How to Set Up Your Laptop As A Desktop

by | Sep 13, 2019 | Computer Info

Do you have a laptop and wish you had a bigger screen sometimes?  Do you usually use it at a desk?  Want a better keyboard than what is on your laptop? I am going to show you how to set up your Laptop as a Desktop.

What you will need to set up your laptop to function as a desktop are an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.  This is easy to accomplish with the technology we have today.  Specifically, you will require a monitor (whatever size you want) with an HDMI port, an HDMI cable, USB keyboard and mouse (wired or wireless.) 

To start setting up your laptop as a desktop, set the monitor on your desk. Plug the monitor in and connect the HDMI cable to the port in the back and turn it on. 

HDMI port allows you to setup laptop like a desktop
HDMI port on your laptop

Open up your laptop and turn it on.  While it is booting you can plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the port on the side of your laptop. 

When the computer starts up, go ahead and log in.  You may see the monitor show your desktop, this is good. If it doesn’t show up yet don’t worry, we are going to show you how to set the display up correctly. 

Duplicate Your Display

On the laptop, go to the notification button on the bottom right of the screen next to the clock.

Notification icon for Windows 10

At the bottom, if it says Expand then click on that.

Expand toggle if menu is collapsed.

Then click on Project

Option to project desktop to second screen

Then select Duplicate

Option to Duplicate Screen to make laptop like a Desktop

You should now see the same screen on both the laptop and the monitor.  When we finish setting things up this will allow you to close the laptop and have your display show up on the external monitor.

If you want to have 2 monitors just click the Extend option instead. This will give you 2 monitors to use so you can get more done.

Close Lid on Laptop and Stay Running

Now go to the search bar at the bottom left of the screen and type lid.  Then select Change what closing the lid does.  On this screen make sure the 2 dropdowns for When I Close the Lid are set to Do Nothing.

Set options for When I Close the Lid to Do Nothing

Once you have followed all of these steps, plug in your external keyboard and mouse.  Close the lid and now you have a desktop. 

The nice thing is that when you need to take the laptop with you, just unplug the monitor, keyboard, and mouse and off you go.  When you get back, all you have to do is plug things back in where you took them out and it will work for you again. 

This is a great idea for people that want to save room on their desks but still like to have a bigger screen and a regular keyboard.  Hope this helps you save room and get more out of your laptop.

You can also find these directions at https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/976064/guided-help-dual-monitor-setup-is-easy-in-windows-7 .