Connecting Laptop (Mac) (Windows) to an External Display

Owned by Gianna Goodermuth
Last updated: Sept 15, 2023 by Neal Pynenberg
3 min read

Windows

Windows 10 laptop method #1

  1. Make sure your external display is connected with correct cable and powered on

    • For connection cable, consult user manual for appropriate cable

  2. Turn the laptop on

  3. After the desktop loads press the Windows Logo Key + "P" then select one of the follow options

  • PC screen only - image will only appear on laptop and not on external display

  • Duplicate - same image will appear on laptop and external display 

  • Extend - image will appear as an extension of your desktop

  • Second screen only - image will only appear on external display and not on laptop

Windows 10 laptop method #2 

  1. Connect laptop to external display using connection cable

    • Consult user manual for appropriate cable 

  2. Right-click any empty area of your desktop

  3. Click Display Setting  

                                                                                                                          

  4. Click on the Multiple displays drop-down list

  5. Select one of the following:

    • Duplicate these displays - same image will appear on laptop and external display 

    • Extend these displays - image will appear as an extension of your desktop

Mac

  1. Make sure your external display is connected with the correct cable and powered on.

    • For connection cable, consult user manual for appropriate cable

  2. Open System Preferences. (System Settings on macOS releases 13 and later)

  3. From the View menu, choose Displays

     

     

  4. Click on the Arrangement tab



     

  5. For macOS 11 and macOS 12:
    Check the Mirror Displays checkbox if you would like to have the same image appear on laptop and external display.
    Uncheck to have the image appear as an extension of your desktop


    For macOS 13 and beyond
    Hold down the option key and drag the displays on top of each other if you would like to have the same image appear on laptop and external display.

    To reverse this selection, simply hold down the option key and drag the displays apart.