How to Use a Laptop as a Second Monitor: Windows 11 Tutorial

A spare laptop can give you extra screen space without adding another full-size display to your desk. Windows 11 makes it possible to use a laptop as second monitor wirelessly, provided the computers support the required wireless display features.

This can be handy for keeping email, Teams, documents, research, or monitoring tools open while you work on your main PC. However, there are some important limitations, particularly with HDMI and USB connections. Here is how the setup works and what to do if Windows cannot find your second laptop.

Can You Use a Laptop as a Monitor?

Yes, you can use a laptop as a monitor for another Windows computer, but the connection method matters.

For most Windows 11 systems, the simplest built-in option is Miracast , Microsoft's supported wireless projection technology. It lets your main computer send its desktop to another compatible Windows device.

You can then choose between duplicating your main display and extending the Windows desktop across both screens. This makes an unused laptop particularly useful for secondary applications. An older model could hold your inbox or browser while the main display remains dedicated to your primary workload.

If your ageing machine is no longer suitable, our refurbished laptop models can also provide an affordable way to add another capable Windows device to your setup.

How to Use Laptop as Second Monitor Windows 11

You need to configure the laptop receiving the picture before connecting from your primary computer.

Step 1: Install Wireless Display on the Second Laptop

On the laptop you want to use as the additional screen:

1. Open Settings .
2. Select System .
3. Choose Projecting to this PC .
4. Select Optional features when prompted to add Wireless Display.
5. Choose View features beside Add an optional feature.
6. Search for Wireless Display .
7. Tick it and select Next > Install .

Once installation finishes, return to Settings > System > Projecting to this PC and choose the projection permissions you prefer. Microsoft's Wireless Display app is used on Windows 11 version 22H2 and later, so keeping Windows updated is particularly important for this setup.

If your main machine is due for replacement, you can browse our Windows 11 laptop range for systems built around Microsoft's newer operating system.

Step 2: Open Wireless Display

Search for Wireless Display from the Windows taskbar on the laptop acting as your second screen. Open the application and leave it running so that the computer is available for projection. Just make sure Wi-Fi is also enabled.

Step 3: Connect from Your Main PC

On the computer you are working from:

1. Press Windows key + K .
2. Wait for Windows to search for available wireless portable displays.
3. Select your second laptop.
4. Accept the connection on the receiving laptop if Windows requests permission.

The two computers should now establish a wireless display connection.

Step 4: Set the Laptop to Extend Your Desktop

Press Windows key + P on your main computer. Windows gives you four display modes:

• PC screen only: Uses only your main display.
• Duplicate: Shows the same picture on both screens.
• Extend: Creates additional desktop space across the two screens.
• Second screen only: Displays content only on the connected screen.

Choose Extend if you want to use a second laptop as a monitor rather than simply mirror your existing screen.

You can then go to Settings > System > Display to rearrange the screen positions so that moving your mouse between them feels natural.

How to Use Laptop as Second Monitor Wirelessly

Miracast creates a wireless display connection between compatible devices, making it the most convenient Windows-native approach.

Unlike plugging in a traditional monitor, though, the image has to be encoded, transmitted and processed by the receiving computer. You may therefore notice more latency than with a directly connected display.

For documents, web browsing, chat applications, reference material and office multitasking, that delay is often manageable.

For competitive gaming, colour-critical editing or other latency-sensitive work, one of our dedicated computer monitor options will generally provide a more suitable permanent setup.

Can You Use Laptop as Monitor with HDMI?

This is where many setups go wrong. Although most modern laptops have an HDMI socket, it is normally designed as an HDMI output . It sends video from the laptop to a monitor, television or projector.

To use laptop as monitor with HDMI, the laptop itself would need an HDMI input, which is uncommon.

Connecting the HDMI outputs of two ordinary laptops together will therefore not turn one into a second display.

Check your manufacturer's specifications if you are unsure. A rare laptop with genuine HDMI input support may accept an external video signal, but you should not assume that an HDMI connector works in both directions.

If you regularly need extra screen space away from your main desk, portable displays offer a more straightforward wired option without relying on wireless projection. If you are connecting a conventional monitor instead, our HDMI vs DisplayPort vs USB-C vs VGA guide explains which connection makes sense for different display setups.

How to Use Laptop as Second Monitor with USB

A normal USB cable between two laptops does not automatically create another Windows display. So, how to use laptop as second monitor with USB depends on the hardware or software involved.

Third-party display applications may be able to send screen data between computers through a network or supported USB connection. Another option is a USB video capture device, which accepts a video feed from another computer.

A capture card should not be confused with a native extended monitor connection, however. It normally displays the incoming video inside software and may add processing delay.

If your aim is simply to gain productive desktop space, Windows Wireless Display is usually the cleaner option when both computers support it. Furthermore, If you decide a dedicated display would suit your desk better, our guide to how to set up dual monitors covers connections, Windows settings and screen arrangement step by step.

How to Use Laptop as Second Monitor Without Miracast

If either computer does not support Miracast, Windows' built-in PC-to-PC wireless projection may not work. You still have a few alternatives when considering how to use laptop as second monitor without Miracast:

• Use reputable third-party network display software.
• Use a compatible USB-based display solution.
• Use a capture device if you only need to view another computer's video output.
• Move to a dedicated external monitor for a simpler low-latency setup.

Third-party software can be particularly useful on mixed hardware, but check its security, compatibility, resolution and licensing requirements before installing it on work systems.

Businesses setting up multiple desks may find our business laptops range useful when choosing systems with suitable connectivity, Wi-Fi hardware and display capabilities.

How to Use Laptop as Second Monitor for PC

The same Windows 11 method works when the source computer is a desktop. To use laptop as second monitor for PC, install Wireless Display on the laptop, launch the app and press Windows + K on the desktop PC.

Select the laptop and choose Extend through Windows + P .

Remember that the desktop PC also needs compatible wireless hardware and Miracast support. A desktop connected to the internet purely through Ethernet may still require suitable Wi-Fi hardware for Windows wireless projection. Need more screen space than one spare laptop provides? See how to connect two monitors to a laptop using HDMI, USB-C, DisplayPort and docking solutions.

How to Use Old Laptop as Second Monitor

Before recycling an ageing machine, consider whether you can use old laptop as second monitor instead.

It does not need flagship performance just to display documents, communication apps or reference material. The more important factors are Windows compatibility, working Wi-Fi hardware, functional graphics drivers and Miracast support.

Older machines that cannot run a supported Windows version or Wireless Display reliably may be better suited to third-party display software.

Also consider power consumption, battery condition and screen quality. Keeping a very old laptop permanently running is not always more practical than using an efficient dedicated monitor.

What If Windows 11 Cannot Find the Second Laptop?

If the target laptop does not appear after pressing Windows + K , work through these checks:

1. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on, on both computers.
2. Confirm Wireless Display is installed on the receiving laptop.
3. Open the Wireless Display app before searching again.
4. Check Settings > System > Projecting to this PC and make sure discovery is allowed.
5. Install Windows updates.
6. Update your graphics and wireless network drivers.
7. Restart both computers.
8. Remove any previously saved wireless display connection and reconnect it.

You can also press Windows + K to check Miracast support. Windows may tell you that the system requires an external display connection if the necessary wireless-display hardware is unavailable.

Is Using a Laptop as a Second Monitor Worth It?

Using a spare laptop as another display makes sense when you need occasional extra workspace and already have compatible hardware.

Windows 11's Wireless Display feature makes the process relatively simple: configure the receiving laptop, connect through Windows + K , then choose Extend through Windows + P .

Just remember that wireless projection is not identical to connecting a conventional monitor. There can be added latency, while ordinary laptop HDMI ports cannot usually receive video from another PC.

For email, web pages, dashboards, and office applications, however, your spare laptop can become a useful second screen rather than sitting unused.

Does using a laptop as a second monitor affect performance?

It can slightly increase system load because the main PC has to encode and transmit the display while the second laptop receives and renders it. For everyday tasks, the impact is usually minor, but older hardware may feel less responsive.

Can I use a laptop as a second monitor if both devices are on different Wi-Fi networks?

Usually no. Wireless projection works best when both devices can communicate locally and have compatible wireless hardware. Keeping them on the same network environment also helps with discovery and connection reliability.

Can I control the main PC from the second laptop while using it as a monitor?

In some Windows wireless projection setups, input can be allowed from the receiving device, letting its keyboard or mouse interact with the projected PC.

What resolution can I get when using a laptop as a second monitor?

The usable resolution depends on both devices, their graphics hardware, wireless connection quality and Miracast support. Windows may automatically reduce resolution or image quality if the connection cannot maintain a stable higher-resolution stream.

Is a laptop second screen suitable for gaming?

It is better suited to secondary tasks than fast-paced gaming because wireless display connections can introduce noticeable latency. For competitive games or high-refresh-rate play, a directly connected gaming monitor is usually the more responsive option.