Welcome to this tutorial on how to use a Windows laptop as a wireless monitor. In today’s age of remote work, having two screens can greatly enhance productivity. But did you know that you can turn your Windows laptop into a second monitor without purchasing a new monitor? In this guide, we will show you how to connect your laptop running Windows 10 to your PC or another laptop as an additional display using a wireless connection. Let’s get started!
Configure the Receiving PC
Before connecting your two Windows machines, you need to enable the connection on the PC you want to use as a wireless monitor (we’ll call it the “Receiver PC”). Follow these steps:
- Click the Start button on the Receiver PC, type “Projecting to this PC” in the search box, and click “Projecting to this PC.”
- In the Settings window, choose “Available everywhere” or “Available everywhere on secure networks” from the first dropdown menu. The latter option ensures that only devices on secure networks can connect.
- In the second dropdown menu, select “First time only” if you plan to use this PC as a monitor frequently. This will prevent constant notifications from new devices trying to project to the PC.
- If necessary, turn on the “Require PIN for pairing” option for added security. You can also choose to prevent projection when the laptop is not plugged in to preserve battery life.
- Note down the PC name displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Establish the Connection
Now that your Receiver PC is ready, you can project your screen from the main computer. Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key and “P” on your keyboard to open the Project menu. If you are using a touch screen, swipe in from the left and tap “Project” at the bottom of the Action Center menu.
- In the Project menu, click or tap the “Connect to a wireless display” link.
- After a moment, the Receiver PC you configured earlier will appear in the list. Select it.
- The Receiver PC will display a screen indicating that it is about to connect. If you set up a PIN or permission request, you’ll need to check and approve the connection.
- By default, on first connection, the secondary machine will mirror the screen of your primary PC. If you want to use the secondary PC as a full extended monitor, proceed to the next step.
Adjust Your Monitor
To make full use of your wireless monitor, follow these steps to modify the display settings:
- Click the Start button on your main PC, type “Change display settings” in the search box, and select the “Change display settings” option.
- In the Display settings menu, treat your host PC like any standard monitor. Open the “Multiple displays” drop-down menu and choose the “Extend these displays” option. Save the changes.
- Your desktop space now spans across the screens of both your primary PC and the receiving PC. You can run programs on both screens simultaneously or extend a single program window.
- If the default location of the receiving PC’s screen (to the right of the main PC) doesn’t match your physical configuration, you can drag and rearrange the screens in the display settings menu.
- Note that the receiving PC runs its own instance of Windows under the projected desktop. You can access it by using Alt+Tab or swiping from the left edge of the touch screen. The projected monitor is labeled as “Connect”.
- To control the primary PC using the mouse, keyboard, or touchscreen on the receiving PC, open the Action Center (Windows key + A or swipe from the right) and click “Allow input”. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to access Windows “below” the projected monitor.
- To stop using the receiving PC as a wireless monitor, press Windows key + P or open the Action Center, tap “Project”, and click or tap “Disconnect”. The wireless monitor will also stop functioning if the receiving PC is powered off.
More Interesting Info
Using your Windows laptop as a wireless monitor is not only a cost-effective solution but also a versatile way to enhance productivity. It allows you to easily expand your work area without the need for additional hardware. However, keep in mind that you may experience some latency or performance issues depending on your network setup.
As technology continues to evolve, more advanced solutions for wireless display connectivity are being developed. Stay updated with the latest tech news and developments to explore even more possibilities of using your devices together seamlessly.
By following this guide, you can transform your Windows laptop into a wireless monitor and make the most out of your work setup. Enjoy the flexibility and convenience of having an additional screen without spending extra money!
Remember, the key to a successful wireless monitor setup is ensuring that both your main PC and the receiver PC support Miracast wireless connectivity. Now go ahead and give it a try!
Thank you for reading this guide on how to use a Windows laptop as a wireless monitor. We hope you found it helpful and informative. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us. Happy multitasking and stay productive!
