Mirroring a Windows screen to an external display such as a TV, monitor, or projector can be achieved through either wired or wireless methods, enhancing productivity and viewing experiences.
Before initiating the process, it is essential to ensure that the necessary prerequisites are met. For wireless mirroring, the display receiver must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the computer. In contrast, wired connections require an HDMI cable and available HDMI ports on both devices.
To connect a Windows PC to a TV, monitor, or projector, users can follow specific steps tailored to their preferred method. One approach is using Miracast wirelessly. This involves ensuring the screen receiver is set up and connected to Wi-Fi, with both the receiver display and computer on the same wireless network.
The process begins by opening the computer’s Start menu by clicking the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the desktop. Then, the gear icon on the bottom-left corner, located above the Power icon, is clicked to open Windows Settings. Within the Settings window, the “Devices” option is selected to access device and connection settings.
Next, “Bluetooth & other devices” is clicked on the left menu at the top of the navigation panel. The “+ Add Bluetooth or other device” button at the top of the Bluetooth & other devices page is then clicked. On the “Add a device” menu, “Wireless display or dock” is selected to scan the network for available display devices.
The display’s name is then clicked on the “Add a device” menu to connect and mirror the computer’s screen. Finally, the “Done” button is clicked to close the menu and start viewing the screen on the external display.
Alternatively, users can opt for a wired connection using an HDMI cable. This method requires obtaining an HDMI cable to transmit uncompressed audio and video in high definition. If a device lacks an HDMI port, an adapter such as Mini DisplayPort to HDMI can be purchased.
One end of the HDMI cable is plugged into an HDMI port on the computer, typically found on the side or back of the device. The other end is then plugged into the TV, monitor, or projector’s HDMI port. The TV or projector is then switched to the correct HDMI input using the display’s remote or menu buttons, automatically mirroring the computer’s screen.
A pro tip for users experiencing laggy or pixelated wireless connections is to try moving closer to the router or switching to a wired HDMI connection for a more stable and higher-quality display experience.
Once the screen is mirrored, users can adjust display settings to extend their desktop instead of simply duplicating it. Pressing the “Windows key + P” provides a quick way to switch between display modes like Extend, Duplicate, or Second screen only.
Further customization can be achieved by navigating to “Settings > System > Display,” allowing users to adjust resolution and orientation. This is particularly useful when connecting to displays with different aspect ratios or setting up multi-monitor workstations for improved productivity.
