Projector Issues - Duplicate vs Extended Explained
Problem:
Sometimes when using a projector within a classroom or other space, instead of showing what is on the monitor, it displays the desktop with nothing showing on it.
Reason:
The default behavior in Windows 11 for a Desktop computer is that when any external source (In this case, a Projector) is connected to the machine, the display is set to "Extended" desktop.
An Extended Desktop is treated as if you had plugged in an additional monitor for your machine. In an "Extended", multi-monitor setup, you would be able to seamlessly move your mouse and computer windows between all screens.
For the classrooms, the wanted behavior is a "Duplicate" desktop; where what is on one screen is shown on all screens.
Resolution:
There are two ways to change the display settings from "Extended" to "Duplicate".
Solution #1 - Keyboard Shortcut
There is a quick and easy keyboard shortcut to change the display settings for your computer. Simply press and hold the "Windows" key on your keyboard (See Figure 1). While holding the "Windows" key, tap the "P" key on your keyboard.
Figure 1 - The Windows Key
A new window will open up (See Figure 2). Simply select the desired screen option (In this scenario, we would want Duplicate).
Your projector should now be matching what is on your monitor.
Figure 2 - Select your Display Settings (Duplicate)
Solution #2 - Display Settings
If for whatever reason the Keyboard shortcut combination is not working, there is an alternative way of accessing the Screen Settings.
From your Desktop, right click and select "Display Settings". A new window will open up (See Figure 3). In the upper right hand side, there will be an option that will read "Extend Desktop". Select that option, and set to "Duplicate".
Figure 3 - select the highlighted option to set to "Duplicate these displays"
Additional Issues
Sometimes, when changing from Extended to Duplicate, the screen resolution will change (it will become smaller than the full monitor).
When this occurs, follow the steps to open Display Settings as outlined in Solution #2.
In that same window shown in Figure 3, scroll down until you find the "Screen Resolution" setting. Set this to be "1920 x 1080 (Recommended)". You will get a pop-up box asking to confirm or revert the changes. Select "Confirm".
The screen will now take up the entire monitor.