Working with multiple monitors can improve both your productivity and your health. In this blog post, you will learn how to configure multiple monitors as well as useful shortcuts and applications that help you to take full advantage of every inch.
Mar 14, 2012 - Made this from leftover plywood I had from another project. Kinda threw it together one evening while my wife was out. The drawers run on a wood track and have a little lip under them in the front so I didn't have to put on any handle to grab. 6 Ways to Improve Your Dual Monitor Setup If you're using two or more monitors, there are a few things you can do to optimize your computer setup. By Whitson Gordon July 20, 2020, 9:13 p.m.
If you need to do some hardcore multitasking on your Windows PC, a second monitor can go a long way towards getting things done. If you opt to 'extend' your Windows desktop across a dual monitor setup, it's as if you have two computers side by side, with each display getting its own set of windows and programs that can be open simultaneously. Hack 120: Optimize Your Dual Monitors. Platform Windows. Studies show that the extra screen real estate afforded by multiple monitors can increase computer users’ productivity. 1 If you’ve added another monitor to your computer setup, you’ve got double the screen real estate to get things done — but are you putting all that space to good use? This work from home office space hack shows you how to create a shareable, dual-monitor setup without utilizing an expensive, complicated and desk cluttering.
(This is a continuation of last weeks blog post How multiple monitors boost productivity.)
Setting up multiple monitors
This video tells you all you need to know to get ready to start working with multiple monitors.
Not enough video connectors on your computer?
What do you do if you do not have enough video connectors? No problem!
There are loads of USB adaptors that enables you to add an extra monitor using a USB port. A search on Amazon shoves that by spending 30 to 50 dollars, you get an adapter with good reviews.
This USB 2.0 to VGA / DVI / HDMI Video Graphics Adapter for Multiple Monitors up to 1920×1080 costs $35 on Amazon.com.
Configuring your mouse pointer and taskbar
Show the location of the mouse pointer
With multiple monitors, finding your mouse pointer can be a challenge. A smart trick is to tick off the checkbox at the bottom of the below picture. Then the location of the mouse pointer will be shown when you hit the Ctrl key. You find the Mouse Properties under Mouse in the Control Panel.
Extend the taskbar (Windows 8 and Windows 10)
Dual Monitor Hacks Roblox
By showing the Windows taskbar on all monitors, you can save a lot of mouse movements. Right-click on the taskbar, choose Properties.
Keyboard shortcuts for working with multiple monitors
- Win + Home: Minimize all except the active window.
- Win + Up-arrow: Maximize the active window.
- Win + Down-arrow: Minimize the window/Restore the window if it’s maximized.
- Win + Left arrow: Move the active window to the left side of the current monitor. If you continue with the same shortcut, you will move the window to the right side of the monitor at your left. Additional keystrokes will move the application further left. This will continue in the same pattern for all available monitors.
- Win + Right arrow: Move the active window to the right side of the current monitor. If you continue with the same shortcut, you will move the window to the left side of the monitor at your right. Additional keystrokes will move the application further right. This will continue in the same pattern for all available monitors.
Useful applications for multiple monitors
With bigger monitors, you sometimes want to arrange windows differently than just the left half or the right half of the screen. For years, I have been using WinSplit Revolution.
When writing this blog post, I found that this product is now discontinued. However, it can still be downloaded from the link above. There is a lot of alternatives, but I have not yet tested any of them. One name that shows up a lot of places is MaxTo. I will have to test these different alternatives and make a blog-post when I have concluded on the best alternative.
Using your phone or tablet as a second monitor
One way of working with multiple monitors when traveling is to use your phone, tablet or iPad as the second monitor. I use an app called iDisplay that connects my laptop to my Samsung tablet using WIFI. iDisplay works on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
So far I have used a cover with a built-in stand to get the tablet to stay upright, but during the research for this blog post, I found a company that is selling a clip for attaching your tablet and phone to your laptop. I have not yet tried Mountie myself, but I think this will make my setup more user-friendly and will order one shortly.
Working with multiple monitors can improve both your productivity and your health. In this blog post, you will learn how to configure multiple monitors as well as useful shortcuts and applications that help you to take full advantage of every inch.
(This is a continuation of last weeks blog post How multiple monitors boost productivity.)
Setting up multiple monitors
This video tells you all you need to know to get ready to start working with multiple monitors.
Not enough video connectors on your computer?
What do you do if you do not have enough video connectors? No problem!
There are loads of USB adaptors that enables you to add an extra monitor using a USB port. A search on Amazon shoves that by spending 30 to 50 dollars, you get an adapter with good reviews.
This USB 2.0 to VGA / DVI / HDMI Video Graphics Adapter for Multiple Monitors up to 1920×1080 costs $35 on Amazon.com.
Configuring your mouse pointer and taskbar
Show the location of the mouse pointer
With multiple monitors, finding your mouse pointer can be a challenge. A smart trick is to tick off the checkbox at the bottom of the below picture. Then the location of the mouse pointer will be shown when you hit the Ctrl key. You find the Mouse Properties under Mouse in the Control Panel.
Extend the taskbar (Windows 8 and Windows 10)
By showing the Windows taskbar on all monitors, you can save a lot of mouse movements. Right-click on the taskbar, choose Properties.
Dual Monitor Hacks
Keyboard shortcuts for working with multiple monitors
Dual Monitor Hack Chrome Remote Desktop
- Win + Home: Minimize all except the active window.
- Win + Up-arrow: Maximize the active window.
- Win + Down-arrow: Minimize the window/Restore the window if it’s maximized.
- Win + Left arrow: Move the active window to the left side of the current monitor. If you continue with the same shortcut, you will move the window to the right side of the monitor at your left. Additional keystrokes will move the application further left. This will continue in the same pattern for all available monitors.
- Win + Right arrow: Move the active window to the right side of the current monitor. If you continue with the same shortcut, you will move the window to the left side of the monitor at your right. Additional keystrokes will move the application further right. This will continue in the same pattern for all available monitors.
Useful applications for multiple monitors
With bigger monitors, you sometimes want to arrange windows differently than just the left half or the right half of the screen. For years, I have been using WinSplit Revolution.
When writing this blog post, I found that this product is now discontinued. However, it can still be downloaded from the link above. There is a lot of alternatives, but I have not yet tested any of them. One name that shows up a lot of places is MaxTo. I will have to test these different alternatives and make a blog-post when I have concluded on the best alternative.
Dual Monitor Hacks Minecraft
Using your phone or tablet as a second monitor
One way of working with multiple monitors when traveling is to use your phone, tablet or iPad as the second monitor. I use an app called iDisplay that connects my laptop to my Samsung tablet using WIFI. iDisplay works on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
So far I have used a cover with a built-in stand to get the tablet to stay upright, but during the research for this blog post, I found a company that is selling a clip for attaching your tablet and phone to your laptop. I have not yet tried Mountie myself, but I think this will make my setup more user-friendly and will order one shortly.