Remote Desktop, Dual Monitors at Home

If the computer you are working from has dual monitors setup, it is possible to pass the dual monitors display from your remote Windows computer session through to your local computer. For example, if you are working from home and remoting into a work computer. This is managed through the Remote Desktop Connection.

HOW-TO GUIDE

Remote Desktop: Using Multiple Monitors

Follow these instructions to configure Remote Desktop to use all available monitors when connecting to your work computer.


Reading time: 3 minutes

Audience: Faculty and Staff

Before you begin

Before configuring multiple monitors, make sure you have:

  • A home computer configured to connect to your work computer using Remote Desktop.
  • An existing Remote Desktop shortcut or the name of your remote work computer.

If Remote Desktop is not already configured, see Remote Desktop, Connecting to Remote Desktop.

Instructions

  1. From your home computer, right-click your remote computer's RDP shortcut and select Edit.
    • If you do not have a desktop shortcut, type Remote Desktop Connection in the Windows Start Search bar. Select your remote computer from the drop-down list, then click Show Options.
  2. Select the Display tab.
  3. Under Display configuration, check Use all monitors for the remote session.
  4. Select the General tab and click Save.
  5. You can now connect to your work computer using all available monitors during your Remote Desktop session.

Display Configuration

Remote Desktop Display tab showing the Use all monitors for the remote session option

Save Remote Desktop Settings

Remote Desktop General tab showing the Save option

Quick Tip: You can hide the Remote Desktop session banner by clicking the Unpin the connection bar button.

Remote Desktop connection bar unpin button


Need additional assistance?

If you need assistance configuring Remote Desktop or connecting to your work computer, contact IT@VetMed.

it@vetmed.illinois.edu



Keywords:
vpn, remote, rdp, monitors, dual, home 
Doc ID:
102585
Owned by:
Jacob T. in UI College of Veterinary Medicine
Created:
2020-05-28
Updated:
2026-11-14
Sites:
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine