How to have multiple monitors or displays on a computer

Updated: 11/12/2024 by Computer Hope

Below is a listing of the most common methods of having a computer with multiple monitors as a display.

Hardware

The most common method of connecting multiple monitors is to use a hardware solution. Examples of hardware solutions include a video card with multiple connections, multiple adapters, using a laptop dualview mode, or using an external hardware device.

Video card with multiple DVI and HDMI connectors

Video card with multiple connections

High-end video cards have multiple DVI (Digital Visual Interface) or HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connectors. Computers with these cards support a different monitor for each connector. In the example picture, this video card has two DVI and two HDMI connectors to connect multiple monitors to the same computer.

Multiple video adapters

Installing multiple video cards or video cards that support multiple displays into your computer lets you connect multiple monitors to your computer.

Laptop dualview mode

Laptop or desktop computers with advanced video cards that support dualview mode can duplicate what is displayed on their computer or stretch the display horizontally or vertically. Once another external display is connected to the computer, you can use dualview mode in Microsoft Windows by following the steps below.

  1. Open the Control Panel
  2. Double-click Display.
  3. In the Display properties window, click the Settings tab.
  4. In the Settings tab, under the Display heading, click the down arrow, and select the secondary display connected to your computer.
  5. Once selected, check the Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor option.

If your external display is not shown by Windows, your computer does not support this feature.

External hardware device

Finally, there are external hardware solutions to have a multiple-monitor display on your computer.

OREI SplitExtended HDMI Splitter- An HDMI splitter can allow multiple HDMI displays on a computer with only one HDMI connector using USB (Universal Serial Bus). In our example, the OREI SplitExtended HDMI Splitter supports extended display and mirror display.

Note

Whether choosing the above splitter or another HDMI splitter, make sure it supports using multiple monitors. Some splitters only support mirror display or split an HDMI cable between two displays. Also, realize that USB solutions require at least one USB port and may require software to be installed.

Matrox Multi-Monitor Controllers - External hardware devices that connect to your computer and allow you to connect two, three, or four displays. Once everything is connected, you can have multiple monitors without needing additional video cards.

Tip

If you use any of the above suggestions but are still having difficulty, we suggest reviewing our Ultramon software solution.

Software

Another popular, easy, and fast method of connecting multiple monitors to a computer is through software. However, although these solutions are easy, there are a few disadvantages:

  1. Each extra monitor you want to connect to the computer must also connect to another computer or laptop running the software.
  2. For this to work, you must have computers networked together.

Spacedesk

Spacedesk is a great program for connecting multiple monitors to one computer. Install the program on each of the computers with the displays you want to use and then run the program. You can also switch to remote control mode, which lets you control the other computer remotely.

Ultramon

Ultramon is a program for controlling and managing a computer with a multiple-monitor setup. Ultramon has improved window management, a Taskbar on each monitor, special shortcuts, screen savers for each of the monitors connected, and mirroring the display to other monitors.