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How to configure DisplayLink displays on Windows

This article describes how to configure the DisplayLink displays. There are three configuration modes:
  1. Extend mode: This is the default setting for a DisplayLink display. The display is an extension of the Windows desktop, and will be extended to the right of the main display. Moving the mouse off the right hand side of the display will move it onto the extended screen. The relative positions of the extended displays can be configured and is described below.
  2. Mirror (also known as clone or duplicate) mode: The DisplayLink display mirrors the content of you main display. Note that in mirror mode, both displays must have the same resolution, which may not be optimal for the display. This can make the desktop look streched or scaled and there could be black borders around the image on the screen.
  3. Primary or Replace mode: The DisplayLink is the main Windows display. Replace mode extends primary mode by also disabling the laptop or tablet screen while connected to the DisplayLink device. This mode is used if wanting to use your laptop with the lid closed.

Configuring Display settings


The Windows display settings can be configured under Windows Control Panel -> Screen Resolution. The easiest way to open the screen resolution settings is to right click anywhere on the Windows desktop, then choose "Screen Resolution" from the menu.

Below we describe how to set the various configuration modes:

Configuring extend mode

Using the Windows Display interface


To extend the displays, choose "Extend these displays" from the Multiple displays menu, and click "Apply":

Windows 7 - Windows 8.1


Windows 10

The arrangement of the displays can be changed by dragging the screens to the correct position, to reflect the physical positions of the displays on your desk.

Using the DisplayLink UI

  1. From the taskbar, click the Show hidden icons arrow to show all available icons.
  2. Click the DisplayLink icon:  or 
    A menu appears with several options.
  3. Choose "Extend" from the device submenu

Configuring mirror mode


It is possible to only mirror 2 displays using the windows interface. It is not possible to mirror more than 2 displays. If you want to mirror more than 2 displays, we recommend 3rd party display management tools, for example Actual Multiple Monitors.

Using the Windows Display interface


To mirror the displays, choose "Duplicate these displays" from the Multiple displays menu, and click "Apply":

Windows 7 - 8.1


Windows 10

Using the DisplayLink UI

  1. From the taskbar, click the Show hidden icons arrow to show all available icons.
  2. Click the DisplayLink icon:  or 
    A menu appears with several options. 
  3. Choose "Mirror" from the device submenu

Configuring Replace mode


Note that your laptop or tablet display will be re-enabled when the DisplayLink display is disconnected.

Using the Windows Display interface


To make the DisplayLink display the main display and disable the laptop or tablet screen, choose "Show desktop only on 2" from the Multiple displays menu, and click "Apply":

Windows 7 - 8.1


Windows 10

Using the DisplayLink UI

  1. From the taskbar, click the Show hidden icons arrow to show all available icons.
  2. Click the DisplayLink icon:  or 
    A menu appears with several options. 
  3. Choose "Notebook Monitor Off" from the device submenu

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