Setup a Second Monitor Using a USB-C Dock With a Windows Laptop

Laptops are smaller and more portable than ever. While the smaller screen size is fine for most uses, occasionally extra screen space would be helpful. Adding an additional display is easy to setup and can be done using a USB-C Dock. The Dock has several ports, which can include HDMI and VGA ports for video, USB ports, and an ethernet port. The additional video outputs on the Dock can allow multiple displays to be configured when there is a need to increase the number of displays beyond the built-in display on your laptop. For this demonstration I will be adding one additional monitor to my laptop using a VGA cable connection.

What You Will Need:

1. USB-C Dock (available on Amazon for $35 to 75 depending on specifications)
2. Laptop (with a USB-C port)
3. Power Supply for Laptop
4. Monitor
5. Power Cable for Monitor
6. Video Cable (VGA or HDMI are most common)
7. Power Strip (optional)

Goal: At the end of this tutorial, you will know how to successfully setup and configure a secondary monitor using a USB-C Dock connected to a laptop.

Disclaimer: These instructions are educational and intended solely for reference. Any injuries, product damage, and/or property damage incurred while attempting any of the steps in these instructions are not the responsibility of the creator of these instructions. The creator/editor does not sponsor, endorse, or approve of any items or equipment used in this demonstration.

Overview:

Laptops can have varying ports located on each side. This Dock uses a USB-C type of connector. You may have more than one USB-C port on your laptop.

Note: If your laptop power cable is USB-C, make sure to plug the dock into the same port that is normally used for your power cable.

What To Do:

1. Locate the USB-C Cable coming out of the dock.
2. Plug it into the USB-C port on the laptop.

Overview:

Laptops can have many types of connectors on their power supplies. Locate the Power Supply cable for the laptop and determine if the cable is also a USB-C connection cable or a something different.

What To Do:

1. If the power cable is USB-C (shown in Step 2 image):

• Plug the USB-C end of the cable into the USB-C port on the dock. The port is clearly marked on the dock with a power icon making it easy to locate.

-OR-

2. If your laptop power cable is not a USB-C (not shown):

• Plug the power directly into the laptop charging port as normal.

Overview:

This step provides the connection which will extend the video from the laptop out to the external monitor.

What To Do:

1. Locate the end of the VGA cable coming out of the monitor.
2. Plug the VGA connector into the USB-C Dock.

Note: The Dock will have VGA labeled to help identify the correct port.

Overview:

The monitor must have power in order to turn on and display properly. While a laptop will run on battery power if charged, this demonstration includes plugging in the laptop as well.

What To Do:

• Plug both the laptop and monitor power cables into the power strip (or directly to wall outlet if not using a power strip).

Power strips can be of help if the wall outlet isn't in a convenient spot or if you have additional equipment requiring power.

What To Do:

1. Plug Power Strip into wall outlet.
2. Turn on any power switches on the Power Strip.

Overview:

The monitor and laptop must be powered on in order to configure the secondary monitor. Once the devices are powered on logging in will be necessary to complete the configuration.

What To Do:

1. Power on Monitor and Laptop by pressing the appropriate buttons on each device.
2. Login to the laptop when prompted with sign in box.

Overview:

In order to display to the second monitor it is necessary to access the onscreen Display Menu. This will give options of how you want the second monitor to be used. A keyboard shortcut can be used to quickly access the Display Menu.

What To Do:

• On the laptop keyboard, press Windows + P to show display options.

Overview:

For this example, the "extend" option will be selected. This means that the second monitor will be a visual extension of the laptop screen and windows and applications can be moved between the two displays.

What To Do:

• Select "Extend" from the pop-up Display Menu at the right of the laptop screen.

Congratulations! You know have expanded your visual display space!

• Take a few minutes to get used to the layout.
• Click and drag on the top menu bars to move your applications and windows from one screen to the other.

It takes just a bit to get used to using your new screen real estate, but in no time you will be wondering how you got by without it. Enjoy!

I am including this video demonstration to reinforce each step included in my Instructable. I hope that you find this helpful, and I wish you an abundance of productivity with your extra screen space.

Thank you for watching.