How To Freeze Projector Screens With Fixed Images (macOS, Windows)?

When it comes to technology, it seems that some things are too complicated. Even the simplest things seem overwhelming. Like, how to freeze my projector screen with a fixed image? This question sounds intimidating.

Today, we are going to solve the above question. Then, we’ll delve into how to do it with Macs and Windows.

Afterward, you’ll see how easy it is. It will feel like second nature. To keep things straightforward, sometimes freezing a frame is as simple as hitting the freeze button. So let’s break it down some more.

Why Do You Need to Freeze Your Projector Screen?

Upon learning that you can freeze your projector’s screen, most people ask themselves, why do it in the first place?

Freezing your projector is a handy option. For example, let’s say someone is watching a movie or a slideshow projected as intended. But now, you realize you have to search for another file or other images.

Searching for files while someone is watching a projection will pause the slideshow or movie and break that awesome sense of immersion. Also, no one wants to see you rifle through your computer’s clutter until you find what you’re looking for.

So, you can freeze the projected image and do what you need to do in this case.

In a sense, freezing a projector screen is kind of like pausing a movie, but in a much more convenient way. It will also keep things more convenient for you if you happen to have files you don’t want anyone else to see.

The Easiest way to Freeze your Projector Screen?

The easiest way to freeze your projector’s screen is to use the remote control that came with your projector. 

Most projectors have a freeze button that makes it easy to freeze any frame on the projected screen.

This will enable you to do what you need to do if you’re actively presenting something to a group of people.

But what if you don’t have the remote control for this projector? How would you freeze the projector screen in this case?

Keep reading below to see how to freeze your screen with Macs and Windows.

How to Freeze Your Projector for Mac?

When freezing your projector screen the first thing I should mention  is that it works slightly different on a Mac and Windows. In fact, it’s not quite freezing but more like extending your screen so others cannot see what you’re doing.

It’s also a tad handier because, in this sense, you can continue to play the movie or slideshow while you do what you need.

So, how do you do it on a Mac? You have to go to Extended Display mode instead of Mirror Screen mode.

The Extended Display mode extends your screen. Basically, you’re watching a movie on “half” of your screen that’s projected on your wall, and your monitor is using the other half. 

Getting to that Extended Display Mode

Click on the Apple icon on the top left corner of your Mac. Head to System Preferences, then display, and then head to the Arrangement tab.

Next, click on the Extended Mode for Secondary Displays box. If the Mirror Display box is checked, make sure to uncheck it. You don’t want a Mirror Display in this case.

Not too difficult, right?

What about shortcut keys also for Mac?

In earlier Mac computers shifting from Display Mirror to Extended Display was as easy as pushing the F-keys. Usually anywhere from F7 or below.

Newer Macbooks require you to press the Command key as well as F1.

Or you could assign a designated shortcut using the Fn key, which will allow you to switch as you wish.

How to Freeze Your Projector for Windows

You need to extend your screen in Macs to “freeze” your frame because freezing your projector’s frame is an exclusive feature for Windows. Nevertheless, it’s a handy workaround. So let’s see how we can do it with Windows.

The great thing is that the extended screen option is also available in Windows. However, there’s a native freeze frame option that functions like a pause button as well.

Both are handy in their ways.

Extended Mode

Let’s start with the Extended mode for Windows. This is extending your PC screen so you can multitask.

In other words, you can continue to watch your movie on your projector while you do something else on your computer without your viewers watching your every move.

First, you have to hold down the Windows Button and letter P to bring up the projector menu and its options.

Click the Extend option from your options. Now, drag your movie (or whatever you are projecting) to the projector’s screen.

Shortcuts for Windows

To easily switch between the extended display on Windows, click the Window Key plus the letter P.

Other Ways to Freeze your screen for Windows

There are several different ways you might need to know if you’re trying to freeze your screen on Windows.

For example, using Advanced Mode will work as well.

First, left-click onto the desktop. Next, head to Advanced mode and click on preferred display. Now navigate to Expand Display mode.

Here are a few other options as well.

You can try PC Screen Only mode to turn off your projector screen from your PC temporarily. 

In other words, it turns your projected movie black while you navigate on your computer to look for specific files.

It also gives you some flexibility because turning the projector itself on and off is not good for it.

And There You Have It

To sum things up, the best way to freeze an image on your projector with Mac or Windows is to use the control. But, when circumstances don’t allow you to, there is always the manual way.

Even though freezing your projector with a fixed image is handy, using extended mode will greatly improve your multitasking abilities and hide what you’re doing from others who are watching that big screen on the wall.