How Do I Use Remote Desktop As a Second Monitor?

To use your local monitors, including a second monitor, for a remote desktop session, you can configure the RDP connection to span across all your displays connected to your local computer. This effectively makes your physical monitors function as displays for the remote session's desktop environment.

A common way to achieve this is by editing the Remote Desktop Connection (.rdp) file associated with your saved connection settings.

Steps to Configure RDP for Multiple Monitors

Based on standard Remote Desktop Connection client settings, here is how to adjust your connection to utilize multiple displays, including your second monitor:

• Locate Your Connection File: Find the saved .rdp file for the remote connection you want to modify. If you don't have one, you can create a new connection, configure the basic settings (like the computer name), and then save it first.
• Edit the RDP File:
  1. Right-click on the .rdp file.
  2. Select Edit from the context menu that appears. This action opens the Remote Desktop Connection configuration window.
• Adjust Display Settings:
  1. Navigate to the Display tab within the configuration window. This tab contains options related to the remote session's resolution and monitor usage.
  2. Locate the setting that controls the use of multiple monitors. This is typically labeled "Use all my monitors for the remote session".
  3. Check this box if you want the remote desktop session to expand and utilize all displays connected to your local computer.
  4. Uncheck this box if you prefer the remote session to be confined to a single display (which you can then typically run in a window or maximize on one specific monitor).
• Save the Configuration:
  1. Go to the General tab of the configuration window.
  2. Click the Save button. This saves the changes you made to the Display settings directly into the .rdp file.

After saving, double-clicking this .rdp file will now launch the Remote Desktop session configured to use all your local monitors.

Benefits of Using Multiple Monitors with RDP

Enabling multi-monitor support for your remote session provides several key advantages:

• Extended Workspace: Gain a larger effective desktop area for the remote computer's environment, allowing you to spread out applications and windows.
• Improved Multitasking: Easily view and interact with multiple programs simultaneously on different screens without constant alt-tabbing.
• Enhanced Productivity: Work more efficiently by having reference material, communication tools, or other necessary applications visible on secondary displays while focusing on your primary task on another.

This setup makes your local second monitor function seamlessly as an integrated part of the remote desktop environment.

Alternative Method Using the Client App

You can also configure multi-monitor use directly within the Remote Desktop Connection client application before connecting:

1. Open the Remote Desktop Connection application (mstsc.exe).
2. Click Show Options.
3. Go to the Display tab.
4. Adjust the "Use all my monitors for the remote session" setting.
5. Enter the remote computer's name and connect. You can optionally save these settings from the General tab for future use.

By following these steps, whether by editing the RDP file or configuring the client directly, you can effectively use your second monitor (and any other connected displays) as part of your Remote Desktop session.