How do I control screen mirroring or spanning with multiple monitors on Windows computers?

Method 1: Win + P Keyboard Shortcut.

Close all open programs.

Hold down the Windows logo key and press the P key on your keyboard.
Select one of the following options:

Computer only: This setting will show the screen image only on your laptop monitor.
Duplicate: This setting will duplicate your laptop screen image on both monitors based on the monitor with the lower resolution.
Extend: This setting allows you to move a window from one monitor to the other by clicking the Title Bar of the window and dragging the window to a new location.
Projector only: This setting is typically chosen when your laptop is used as a desktop computer, so you can enjoy the higher resolution of a large external monitor.

Method 2: Screen Resolution Menu.

Close all open programs.

Right-click an empty area on your desktop, and then click Screen Resolution.

Click the Multiple Displays drop-down list, and then select Extend These Displays or Duplicate These Displays.
If you cannot see the additional monitor(s) listed, click Detect. If it does not work, try restarting your computer and repeat steps 1 and 2.

Duplicate these displays: This setting will duplicate your laptop screen image on both monitors based on the monitor with the lower resolution.
Extend these displays: This setting allows you to move a window from one monitor to the other by clicking the title bar of the window and dragging the window to a new location.
Show desktop only on 1: This setting is typically chosen when your laptop is used as a desktop computer so you can enjoy the higher resolution of a large external monitor.

Click Identify Monitors to see which monitor is number 1 and which is number 2; then drag the monitor icons to reorder their positions to match the physical setup you have chosen.

Click the Resolution drop down menu, and select a screen resolution by moving the slider arrow right or left; then click OK.

If the new settings are compatible, your computer screen will reappear with the new settings in place. To change display resolution settings back to the previous setting, hold down the Windows Logo key and press the P key to change the mode to computer only.

Click Yes if you want to keep the new settings.

Restart your computer to ensure that the changes are saved.

Creation date: 3/22/2017 10:04 AM Updated: 3/22/2017 10:04 AM