystemand then chooseProjecting to this PC.From there, look at the drop-down menus forSome Windows and Android devices can project to this PC. You can either chooseAvailable everywhereorAvailable everywhere on secure networks.
We suggest choosingAvailable everywhereas it is the easiest. However, if you’re conscious about security, you can choose the second option to ensure a safe connection.
In the second drop-down box forAsk to project to this PC,we also suggest you useEvery time a connection is required.This is the most secure. You’ll also want to make sure that you haveAlwaysselected, which is located underneathRequire a PIN for pairing.If you prefer a faster pairing method, though, you can disable this.
Finally, in the last box, be sure to choose the toggle switch toOff. This makes it so that you use the second PC as a portable display on the go (away from power, while on battery.) You can toggle the switch toOnif you prefer to use power only and conserve battery life.
Connecting to your Surface or second PC as a monitor
With all the settings configured, you can now connect your main PC to your Surface or your second laptop or PC as a monitor. Hit the Windows Key and the P key on your main PC. This will open up the projection options. ChooseExtendfrom the list
You should see an option forConnect to a Wireless display.Be sure to choose this and then look for the name of your PC or your Surface that you’re using as a second monitor.
Click it, and then on the pop-up prompt on your second PC, laptop, or Surface, chooseAlways Allow,and thenOKto allow your Surface or Second PC to connect to the main one.
You’ll then need to go back to your Surface or second PC, chooseAlways Allowin the prompt at the bottom of your screen, and then clickOK.
Finally, back on your main PC, and enter the PIN on the screen you see on your Surface, second PC, or laptop. Once you click enter, you’ll then see that your Surface is now mirroring your main PC.
You can then change the settings as you’d like. Simply hit the Windows Key and P on your main PC, and then chooseConnect to a Wireless displayand thenChange Projection Mode. You can switch it so your Surface is an extended display, rather than a mirrored display by choosingExtend.
If you like, you also can chooseAllow mouse, keyboard, and inputfrom this device so you can use your Surface’s touch screen to drag around windows, etc. You can then head intoDisplay Settingson your main PC to drag around the displays or change the order of the displays.
Changing settings and disconnecting
Do note that there are some additional settings you can configure for projection. On your main PC, click the settings icon next to theDisconnectbutton at the top middle of your screen.
You can choose how you are projecting. You can chooseGaming, Working,orWatching Videos.This will change the latency and the stream settings to ensure optional quality.
When you’re done using your Surface or laptop or secondary PC as a display, you can disconnect. Simply hit the Windows Key and P controls on your keyboard. Then, chooseConnect to a Wireless display.From there, chooseDisconnect. And your session will be disconnected.
Did you find this guide helpful? Has this helped improve your setup at home? Let us know in the comments below.
Updated November 8, 2022.
Radu Tyrsina
Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).
For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.
Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.
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