How to Turn Your Windows Laptop Into a Second Monitor with Miracast and Wireless Display in Minutes

Need more screen space but don't have an external monitor? If you have a spare Windows laptop, you can use it as a second display. Windows includes a built-in feature that lets you wirelessly extend or mirror your desktop to another Windows laptop. Here's how to set it up and turn your laptop into a second monitor.

Ensure Both PCs Support Miracast (Wireless Display)

Most modern Windows laptops support this feature, but before you begin, make sure both devices support Miracast, the wireless display technology Windows uses to extend or mirror one PC's screen to another. To check, press Win + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, click "Save All Information," save the text file, and open it.

Then, search for Miracast. If it says "Available," your laptop supports wireless display. If it says "Not Supported," you won't be able to use this feature.

7

If both laptops support Miracast, ensure they're running the latest Windows updates, that Wi-Fi is enabled on both devices, and that they're connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Set Up Wireless Display on the Receiving Laptop

The laptop you'll use as the second display must have the Wireless Display feature installed and configured before it can receive projection requests. To set it up, right-click the Start button and open "Settings." Then go to System > Optional Features, click "View Features," search for "Wireless Display," select it, and click Next > Install. If it's already installed, skip this step.

Best Deals: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 32GB

Today7 days ago30 days agoBuy

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Amazon

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Amazon

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Amazon

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Newegg

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Amazon

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Newegg

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at PC Case Gear

7

Once installed, head to Settings > System > Projecting to This PC. Here, you can configure how the laptop accepts connections, such as whether it should ask for permission before another device connects, require a PIN for added security, and other projection preferences. After everything is configured, search for "Wireless Display" in the Start menu and open the app.

7

If the setup is complete, you'll see a message indicating that the laptop is ready to receive a wireless projection. Leave this window open, then move on to the next step.

Connect From Your Primary PC Using Cast (Windows + K)

On the laptop you want to project from, press Win + K to open the Cast panel. If you've set up the other laptop correctly, it should appear in the list of available wireless displays. Select it to start the connection. When prompted on the receiving laptop, approve the connection request. If you've enabled PIN protection, enter the PIN when prompted.

Frequently Asked Questions

TweakBot answers common questions about this guide using TweakTown's own coverage from this page and related content from our archive. Tap a question to reveal the answer, or type your own below.

Question #1

How can I check if both of my Windows laptops support Miracast using dxdiag?

Click to reveal answer

Question #2

How do I initiate a wireless projection from the primary PC using the Cast (Win + K) panel?

Click to reveal answer

Question #3

What display settings should I adjust after connecting to match resolution, orientation, and scaling between laptops?

Click to reveal answer

Question #4

What project-to-this-PC permission and PIN options should I configure on the receiving laptop for security?

Click to reveal answer

Have a question not listed here? Ask below and TweakBot will answer it.

Your questionAsk

Answering your question×

TweakBot is analyzing your question…

Could not get an answer

TweakBot is generating an answer

Read More

Was TweakBot helpful?Thanks for the feedback!

7

Windows will then establish the wireless display connection, and your screen will appear on the second laptop.

Extend the Display and Customize It

By default, Windows may mirror your primary screen, showing the same content on both laptops. If you want to use the second laptop as an additional workspace instead, press Win + P and select "Extend." This treats the second laptop as a separate display, allowing you to move windows between screens and dedicate each screen to different applications.

Once the connection is established, open Settings > System > Display to fine-tune your setup. Here, you'll see both displays represented as numbered boxes. If their on-screen arrangement doesn't match their physical positions, simply drag and drop the boxes so moving your mouse between screens feels natural.

7

You can also select each display individually to adjust its resolution (for the sharpest image), display orientation (landscape or portrait), and scale if text and icons appear too small or too large. If you want your taskbar, desktop icons, and newly opened apps to appear on a specific laptop, select that display and enable "Make this my main display."

7

Use Third-Party Apps for Additional Features

While Windows' built-in Wireless Display feature works well for basic screen extension, it has a few limitations. It relies on a stable Wi-Fi connection, so if your network is slow or congested, you may notice lag or reduced image quality. It also lacks some advanced features, such as higher refresh rates, better remote input support, and cross-platform compatibility.

If you need a smoother and more feature-rich experience, consider third-party apps like SpaceDesk, Deskreen, or Parsec. These tools provide lower latency, support multiple displays, offer more customization options, and, in some cases, let you use tablets, smartphones, or devices running different operating systems as secondary displays.

Keep in mind that some of these apps require a paid subscription to unlock their full feature set, but the added features and improved performance can make them well worth the investment.

That's how you can put a spare laptop to good use by turning it into a second display instead of letting it sit unused and collect dust. The best part is that Windows' built-in Wireless Display feature doesn't require any extra hardware. Adding a second screen to your setup makes multitasking easier and helps you get more done in less time.