How to Set Up Multiple Monitors on Windows 11

If you’re working from home long-term, you’ll almost certainly need more than one screen. A second (or third) screen can transform your productivity, even if it’s just to separate email and messaging apps from the main task you’re working on.

But to properly set up multiple monitors on Windows 11, just plugging them in isn’t enough. A few steps are needed to make sure everything works properly, although it’s usually only needed once.

Once you’ve connected the external monitor(s) (usually via HDMI or DisplayPort), here are the settings to change.

Make sure all monitors have been detected

Before proceeding, it is important to ensure that each external monitor has been properly connected and has been recognized by Windows 11.

Head to Settings > System > Display and make sure the number of displays matches the number you have connected (including a laptop, if applicable).

If not, unplug all necessary cables and restart your device. Reconnect them and return to the same page in the settings.

Rearrange views

When you connect a monitor, Windows 11 doesn’t always arrange them the way you want. For example, a display on the right of your laptop might appear on the left side instead, making it very confusing when trying to use the cursor.

Fortunately, this can easily be adjusted:

1. Head to Settings > System > Display

2. Click on the ‘Identify’ button to see which number corresponds to which display. These will appear on all screens at the same time for a few seconds

3. To move a display, drag and drop it to another position. These changes will be automatically saved

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Set Primary Display

On Windows 11, the main display is where apps will open by default. To change this:

1. Head to Settings > System > Display

2. Click on one of the numbered displays to select it

3. Under ‘Multiple monitors’, check the box next to ‘Set this monitor as my primary monitor’. If the option is greyed out, it is already the main display

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Choose the behavior of secondary screens

When connecting an external display to Windows 11, there are two main options. “Duplicate” displays the exact same content across all screens, while “Extend” means all monitors combine to act as one big one. The latter also allows the on-screen cursor to move between them.

1. Head to Settings > System > Display

2. Click on a view you want to edit

3. Click the drop-down button to the right of “Identify”

4. Choose either ‘Duplicate these displays’ or ‘Extend these displays’. There’s also the option to only display on one screen, but that’s really only relevant for content consumption

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

5. In the pop-up window that appears, click “Keep changes” within 15 seconds

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

6. Repeat steps 2-5 for any other screens you want to edit

Adjust the size of text and other elements

For each external monitor you connect, Windows 11 will automatically increase the size of text, icons, and other key elements to something that’s comfortable for most people to see.

However, this may not always suit you. To change this:

1. Head to Settings > System > Display

2. At the top of the page, select the display you want to adjust

3. Under the ‘Scale and layout’ subheading, look for ‘Scale’.

4. Click on the drop-down menu next to it and choose a percentage. The “recommended” will be set by default, but there are usually three other options

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Choose how the taskbar appears

The taskbar is the main way to interact with Windows 11. But do you need it on all your external displays? This decision is up to you.

1. Head to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar

2. Click “Taskbar Behaviors” to expand this section

3. Check or uncheck the box next to “Show my taskbar on all screens”

4. If available, click the drop-down menu next to “When using multiple monitors, show my taskbar apps on” and choose one of the three options

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Set a different background for each screen

The background image you use on your main Windows 11 desktop doesn’t have to be the same on all external monitors. Here’s how to pick a different one for everyone:

1. Head to Settings > Personalization > Background

2. In the drop-down menu next to ‘Customize your background’, make sure ‘Image’ is selected

3. Identify one of the recent images or click “Browse Photos” and find the one you want

4. Once it appears in “Recent Pictures”, right-click and choose one of the “Set for monitor…” options.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each monitor

Don’t have a dedicated external display? Here’s how to use a laptop as a second monitor.