Optimise Your Dual Screen Monitor Setup for Maximum Productivity

Unlock the full potential of your workspace by mastering a dual screen monitor setup.

Adopting a dual screen monitor setup is a great way to get more done and make your work environment a more comfortable, and efficient place. But getting the setup right and working for you is not always a simple job, and often people aren't aware of the things they can do to really get the most out of multiple screens.

Common pitfalls when using dual monitors

A poorly configured dual monitor setup can lead to confusion, eye strain, or workflow disruption. Common mistakes include mismatched resolutions, misaligned screens in settings, and inconsistent scaling—especially if combining a laptop with an external monitor. 

Learn how to dodge these problems in our guide below.

• Step 1: Monitor connection checks
• Step 2: Positioning on your desk
• Step 3: Choose landscape or portrait mode
• Step 4: Position your monitors in Windows
• Step 5: Optimise resolution & scale
• Maximising productivity: habits for everyday success

Step 1: Monitor connection checks

Most modern computers support multiple monitors out of the box. Here’s what you need to check:

• Ports: Check your PC or laptop for HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, or older connectors like VGA. There 's a guide at Practically Networked to help you work out what ports you have. 
• Cables: Match the cable to the port. If your monitor and PC don’t share the same type, you may need an adapter. Use cable ties to keep your cables tidy.
• Graphics capability: Most systems handle two monitors easily. For three or more, ensure you have an appropriate graphics card (don't forget to update the drivers).
  
  

Step 2: Positioning on your desk

Proper monitor positioning is vital for maximising comfort and minimising strain during extended use. Ideally, the primary monitor should be directly in front of you, with the top edge at or just below eye level. Your secondary monitor—be it a standard monitor or a laptop screen—should be positioned to the side, angled towards you for easy viewing without excessive neck twisting.

Adjust the distance so that both screens are at arm’s length. If using a laptop as a second screen, consider a laptop stand to match the monitor height, ensuring a smooth visual transition between screens. Ergonomically sound placement will reduce fatigue and support sustained productivity.

Once connected, power on your monitors and your computer. Windows should detect them automatically.

Step 3: Choose landscape or portrait mode

By default, monitors are in landscape mode (wider than tall). But portrait mode (taller than wide) can be a game-changer for certain tasks:

Portrait mode is great for:

• Reading long documents or web pages without scrolling.
• Coding, where vertical space matters.
• Reviewing spreadsheets with many rows.

To switch to portrait orientation:

1. Right-click your desktop and select Display settings.
   
2. You'll see an image of two screens with numbers of them. The numbers represent your primary and secondary monitors. The primary screen is where your Window Task Bar will be accessible from. If you want to swap which monitor is your main display simple click it and then click on the Make this my main display toggle shown below.
   
   
   
   
3. In Display settings, select the monitor you want to change and adjust Display orientation to Portrait.
   
   
   
   

Step 4: Position your monitors in Windows

Taking full advantage of multiple monitors in Windows starts with mirroring your desk setup in your display settings.

You want your mouse to move smoothly from one screen to another, and that requires proper positioning.

1. By default, external monitors will duplicate what is on the primary screen. If you want to use both screens you need to change the behaviour using the drop down menu option
   
2. Drag the monitors to match their physical layout (side by side, stacked, etc.) and hit Apply.
   
   
   Tip: If your mouse feels like it’s “hitting a wall,” the monitors are misaligned in settings. Adjust until movement feels natural.

Step 5: Optimise resolution & scale

Resolution determines how sharp and clear your display looks. A higher resolution is preferable because it gives a crisp easily readable image for detailed work, but consistency between monitors aids comfort and readability.

 Here’s what you need to know:

• Match resolutions if possible: If both monitors are the same size and resolution, your experience will feel seamless.
• Different resolutions are okay: If one monitor is 4K and the other is 1080p, then it's ok to have different resolutions. You can use scaling setting to make everything appear consistent across both monitors. 
• Set each monitor to its native resolution: This ensures the best clarity. Forcing a monitor to use a different resolution can lead to blurry text and images. 

To adjust:

1. In Display settings, select a monitor and scroll down to Scale & layout.
2. Ensure that the Display resolution is set to the native resolution (it will say recommended beside it)
   
   
3. Repeat the above resolution process for the second monitor.
4. If you are using monitors of different resolutions, adjust use the Scale setting for one of the monitors to make the icons and text appear to be the same size across both monitors.

Maximising productivity: habits for everyday success

To truly get the most from a dual monitor setup, develop habits that leverage the expanded workspace. Group related applications together—such as keeping email and messaging on one screen while dedicating the other to core business tasks. Consider using productivity tools like virtual desktops or taskbar customisation to further compartmentalise work.

Next steps...?

If your business is unsure about how to get the most out of your display setups and your IT then IT Foundations can help. Our team of Edinburgh based experts support organisations across Scotland and northern England. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.