Setting up a Dual Monitor Display for your computer

Setting up Dual Monitors

Why would you want two monitors?

•       E-mail on one screen, work (Word, Excel, your browser) on the other screen.

•       Very convenient when editing photos

•       Bank account on one screen, spreadsheet on the other

•       Communication software (e-mail, IM, Skype) on one screen, IE on the other

If you have a laptop, you will most likely need a ‘docking station’ or ‘port replicator’ to have a dual monitor setup

DVI and VGA Ports

VGA and HDMI ports

Some laptops have multiple ports you can use

If the case of a Desktop Computer, you may have multiple ports on your Video card.

Desktop Video Card with VGA and DVI slots

You will need a combination of the following cables, or two of the same type.


DVI Video Cable




VGA Video Cable






HDMI Cable



After you connect the cables to your system or docking station , you will need to configure Windows to display your desktop the way you wish.

Click the Start button, then run and type desk.cpl and click OK

Here are the Windows 7 and Windows XP Display Properties Screens. You can choose to EXTEND your desktop, or duplicate it. Depending on the job you are performing, you will most likely choose to Extend your desktop.

Windows 7 Display Properties



Windows 7 Display Properties Screen





Windows XP Display Properties



Windows XP Display Properties Screen



You may find that you need to install the drivers from the video card manufacturer’s website to maximize the functionality of your Dual Monitor Display. That goes beyond the scope of this article.



My Setup