How to Use a Closed Laptop with an External Monitor in Windows

Laptops are a necessity for students, and working professionals in the digital world that we live in today. While laptops offer the convenience of portability, sometimes you may want to use a larger external monitor for a better viewing experience or increased productivity. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of closing your laptop and using an external monitor on a Windows operating system.

Step 1: Connect the External Monitor

To begin, you’ll need to connect your external monitor to your laptop. Most modern laptops come equipped with either an HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA port. Identify the appropriate port on your laptop and connect one end of the compatible cable to it. Connect the other end of the cable to the corresponding port on your external monitor.

Step 2: Power on the External Monitor

Once the connection is established, turn on your external monitor. Make sure your monitor is set to the correct input source, which can be changed by pressing the ‘Input’ or ‘Source’ button on the control panel.

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Step 3: Configure Display Settings

Now that your external monitor is connected and powered on, it’s time to configure your display settings. Right-click an empty area on your laptop’s desktop and select ‘Display settings’ from the context menu. Alternatively, you can open the Start menu, search for “Display settings,” and click on the corresponding result.

Step 4: Identify the Displays

In the Display settings window, you’ll see a visual representation of your connected monitors. Each display will be numbered, with your laptop screen typically being labeled as “1” and the external monitor as “2” or higher, depending on the number of connected monitors.

Step 5: Choose the Display Mode

Under the “Multiple displays” section, click on the dropdown menu to select your desired display mode. There are several options available:

• Duplicate these displays: This mode mirrors your laptop screen on the external monitor.
• Extend these displays: This mode extends your desktop across both your laptop screen and the external monitor, providing additional screen real estate.
• Show only on 1: This mode displays content only on your laptop screen.
• Show only on 2: This mode displays content exclusively on the external monitor.

For the purpose of using your external monitor while your laptop is closed, select “Show only on 2.”

Step 6: Adjust Display Settings (Optional)

If needed, you can further customize your display settings. Select the external monitor’s icon in the Display settings window. Here, you can adjust the screen resolution, orientation, and scale to your preference. Make sure to choose a resolution that is compatible with your external monitor for optimal performance.

Step 7: Close Your Laptop

Once you have configured your display settings, you can safely close your laptop’s lid. Windows will automatically detect that you have closed the laptop and will continue to output video to your external monitor. Your laptop will enter sleep mode, but the external monitor will remain active.

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Step 8: Wake Your Laptop

(When Needed) If you need to access your laptop while it’s closed, simply move the mouse or press any key on the external keyboard (if connected). Your laptop will wake up from sleep mode, and you can continue working on the external monitor.

Step 9: Disconnect the External Monitor

When you’re finished using the external monitor, you can safely disconnect it. Save your work and close all applications first. Then, right-click on an empty area of your desktop and select “Display settings.” In the Display settings window, click on the dropdown menu under “Multiple displays” and choose “Show only on 1.” Doing so will revert the display back to your laptop’s screen.

Finally, you can physically disconnect the external monitor by unplugging the cable from your laptop and the monitor itself.

Conclusion:

Learning how to close laptop and use monitor on Windows is a simple process that can greatly enhance your productivity and viewing experience. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily connect an external monitor, configure your display settings, and work seamlessly with your laptop closed. Whether you’re a student looking to maximize screen real estate for multitasking or a professional seeking a more comfortable viewing setup, knowing how to close laptop with external monitor is a valuable skill to have in your toolkit.