Use your Surface as a second screen

Do you own a Surface device as well as a desktop PC? Perhaps you find yourself working some of the time at your desk and the other on your Surface. What if you could use both devices, side by side? The built in tool Miracast allows you to enhance your desktop experience by using your Surface as a second display.
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[@DigitalHabit]

I can't believe how hard it's been to find this answer online. I've been looking for 2 days and all the answers just say click connect and it'll show up, you answered my ongoing issue in the first 2 mins, thank you much!

[@tammywu1424]

Lifesaver, thank you! My boyfriend bought me a new surface pro, and I wanted to use my old surface as a monitor. This video explained the steps perfectly. Thank you!

[@iu1191]

Duuuuuude, your videos are required viewing for surface users. One of my friends got a surface and I sent him to your channel immediately. He now has one and his wife does as well. The devices are so versatile and useful. Your tips and short videos make that versatility easy to access and apply. I think this tip is the best one so far. I was wondering if I needed to get a 12-15-inch additional screen to take on trips with me and now I might not have to do that. Love that features and how you have described using it. Thanks for the work. 🔥🔥🔥

[@oztabletpc]

Thanks, great to hear!

[@EasternCanadian]

Still running a surface pro 2. DisplayPort to TV, SD for storage, aux home theater, USB hub for USB internet, razer mouse and keyboard andUSB head phones. All in one

[@joseluissiqueira1667]

❤

[@sameermalik9]

This video is so underrated. Thank you for your hard work

[@1samc]

Absolutely brilliant! Thanks! I'm still waiting for MS to allow this through wired connection to enable touch functionality for workstation PCs (i just saw your other vid where it's not available yet)...why they haven't done this and marketed the heck out of it is beyond me, it would take sales from wacom and apple

[@09crafty09]

I'm upgrading my old surface 3. It still works great even though it has some wear and tear. I can't wait to have the capability to use two screens!

[@webweaver3015]

This is probably the best tip I've come across for the surface

[@GabbsPitargue9]

I just bought a pen display tablet for my main PC, then I saw this video. I have a Surface Pro 3 and it works well. I am so mad at myself for spending extra. Thank you so much and you are awesome!

[@keenej14]

Worked like a charm. I had to set always available for the device to show, but no biggie. :) Set to extend screen and this is perfect for on the go two screens. :)

[@gyozakeynsianism]

This is great, thank you. Note that some Android devices (I think specifically ones made by Samsung) support Miracast and can also cast their screens to Miracast-supporting devices with screens, like some TV's, the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, and yes, many Windows PC's.

[@oztabletpc]

Yes, just like we did in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKHKimOMfJKnr6M - Since Miracast is an open standard (under the WiFi Alliance) anyone can use this. Many Android manufacturers implement it (albeit often with different names). It's a shame that Google (ChromeCast) and Apple (AirPlay) don't get behind it too. It would be great if everyone ditched their proprietary tech and made conference rooms "just work".

[@timothyling7063]

I can’t discover any device from either one of my laptops, any help?

[@larrywill464]

Hello from Spain, Thank you again mate! very useful tips, this is one the reason a love your channel!

[@MZONE3D]

Im wanting extend my windows laptop to surface pro 7, neither are discoverable after using this video as a guide, any ideas?

[@Masterpj555]

I wish there was a wired non wireless solution for less latency and environments where wireless just is too crowded....like doing this over an usb-C link. It would make surface pro both a portable and main station drawing tablet... currently only android does this which is another tablet i dont want to bring

[@tochanenko]

Thank you for this amazing tip! I've been using my Surface Pro as a secondary device, however I didn't connect it as a Display, so I had to have its keyboard attached to it at all times. However, with this tip I can finally use my tablet as a secondary display and only use one keyboard and mouse! It's a huge productivity boost for me!

[@findatasy]

thank you! still works like a charm in 2022

[@cheezeman8139]

I’m trying to connect my Acer to my surface pro but it’s not appearing as a connectable device

[@bravo-popov]

I imagine that both devices have to be on the same updated software? Lightroom classic works great on my Pro 6, but not so well on my Pro 9.

[@garyclifford2965]

This was the video I required, well done.

[@Romie15]

YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!! I will be forever grateful for this video!!!!

[@t3true-games]

Thanks you helped me! Cool trick.. I like having all my devices do work!

[@Namibal204]

I am connecting my pc to my surface. and the surface screen looks whacky. like colour all screwed up. what could be wrong. can i connect via wire? can you help me.

[@DarkFoxV]

Could I use a second screen for drawing?

[@teashirt]

I almost got rid of surface pro 4. and so I can get a portable display 😲Thank you

[@brandonwong7689]

Will the touchscreen still work when u use it as a 2nd display?

[@oztabletpc]

It can. Shown in the video at around 2:30.

[@lamcmblue]

Login to give this video a thumbs up, exactly what I need, thanks very much

[@thesam013ify]

This video was exactly what i needed 🙌🏽

[@AppleiPhone379]

Thank you for these videos! They are life-savers!

[@mahmood2018]

When i click on the device it just loads and nothing happens

[@MaravillaBrenda]

does anyone know if you can go from mac book to surface?

[@oztabletpc]

Sorry, I said yes. But the answer is no, you can't. Unless you're ruining wondrous on your mac...

[@Gitantei98776913]

If I use this, and connect my surface pro 7 to my personal computer, can I also use the surface pro 7 touchscreen as an input device? I would like to be able to use it as a secondary screen, or screenshare and use it as a drawing tablet, etc. Is it possible in any ways?

[@mircomalvoni3705]

in 2024 it's possible use surface as a second monitor and use the pen or not yet?

[@hazcotube]

thanks a lot, I needed this, I am gona try it soon.

[@Blue-Lady]

I can't do this some reason. The option isn't even there in System.

[@barbaradurden1342]

This was a great video! I did all the settings to try and use my Surface Pro 4 as a 2nd screen for my Asus laptop but the laptop is not showing the surface at all when I try to connect to things and i've tried to troubleshoot and everything is updated on both the surface and the laptop but still nothing. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[@ДубровскаяАнастасия-с3ц]

I've managed to project FROM surfacebook TO my pc, but not vice-versa. How can I solve this problem? My surface book just not appears on a list of available devices to connect

[@danemmerich6775]

Another great Informational Video. Can I also use an HDMI cord as well to extend to the use the Surface Pro as an extra monitor?

[@josephalimentato156]

Hello, is there a feature where I could use the GB from both devices rather than using all the memory from just the one display device?

[@Masterpj555]

I wish there was a cabled solution too...wireless has latency

[@pbrglez]

Is there a way to do this via cable for less lag? Or can the lag be improved with a faster router? I'm currently pulling 30-40mbps wirelessly with my current router and my main PC is connected via ethernet cable.

[@oztabletpc]

Unfortunately, this is not possible. See video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpa7XqR7mtuDgqs

[@crazynoodles1837]

Clear instructions! It works! Thank you!

[@amirhosseinsharifzadeh6278]

Thanks for the tip! How stable is that the connection? For how long you can be connected? Is it like a monitor like espresso! It would be great. Unfortunately, I cannot test it now but I hope I can use my surface book as 4K monitor!

[@TheDoomsday28]

When I go to project to this PC it says download the feature "Wireless Display" but when I look for optional features it doesn't have wireless display feature any tips?

[@konradkonig8591]

Thanks for the video! I got a question: 2:20 Does the Touchback-feature allows you to use your Surface Go keyboard to control your Surface Pro, too?

[@generalshakewell]

Thanks for this!

[@MobileGamerDude]

Ok, so that option for me is grayed out, now what?

[@SecretsofaGoodGirl11]

Thank you for this!! When I connect my Lenovo to my surface and use my surface as my second monitor, the surface lags a lot. And becomes pickled when there is movement. Is there way to fix this?

[@oztabletpc]

There are a number of tips in here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2izo2uEaLCJipI

[@Jongraphs8600]

This was perfect! Thanks so much

[@kimiagiraud4884]

Hi, I have a surface laptop 3 and a surface pen and I am looking to buy a tablet so I can write digital notes for school. Do you think what you showed could work with a non surface tablet? Or with an old surface tablet model ?

[@byronsmith2768]

Can you please try and use the surface pro as a monitor with a cabled connection to avoid the lag.

[@oztabletpc]

Sorry, it can't be done with a cable. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpa7XqR7mtuDgqs But here is a video on how to improve Wireless performance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2izo2uEaLCJipI

[@mordechailewis7201]

Thank you for this video!

[@questionmarkquestionmarkques]

thanks so much dude

[@chimmyking]

Can I use my Surface pro 6 as a portable monitor for Acer Nitro 17?

[@blaxai6485]

Do the Devices have to be in the same WLAN?

[@SusannaJ]

brilliant!! thank you!

[@MrNadir]

lid settings on my Surface Pro 9 is not working, any solution for this issue please ?

[@korihikari21]

im trying to activate touchback for windows 11, with my surface go 2 as a third monitor, how would i do this?

[@27barry81]

Good job, may I ask you a question: How to use Macbook Pro as a second screen with Surface Pro7?

[@mikejmahon28]

My surface says i need to add the "wireless display" optional feature but it doesn't show up when i click optional features

[@mikejmahon28]

nvm i got it lol

[@MsSeaMaiden1]

I teach from my laptop and got a surface to connect to my laptop like this but I want to be able to use the pen on the surface to write on the surface screen but still using the Webcam on the laptop for my teaching program. It's easier to write on the surface than using a mouse on the laptop. But my laptop screen is bigger and I want to still use its Webcam. But when I use the surface as a second monitor and duplicate my laptop screen to it, I can't write or do anything on the surface. I'm wanting to use it more as a writing tablet to write on the duplicated laptop screen.

[@oztabletpc]

You can use an external webcam. Or join both devices to the call. I often use the later method as Teams sees the two devices as one user and it's easy to hop back and forth between devices.

[@Peace1dy]

Well I’ve given up. I’m just going to go with the excuse that my work has some sort of security block in place. Tried about 50 times different settings and troubleshooting. It just won’t connect. Very unfortunate. 😢

[@oztabletpc]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2izo2uEaLCJipI

[@dontmesswithme0808]

Thank you!

[@BLIXER6660]

Is their a way to do this but with a pc? I've been wanting another monitor but I dont got the money right now sooo...

[@summoncse]

Can I use surface go 3 as a second screen for my HP ZBook Fury laptop?

[@assistivetek]

Great tip👍🏻

[@jamesleicher]

i trying this but i got first gen surface and where show to go to projecting to this pc is all grey out cant set,use for second screen to undock maps for flight sim

[@chrisdaw4667]

Hiw do you connect the surface pro to a laptop as a second screan?

[@theearlba]

Thank you!!! :)

[@brahmatustabhirawa4131]

Amazing, thanks a lot dude..

[@zigarbeast7123]

Hello I have a surface pro 6, I was trying to connect my laptop as a wireless display to my surface pro, but it keeps saying that something went wrong. I tried everything. Your the only one I can trust. Plz help!

[@oztabletpc]

The answer is likely to be in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2izo2uEaLCJipI

[@Saintathantwinpeaks]

Help me Ozzy-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

[@andyv8889]

Can you do this if your main laptop is connected to a work VPN but the second device is not?

[@oztabletpc]

There shouldn't be an issue since the Miracast connection is a direct WiFi connection between the source and host. Traffic is not usually routed over your other network connections, the internet or VPN.

[@frosty9462]

everytime i do it, it says like protects thing cant be shown. any tips?

[@mrgeni13]

How about PC to surface? Can it work?

[@StreitGames]

Is it possible to use a surface laptop as external screen using a cable. The wifi option is quite laggy for me.

[@oztabletpc]

Sorry, no it can't. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpa7XqR7mtuDgqs But here is a video on how to improve Wireless performance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2izo2uEaLCJipI

[@joohangooi8424]

Hi may I ask do you have any tutorial to teach how to connect Surface with my main device via wire to reduce latency? Thanks.

[@oztabletpc]

This video explains: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpa7XqR7mtuDgqs This video shows you how to improve performance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2izo2uEaLCJipI

[@NYCgoblue]

Thanks for your clear videos. I have tried this and ran into a problem I have not been able to figure out how to solve. At the projection settings page, my SP 7 has a notification "This device doesn’t support receiving Miracast". I have checked the drivers, the card, all should work. Can you provide any guidance? Thanks!

[@NYCgoblue]

Got it figured out! Not only do you need to have Wifi on, you also need airplane mode off.

[@yank1tonybats511]

That was great! I'm always learning from your videos! Keep up the good work!!!!

[@antoniodesimone4689]

I have a question guys, when you use the tablet as second monitor all the operation will be handled by the main laptop (RAM, CPU), right? the tablet will only act as a second monitor, is that correct?

[@oztabletpc]

Correct.

[@antoniodesimone4689]

@@oztabletpc Thank you for your answer I have another question if you don't mind. If I use a surface laptop with a second monitor connected through USB-c, can I add a surface GO as a third monitor? is it possible to have an external monitor connected via USB-C and and a Surface Go (as a third monitor) connected wireless simultaneously??

[@bryceyang8924]

My main PC can't detect my surface pro, is it because my surface pro is in low power?

[@oztabletpc]

It's not power related, but there could be several reasons that it's not showing up. You'll find the answer in one of the tips in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2izo2uEaLCJipI

[@AL3X36000]

I was able to do this, but I can't do it anymore I think due to updates? , I don't know why this does not work ... Both devices are up to date and connected in Bluetooth

[@oztabletpc]

This doesn't use Bluetooth, but Wifi. So make sure both devices have Wifi turned on, and maybe check the connected Wifi network settings. In theory it shouldn't matter, but just check that both devices are set to Private Network Profiles in the Network settings.

[@maddnd9721]

I have a Macbook Pro and a Microsoft RT (one). Will this work on these devices?

[@NastassiaMeyer]

This is a great video and exactly what I need BUT I have two Microsoft Surface Laptops that are both connected to my work account and I'm wondering if that's why I don't have the ability to change Settings > Projecting to this PC options.... I can't change either of the three options on that screen. Any tips? I couldn't find anything in the Microsoft Support Forum. Thanks!

[@oztabletpc]

Thanks for the question. The answer that you require is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2izo2uEaLCJipI An update to Windows has caused this, but it's fairly easy to fix. That video will be helpful for any other issues and questions that come up with Wireless projecting too!

[@14luey]

Is it possible to do this with a wired connection from surface pro to a laptop?

[@oztabletpc]

Sorry, no it isn't. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpa7XqR7mtuDgqs But here is a video on how to improve Wireless performance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2izo2uEaLCJipI

[@robearto1259]

Does this still work on windows 11?

[@Peace1dy]

Is this the only way to do this? Is there not a way to just hdmi from one computer to your surface? Also can this work from other windows computers that are not surface one?

[@oztabletpc]

This can work with any Windows 8, 10, 11 computer with a compatible Wifi card (most of them). It is not possible with a wire / cable / cord, and here is a video explaining that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpa7XqR7mtuDgqs

[@TheAVJedi]

Nice tip! Thanks 👍

[@MrBazsi888]

clone-ing also works ?

[@hopebuilders1013]

can you use the pen on the surface go (2nd monitor) ?

[@gforce2924]

does the pen work

[@PatrickDunca]

Is it possible to do this with three devices at once to give three displays for the main computer?

[@oztabletpc]

No, this is for a single display only.

[@PatrickDunca]

@@oztabletpc thank you for the info!

[@plongkie224]

Thank you for the information! Awesome work! I just have to ask, if this is possible for a mac to make the surface as the 2nd screen?

[@oztabletpc]

If the mac was running Windows then it's possible. Apple famously don't allow their products to work with others though.

[@plongkie224]

@@oztabletpc I see, thank you for the fast reply! You're the best!

[@michaelggriffiths]

Best tip yet!

[@AshishMoradiya]

I have tried to project on surface pro 7 from lenovo carbon X1 6th gen, but I am getting flickering screen problem. couldn't fix after many tries, updating/installing latest driver in both devices didn't helped.

[@oztabletpc]

Which screen is flickering? Does it look like interference? Or is the screen going on and off?

[@RamonGuthrie]

Is there a wired way to do this so there is no lag?

[@oztabletpc]

Sorry, no it can't. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpa7XqR7mtuDgqs

[@lZeroKnifel]

Does this even work for desktop? I want to use my surface as a second monitor for my desktop

[@oztabletpc]

If your desktop has Wifi.

[@Mister.Y]

How long is the lag and is there a way to remove the lag using a cable?

[@oztabletpc]

It depends on your wireless setup. You can't use a cable, this video explains why: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpa7XqR7mtuDgqs

[@mircomalvoni3705]

only with wi-fi I can use Miracast ? Can I use the ethernet cable ? Thank you

[@oztabletpc]

Yes, Miracast is a WiFi standard. Although Ethernet can be used from the WiFi access point to the display, it cannot be used all the way. After all, it's meant to be Wireless. You can happily wire a HDMI cable if you need a wired solution.

[@mircomalvoni3705]

@@oztabletpc I would like to use the Surface Pro as a second monitor to edit PDF documents with the pen. I already have a powerful PC. I don't really like wifi I prefer to use cables since I work from home. Thanks for the reply

[@andysweeney3651]

Please help. My Windows 10 pro desktop will not detect my surface book. On the same WiFi and project settings have been set up. I’m out of ideas

[@oztabletpc]

This can be a really tricky / finicky one to set up. I've had issues myself. My only suggestion is to make sure all devices are up to date. Also if you can, try with another device if you have access to a third Windows 10... I've had a device that would simply not play ball when all others would. I don't know why. Very frustrating...

[@bugbearbey3772]

Can i use cable instead of wireless to reduce pen lag?

[@oztabletpc]

Sorry, no it can't. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpa7XqR7mtuDgqs But here is a video on how to improve Wireless performance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2izo2uEaLCJipI

[@raulchaves]

thanks for this wonderful tip. i followed your instructions and was able to use my surface go as a second screen. i played around with the display settings == tried using the maximum resolution (something like 3000 x 4000) for the extended screen (surface go). somehow this failed and messed up the setup. i lost the connection to the surface go. and now when i try to connect again, it fails. is there a way to reset these settings? thanks.

[@oztabletpc]

Interesting problem. I've never tried that, so I'm not sure how to fix it. Sorry!