Last Updated on April 5, 2024 by Ali Raza
If you’re interested in extending your desktop’s display and also using the laptop to serve as a third or second monitor for your computer in this informative article, we’ll guide you through the process of doing it. Although it may seem like it’s a straightforward process in which all you need is just to connect the laptop and desktop using the HDMI cable (or any other cables for video output) but the truth is that it’s not as such. There is a problem with the HDMI port that is built into the laptop that will be used to output its display, and it is not able to function as a source of video for other devices.
This means that when you wish to show the laptop’s screen on a pc screen or to a different display to increase the size of your laptop’s screen it is possible to do this by connecting the second screen to the laptop. But, you can’t attach your laptop directly to your computer via a cable for your laptop to show what your PC is producing. Here we show you How to Use Laptop as Monitor for PC in just five minutes…
To have your laptop’s screen be used as a monitor on other devices, you need to make use of built-in features within Windows or utilize third-party software to get both devices working properly. In this article, we’ll walk you through the various options available to set your laptop to function as an additional display to your PC or for use as the primary display.
How to Use Laptop as Monitor for PC to Extend the Display of Your desktop
1. The First option is to use Miracast for casting display
The first option is to utilize the Miracast feature, which can be located on Windows devices. To set it up, you will need to follow the following.
- On the Laptop You Wish to Use As A Secondary Display
- Select the Start menu, then go to the settings (the icons for gears)
- From there, click the System Icon
- Click on the “Projecting onto this computer” option from the menu on the left
- Make sure to change the first drop-down menu from Available to available (you can choose between two choices)
- Adjust the other settings in accord with preferences
- After that you can return to the primary PC you wish to use to create your laptop as a second display
- For the main pc display, you want to use your laptop display for this.
- You can click on the Notifications/Action Center icon located in the lower right-hand corner of the taskbar.
- Click Connect in the menu located at the lower right of the slide-out menu for Notifications.
- If the laptop you wish to connect is displayed, click it.
- Go back to your computer to accept your connection
- On your main PC, right-click the desktop and choose “Display Settings’
- In the Display menu, ensure that under the section “Multiple displays you’ve selected to extend your desktop to display
- Rearrange your laptop and desktop displays according to the proper order by dropping and dragging the icons of your display near the very top of your “Display Settings’ screen.
Some Compatibility Issues with Miracast
Some people may not be able to use Miracast. I was having trouble connecting my laptop to Miracast since it requires that you use Intel HD graphics and since my system is equipped with an exclusive graphics card installed in it, I could not get it to function.
Your desktop PC will require an internet link to join your laptop. Because I have an ethernet connection but don’t have Wi-Fi built-in and I’d need to install an adapter for wireless to make use of my laptop to act as an extra display.
Check Also: Acer Gaming Laptop
2. Using A Third-Party Program Like Any Desk
A better alternative that doesn’t have to be restricted by any problems with compatibility that plague Miracast is to utilize an alternative program from a third party like Any Desk.
To Any Desk, you just must install the Any Desk Drive program on your main system, and then install it is necessary to install the Any Desk Viewer program on the laptop you’d like to make an extra display on your main PC.
Instead of providing an easy-to-follow guideline on how to set up an Any Desk, you can check out this information on their official site.
With the help of Any Desk, I was able to set up my laptop as a second display more quickly and easily than using Miracast.
3. Remotely connecting to your desktop via Your Laptop
Another option that you could consider is using the display on your laptop (and its trackpad, keyboard, and mouse) to control a computer. This is somewhat different from the option of using your laptop as a display since instead, you’ll use your laptop to take full control over your main PC. If you’re looking for a method to use your less mobile laptop to connect to your desktop computer This is the best method to take.
Connecting to your desktop remotely via the laptop you use is a simple procedure that can be achieved using several third-party applications. I prefer TeamViewer because it’s an easy process to follow:
4. Use Remote to control your pc from a laptop
- Visit teamviewer.us then download TeamViewer for both your desktop pc and laptop
- Once you’ve TeamViewer downloaded then install it on both systems.
- Take the TeamViewer ID for your desktop computer.
- Open TeamViewer on your laptop
- If you are using a laptop, enter the ID for your desktop computer in the field for a Partner ID and click Connect.
- It will ask for the password to your desktop, you have to enter it, and then hit Log On.
- You’ll be able now to manage your desktop using your laptop
- Streaming Games to your Laptop via Your Desktop Utilizing Steam’s In-Home Streaming
If you are looking for gaming-related purposes You can also connect the laptop on which you play Steam games on your computer using Steam’s In- feature. I make use of this feature often when I play games at home or at a location other than my workstation (where my computer is.)
This is also advantageous since even if your laptop isn’t powerful enough to handle more demanding games, and it’s your computer, you can play the more demanding game on your computer by streaming them directly from your desktop gaming. As an example, I own a 5-year-old laptop that has a poor GPU and I’m able to play games such as The Witcher 3 on it when I stream it on my desktop.
The drawback is that you could see an increase in latency in your games. This can hinder you from playing in competitive tournaments via streaming from your home much more difficult.
Also Read: How to cast zoom to tv from Laptop
If you’d like to test streaming in-home from your computer on your laptop computer, this is how to configure it…
- Start Steam both on your desktop as well as your laptop, and sign into the game using the same account.
- On your laptop, select the game you have in your library that you would like to play.
- Instead of clicking “Play”, click the drop-down menu icon just below ‘Play’, and choose “Stream From …”
- Then hit ‘Stream’
Your laptop will begin streaming the game on your desktop. You can play with a controller or the keyboard on your laptop and an appropriate mouse for playing the game.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, I’m not sure if it’s possible to create a single, universal solution for all types of screen resolutions and refresh rates, but I’m willing to bet that the majority of laptop users are able to use their laptops to display their desktop PCs. In this article, we discussed How to Use Laptop as Monitor for PC.
