Find out how you can use an external monitor with your laptop closed. Free up your desk space by learning how to shut your laptop while using a monitor.
Learn how to close your laptop and use an external monitor with Windows 11. Follow our step-by-step guide to maintain productivity and save space.
Use an external monitor with your laptop closed Are you using your laptop with an external monitor and keyboard? If you want to continue using your laptop with the screen closed, you'll need to adjust your power settings. This way, you can...
Basically, this setup tricks Windows into ignoring the lid closing — keeping your machine on and your external monitor doing the heavy lifting. Perfect for long coding marathons, movie nights, or just avoiding that annoying lid wobble.
Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Choose What Closing the Lid Does, and select Do Nothing for both Battery and Plugged-in Mode. Once you close your laptop and only...
Under "Related settings," click Screen and sleep. Use the dropdown menus to adjust how long your screen stays on before turning off and how long your computer waits before going to sleep. You can set separate times for when the computer is plugged in versus running on battery. 2. Modifying Sleep Settings Through the Control Panel (Alternative ...
On Windows 10 and Windows 11, connecting a second display allows you to expand your desktop and work with multiple apps, as well as play games, on your laptop or desktop computer.
You can then choose how you want your desktop screen to appear and customize the display settings such as display style, screen resolution, color depth, and more in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Are you trying one of the following multiple monitor setups? Find information to learn how to set up multiple monitors with your laptop or desktop computer.
Check Monitor Settings: Make sure your monitor is set to the correct input (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.) to display your laptop screen. Use a Docking Station: If you frequently switch between laptop and monitor, consider using a docking station for easier connectivity.
Learn how to close your laptop and use an external monitor efficiently with Windows 11 settings for a seamless desktop experience.