Change Display Settings
As our campus incorporates more laptops on campus, you may need to know how to configure your display settings for multiple monitors. For example, if you are faculty and have a laptop that you use on a dock, you may need different display settings if you then use your laptop with a projector in a classroom.
How to access your display settings (Windows 7)
How to access your display settings (Windows 10)
Display settings explanation (Windows 7)
Display settings explanation (Windows 10)
Common display configurations (Windows 7)
Common display configurations (Windows 10)
Taskbar settings for use with extended multiple monitors (Windows 10)
How to get to your display settings (Windows 7)
Right click on the desktop background. Choose Personalize. On the lower left of the window that comes up, choose Display. Then, Change display settings.
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How to get to your display settings (Windows 10)
Right click on the desktop background. Choose Display Settings.
Display settings explanation (Windows 7)
Here are explanations for the main display settings.
The Multiple displays dropdown menu:
Display settings explanation (Windows 10)
Here are explanations for the main display settings.
The Multiple displays dropdown menu:
Common display configurations (Windows 7)
1 of 2. Laptop or Desktop PC with second monitor, extended display (shows different things on different monitors)
In your display settings, change the Multiple displays option to Extend these displays. Don't forget to click Apply. Also, remember that you can click and drag the graphics representing the monitors to match the setup of your physical displays.
2 of 2. Laptop with second monitor, laptop lid shut
If you use a laptop with a large second monitor, some people choose to not use their laptop screen at all in this situation, and leave it shut. Here's how to accomplish that.
Go to the Start Menu and enter Power Options in the search box, then press Enter.
Then click here:
Choose Do Nothing
Change the Multiple displays option to Duplicate these displays. Don't forget to click Apply. After you do so, shut the laptop lid, and the second screen should stay on.
Common display configurations (Windows 10)
1 of 2. Laptop or Desktop PC with second monitor, extended display
Right click on the desktop and choose Display settings.
In your display settings, change the Multiple displays option to Extend these displays. The change should take effect immediately. Also, remember that you can click and drag the graphics representing the monitors to match the setup of your physical displays.
2 of 2. Laptop with second monitor, laptop lid shut (Windows 10)
If you use a laptop with a large second monitor, some people choose to not use their laptop screen at all in this situation, and leave it shut. Here's how to do it.
In the Taskbar search box, enter Power & sleep, and press Enter.
In the Power & sleep settings, click Additional power settings.
Click Choose what closing the lid does.
Next, change the When I close the lid options to Do nothing. Click Save changes.
Right click on the desktop background, choose Display settings. When that window comes up, in the Multiple displays menu, choose Duplicate these displays. The changes should take effect immediately.
Taskbar settings for use with extended multiple monitors (Windows 10)
There are some helpful settings related to your taskbar (the bar at the bottom of the screen). Unfortunately, these settings are for Windows 10 only, as Windows 7 will not extend the taskbar across multiple monitors.To access these settings, right click in an empty portion of the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings. Below is a graphic representing a common set of taskbar options for use with multiple monitors.
Need more help?
- 24/7 Phone: 606.546.1650
- Email: support@unionky.edu
- Walk-Ins: Black Technology Center Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm