How to Use a Laptop as a Second Monitor

The worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic might have been temporary, but its impact on the world of work has been more permanent.

While some companies have made a full-time return to the office, many others have shifted to a hybrid system or still allow employees to work completely remotely.

And to work effectively from home, most people will need more than one display. But what if you don’t have a dedicated monitor that’s fit for purpose? A spare laptop is your best alternative.

Provided it’s running Windows 10 or Windows 11, connecting to your main computer is relatively straightforward. You can’t just connect them via USB-C or HDMI, though – laptop display ports can only output to other devices, not receive inputs.

Here’s how to do it wirelessly instead.

How to use a laptop as a second monitor in Windows 10

How to use a laptop as a second monitor in Windows 11

Fortunately, Microsoft makes it relatively easy to connect to link two laptops together. Here’s how it’s done:

1. On the device you’re using as a second screen, open Settings and select ‘Apps’ from the left pane
2. Click ‘Optional features’

3. Click the blue ‘View features’ button

4. In the search bar, type ‘display’ and tick the box next to ‘Wireless Display’ and click ‘Next’. If you don’t see it, it’s already installed

5. Click ‘Install’ from the next screen. Wait for it to finish installing, which should only take a few seconds
6. Next, click ‘System’ from the left pane, then scroll down and choose ‘Projecting to this PC’

7. Adjust the settings here to your liking, striking a balance between security and accessibility. We’d recommend the options below

8. On your main device, hit the Windows Key + P to open projection options, then choose ‘Extend’

9. Choose your second screen laptop, and the two should now be connected

The connection is wireless, so it’s not quite the same experience as having a second monitor connected via a cable, but it can be useful if you’re stuck and need a solution.

How to use a laptop as a second monitor in Windows 10

On Windows 10, the process looks slightly different, but works in much the same way:

1. On the the device you’re using as a second screen, open Settings
2. Click ‘System, then ‘Projecting this PC’ from the left pane
3. Again, you can adjust the settings here to your liking

4. From your main computer, press the Windows Key + P, and click the ‘Connect to a Wireless Display’ link at the bottom. Make sure you have your Wi-Fi turned on for this to work
5. From the options that appear, choose ‘Extend’
6. Click ‘Connect to a wireless display’, then choose the name of your other laptop when it appears

The two displays will now be linked, and you should be able to move your cursor and other files between them. You might find it’s not quite as stable as a wired connection, in which case you may still want to consider a new monitor.

Since the process on Windows 11 and Windows 10 Miracast, you might be able make your TV act as a second screen if you have Microsoft’s Wireless Display Adapter. It costs £54.99/$49.95, though stock can be patchy.

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