How to Display a Separate Screen on Your Computer and Projector?

Want to check your email while projecting a movie? Or take notes without interrupting your PowerPoint presentation? Extending your screen will allow you to do just that. But, how exactly do you go about it?

When projecting from your computer, your projector typically mirrors your desktop. However, it is possible to display a separate screen on your computer and projector.

So, if you’ve been wondering just how you can multitask while projecting, here is a simple guide to help you out.

Displaying a Separate Screen on Your Computer and Projector (Windows 10)

1. Connect your projector to your computer

Start by connecting your projector to your computer. You can use a VGA cable or a USB cable depending on your projector.

Once your projector is connected to the computer, power it on.

2. Adjust your computer display settings

To display a separate screen on your computer and projector you will need to change the display settings on your computer.

On your computer desktop, go to the taskbar and click on Action Center. Select Project, to see the options available.

Alternatively, you can also use a shortcut to access the Project menu. Simply press the Windows Key and P key simultaneously.

The Project menu will show four display options.

PC screen only: This option allows you to display only on your PC, the projector will remain blank if you select this option.

Duplicate: This option enables you to mirror the same screen on both your computer and the projector. If you select this option your computer and projector will display the same image.

Extend: This option allows you to display a separate screen on your computer and projector. This is the option you will select to display different screens on your computer and projector.

Second screen only: This option allows you to display on your projector only while your computer remains blank.

Since you want to display separate screens on your computer and projector, click on the Extend option and then click on Apply.

3. Choose your main screen

To select which screen to display on your projector and monitor. Click on the Display settings.

You can click on display 1 or 2, then click on the Make this my main display option. Then click on Apply.

If you are not sure which of the 2 screen options indicated is your computer or projector display, simply click on the Identify button. The corresponding number will display on the computer and projector respectively.

4. Adjust your screen resolution if necessary

Now that you have figured out your displays, you can adjust the resolution to suit your needs. Simply click on the Advanced Display Settings.

Click on the display you want to adjust (1 or 2) and then select the preferred resolution from the Resolution drop-down list.

Once you have set the desired resolution, click on Apply to save your changes.

You can now exit the settings menu and display your image or presentation on the projector while displaying a different screen on your computer.

Displaying a Separate Screen on Your Computer and Projector (MacOs)

1. Connect your projector to your computer

Start by connecting your projector to your Mac. Once the projector is connected to your computer you can power it on.

Check whether your projector is properly connected to your computer. On your Mac, choose the Apple menu then click on System Preferences. Choose the Displays option then click Display.

Click the Detect Displays button. Your projector should be detected by your computer. If it’s not visible, check the connection to ensure that your projector is properly plugged into your Mac.

2. Adjust your display settings

To extend your display you will need to adjust the display settings on your Mac. This will allow you to display a separate screen on your computer and projector.

From the Apple menu, click on System Preferences the select the Displays option.

Click on the Arrangement tab.

You can now arrange your display as needed by dragging it to the preferred position. Your desktop icons will appear on your primary display.

Ensure that the Mirror Displays checkbox is not selected. If this option is on, both your Mac and projector will display the same screen.

Troubleshooting

Windows 10

• Check that your projector is properly connected to your computer by using the Detect button in the Display options menu.
• You can choose the orientation of your screen by selecting either Portrait or Landscape under the Orientation option in Display settings.
• By default, your primary display will appear on the left and your secondary display on right. To change this, you can drag your displays on your computer screen to suit your preferred arrangement.
• If you are not sure which display is your projector and which is your computer, you can click on Display settings then click on Identify. The corresponding display number will then appear on your projector.
• Once you are done projecting, you can revert your display settings to normal. Go to the Project menu (shortcut: press Windows key and P key) and select Duplicate.

Mac

• Make sure your projector is properly connected to your Mac. Click on the Apple menu and then select System Preferences. Click on Displays then select Display. You can then click on the Detect Displays button.
• If your projector is properly connected but is not getting detected, try putting your Mac to sleep and then waking it.
• To display a separate screen on your computer projector the Mirror Display option must always be deselected. Check that it is off by checking under the Arrangement option in the Display menu.

Conclusion

Displaying a separate screen on your computer and projector means that you can multitask while projecting. For both Mac and Windows systems, the option to display a separate screen on your projector is easy to set up.

Our simple step by step guide will have you set up in no time. Just plug in your projector and follow the quick and easy steps for a hassle-free setup.