Have you ever found yourself wishing for just one more screen without having to buy a whole new monitor? It happens to the best of us, especially when you’re trying to juggle multiple tasks. You might look at your perfectly good laptop sitting nearby and wonder, “Can I use this as a second screen?” The good news is, in many cases, you absolutely can.
Turning your laptop into an external display is a clever way to extend your digital workspace. Whether you want to mirror your main computer’s screen for a presentation or extend your desktop to keep an eye on your email while you work, it’s a handy trick to know. Let’s look at the most common ways to make it happen.
Using Built-in Software on Windows
If both your main computer and your laptop are running Windows 10 or 11, you’re in luck. Microsoft includes a feature called Projecting to this PC. You can find this option by going to Settings > System > Display on the laptop you want to use as the monitor. Once you enable it, you can connect to it from your primary PC by opening the Action Center and selecting Connect. It creates a wireless second screen that’s surprisingly responsive for general tasks.
Connecting with a Third-Party Application
For those who need a cross-platform solution or have an older version of Windows, third-party software is your best friend. Applications like Space Desk or Parsec are popular choices. The process is generally straightforward: you install the “host” software on your main computer and the “viewer” or “client” software on the laptop. After a quick setup, the two machines connect over your network, letting you use the laptop screen as an extension of your primary desktop. This method often works between Windows and macOS machines, too.
What About a Physical Cable?
It’s a common misconception that you can simply connect an HDMI cable from your desktop to your laptop. Most laptops are only equipped with an HDMI output port, not an input port, meaning they can send a signal out but not accept one in. While there are some very specific and often expensive hardware adapters that can make this work, for the vast majority of users, the software methods described above are the most practical and cost-effective solutions.
Using your laptop as a second monitor is a brilliant way to boost your productivity without spending extra money. With a little bit of setup using your operating system’s built-in tools or a free application, you can create a flexible, dual-monitor setup in no time. It’s a simple change that can make a big difference in your daily workflow.
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