How To Setup an Extended Display in Windows

Docks, Hubs, Display Adapters
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This article outlines the full array of Windows configuration options associated to the USB Display Adapter.

Windows assigns Display Numbers to each connected Display Device, so that users can identify and differentiate each monitor. This is useful to understand the order and arrangement of each connected monitor, especially when multiple Display Devices are connected to the Host Computer.

The numbers assigned to the monitors indicate their position in the monitor arrangement. The primary monitor is typically assigned the number “1,” and additional monitors are assigned subsequent numbers like “2,” “3,” and so on. These numbers help Windows identify which monitor users are referring to when making changes or adjustments in display settings.

  1. Right-Click anywhere on the Windows Desktop and select Display Settings.
  2. This will open the Windows Settings app to the Display tab. Below Select a display to change the settings for it, you will see a diagram representing the current monitor arrangement and the Display Number assigned to each monitor.
  3. To identify a specific monitor, click on the Identify button located just below the monitor arrangement diagram.
  4. Windows will display a large number on each monitor briefly. Watch for the numbers to appear on the screens. Each number that appears will correspond to a specific monitor.
The number that is associated to each connected Display Device are now identified within Windows.

Extending the Windows Desktop provides users with the ability to expand their workspace across multiple monitors. The mouse cursor can edge-scroll between each monitor and use them as an extension of the primary monitor.

With extended desktops, users have more screen real estate to work with and can have different applications, documents, or windows open on each monitor. This makes it easier to multi-task, compare information, or work on multiple projects simultaneously.

  1. Right-Click anywhere on the Windows Desktop and select Display Settings.
  2. This will open the Windows Settings app to the Display tab. Below Select a display to change the settings for it, you will see a diagram representing the current monitor arrangement and the Display Number assigned to each monitor.
  3. Click the Display Number that corresponds to the monitor that will be configured for Extended Windows Desktop. The selected monitor will become highlighted.
    1. Note: It’s possible that two numbers may appear within the same monitor block. This indicates that the monitors are currently configured for a mirror configuration. If the desired Display Number appears within the same monitor block as another number, simply select that monitor block which contains the desired Display Number.
  4. Select the drop-down menu within the section below Select a display to change the settings for it and select Extend these displays.
    1. Note: On Windows 10 and earlier versions, it will be necessary to scroll to a lower location within the Display tab of the Windows Settings app, to a section called Multiple Displays to access the drop-down menu. However, the remaining steps are the same.
  5. The settings will apply and a notification will appear on the screen, with a timer requesting that the new settings be confirmed. To confirm the settings click Keep changes before the timer expires.
The Display Device has now been configured as an extended Windows Desktop.

When Display Devices are configured for an Extended Windows Desktop, the mouse cursor can edge-scroll between each monitor, by moving the mouse off one screen and onto another.

In order for the cursor edge-scrolling function to be intuitive it’s important that the Display Device arrangement in windows matches the physical arrangement of each monitor on the workstation.

  1. Right-Click anywhere on the Windows Desktop and select Display Settings.
  2. This will open the Windows Settings app to the Display tab. Below Select a display to change the settings for it, you will see a diagram representing the current monitor arrangement and the Display Number assigned to each monitor.
  3. Observe the physical location of the monitors as they’re setup on the workstation.
    1. Note: You can click the Identify button to see which number corresponds to each physical display. See earlier Identifying Display Devices Within Windows Display Settings for more information.
  4. Click and drag the Numbered Displays (within the Display tab of Windows Settings) so that the diagram matches the physical location of the monitors as they’re setup on the workstation.
  5. Once the arrangement has changed, Apply and Cancel buttons will appear. Click the Apply button to implement the changes.
  6. The settings will apply and a notification will appear on the screen, with a timer requesting that the new settings be confirmed. To confirm the settings click Keep changes before the timer expires.
The Display Devices have now been arranged in Windows.
  1. Right-Click anywhere on the Windows Desktop and select Display Settings.
  2. This will open the Windows Settings app to the Display tab. Below Select a display to change the settings for it, you will see a diagram representing the current monitor arrangement and the Display Number assigned to each monitor.
  3. Click the Display Number that corresponds to the monitor that will be configured. The selected monitor will become highlighted.
    1. Note: You can click the Identify button to see which number corresponds to each physical display. See earlier Identifying Display Devices Within Windows Display Settings for more information.
  4. Scroll down the screen to the Scale & Layout section and click the drop down menu titled Display Resolution, and select the desired resolution.
    1. Note: Only resolutions supported by the Display Device, or USB Display Adapter will be available.
  5. The settings will apply and a notification will appear on the screen, with a timer requesting that the new settings be confirmed. To confirm the settings click Keep changes before the timer expires.
The Display Device has now been configured to the desired resolution.

Many of the USB Display Adapters outlined in this manual feature an audio controller to output audio via the HDMI or DisplayPort output. The following USB Display Adapters feature an audio controller: USB32HD2, USB32HDES, USB32HDEH, USB32HD4, USBC2HD4, USB32DPES2.

Once a USB Display Adapter that supports audio has been installed on a Hot Computer, Windows will recognize it’s audio controller as a playback device, which will give the Host Computer the ability to output audio via the HDMI or DisplayPort output on the USB Display Adapter. The audio controller on the USB Display Adapter is separate and distinct from other audio controllers installed on the computer (such as the Host Computer’s onboard audio controller), and Windows
can only designate one controller at a time as it’s active playback device.

  1. Right-click on the Volume icon in the quick settings panel and select Open Volume Mixer.
  2. This will open the Windows Settings app to the Sound and Volume mixer tabs. Click the drop menu titled Output Device, and select the desired audio output device.
The selected Audio Controller is now set as the active playback device.

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Tagged SKUs: USB32HD2, USB32HDES, USB32HDEH, USB32HD4, USBC2HD4, USB32DPES2, USB32VGAES