Tutorial: How to Setup Multiple Monitors on Windows 7 And or Mac OS X [Screenshots Plus Step by Step]

Using multiple monitors is a perfect way to increase your productivity. The bigger workspace will help you accomplish more in less time, and it couldn't be easier to set up. With only nine simple steps, you can get two monitors working on either Mac OS X or Windows 7. Just a few minutes and a couple of clicks, and you're ready to multitask.

Mac OS X

Step 1. Plug in your monitors to your computer, and turn them on. 

Step 2. Launch System Preferences from your applications folder. 

Step 3. Click the "Displays" button.

Step 4. On your first monitor, you'll see a window with three tabs: Display, Arrangement, and Colour.

Step 5. On your second monitor, you'll see a window with two tabs: Display and Colour.

Step 6. Depending on what controls your specific monitors have available, you can alter the brightness, screen orientation, resolution, and underscan to fit perfectly. If everything looks right by default, there's no need to change anything.

Step 7. On your first monitor, switch to the Arrangement tab. From here, you can change where your screens line up virtually. For the best result, you want to position the two screens in the same configuration that they're arranged on your desk. If monitor one is on the left side of the desk, position it the same way on screen. That way, moving your mouse all the way to the right will take the cursor off the first monitor, and place it on the second.

Step 8. If you want to mirror your first monitor's display onto your second monitor, check the "Mirror Displays" button at the bottom of the window. Otherwise, leave it unchecked. (This is only useful for demonstrations and presentations — not for multitasking.)

Step 9. Close the window, and you're set.

Windows 7

Step 1. Plug in your monitors to your computer, and turn them on. 

Step 2. Launch Control Panel from the start menu.

Step 3. Click the "Displays" button.

Step 4. Click on "Change Display Settings"

Step 5. If Windows hasn't already recognized your display, you can click the "Detect" button. If they're both showing up already, you're set.

Step 6. You can now click and drag your displays. For the best result, you want to position the two screens in the same configuration that they're arranged on your desk. If monitor one is on the left side of the desk, position it the same way on screen. That way, moving your mouse all the way to the right will take the cursor off the first monitor, and place it on the second. 

Step 7. If you want to tinker with the resolution or orientation of your screen, both drop-down menus are available in this window. If everything looks proper, leave them as is. 

Step 8. For both monitors to work as one giant desktop, leave the "Multiple Displays" option on "Extend these displays". Only switch to screen mirroring if you're doing demonstrations or presentations. 

Step 9. Click "Apply," and you're good to go.

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