Windows 10: Can I use my laptop as a primary monitor for my desktop?

Discus and support Can I use my laptop as a primary monitor for my desktop? in Windows 10 Ask Insider to solve the problem; Via hdmi submitted by /u/celestial_god [link] [comments]... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Ask Insider' started by /u/celestial_god, Jan 30, 2021.

  1. Can I use my laptop as a primary monitor for my desktop?

    /u/celestial_god, Jan 30, 2021
    #1
  2. Swapna S Win User

    Desktop shortcuts appear on external monitor instead of pc

    Hi,

    I will certainly help you with the issue you are experiencing in getting
    desktop shortcuts on your PC from External monitor.

    This issue might occur due to default settings where you are not able to view the desktop shortcuts on the PC, you are looking for.

    Before proceeding further, I would like to ask few questions for better assistance:


    • Which edition of Windows are you working with?
    Please follow below mentioned steps to fix the issue:


    • Plug in the second monitor which physically sits to the left of your primary screen

    • Right click the desktop, choose
      Graphic Options>Output To>Extended Desktop> Built-in display + Monitor.

    • Extended desktop enabled, but screen 2 (on the left) can only be accessed by moving the cursor to the right.

    • Right click the desktop and choose
      Graphic Properties - choose 'Multiple Displays' from the side menu.

    • Move monitor 2 from its default
      'Right' side to the left – all the icons go with it
      to screen 2 but the taskbar stays on the primary monitor.

    • Click 'Apply' to accept this (temporarily) - close the
      'properties' window.

    • Right Click the desktop, but this time choose
      'Screen Resolution'. Ensure that screen 2 is to the left - if not, move it.

    • Click on screen 1 and ensure it says
      'This is currently your main display'

    • Click on screen 2 and tick the box that says
      'Make this my main display' - the taskbar should move to screen 2.

    • Finally click on Screen 1 again and tick the box that says
      'Make this my main display' - the taskbar and
      all the icons should move back to screen 1.
    I would like to Inform/suggest, Press the
    Windows key + P, and then choose a way to project:


    • PC screen only
      – All your desktop shortcuts will be seen only on primary monitor/Desktop.

    • Duplicate- Desktop Shortcuts that is on primary monitor/Desktop will replicate on Secondary monitor too.

    • Extend- Primary monitor will be extended to Secondary monitor. But all the desktop shortcuts will appear only on primary monitor. (If you want to have the desktop
      shortcuts that’s on primary monitor on secondary monitor, you can just drag the shortcuts from primary to secondary monitor and check if that helps).

    • Second screen only- All your desktop shortcuts will be seen only on Secondary monitor/Desktop.
    Please get back to us, if you still facing issue
    in getting desktop shortcuts on your PC from External monitor.

    Thank you.
     
    Swapna S, Jan 30, 2021
    #2
  3. DKJu Win User
    Desktop icons move to primary monitor after connecting external monitor

    Original title: Desktop icons move

    After I arrange my desktop icons on my laptop, everything is fine until I plug in an external monitor. Then all icons move to the right of my laptop screen which is my primary display. How do I correct this problem so that icons DO NOT move with an external
    monitor attached?
     
  4. Nikhar_K Win User

    Can I use my laptop as a primary monitor for my desktop?

    How to make external monitor as primary monitor?

    Hi,

    Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

    We understand that you want to make the external monitor connected to the laptop as a primary display and do not want to mirror the laptop display.

    We would suggest you to refer the steps mentioned below:

    1. Press Windows key + P, and select
      Extend.
    2. Now, press Windows key + I, to open
      Settings.
    3. Click on System, and select
      Display
      on the left pane.
    4. Now, under Rearrange your displays, click on Identify to
      Identify the displays.
    5. Click on the display number that is for external monitor.
    6. Scroll down, and click on the checkbox for
      Make this my main display.


    Refer the screenshots below:

    Identify and select Display:


    Can I use my laptop as a primary monitor for my desktop? 011e4133-69c0-4702-8fd5-668b7efa16bb?upload=true.png


    Select Primary display:


    Can I use my laptop as a primary monitor for my desktop? 2aee1086-e3a9-454e-96b5-5fc599d2efbc?upload=true.png


    For additional information, see
    Set up dual monitors on Windows 10
    .

    Let us know how it goes.

    Regards,

    Nikhar Khare

    Microsoft Community - Moderator
     
    Nikhar_K, Jan 30, 2021
    #4
Thema:

Can I use my laptop as a primary monitor for my desktop?

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