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How to Use Dual Monitors in VMware

Bypass default settings and use your VM the way you want to

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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There are times when you need to perform a specific job in VMware virtual machines using more than one monitor. Users have tried connecting other monitors in VMware in order to do so.

However, they have reported thatVMwareis not detecting thesecond monitorand thus they cannot use it.

Does VMware support dual monitors?

Does VMware support dual monitors?

VMwareis configured to detect only one monitor by default. However, you can change its settings so that your VM can detect dual or multiple monitors at once.

In this article, we are going to explore a guaranteed way that can help you to deal with this situation.

How do I set up dual monitors in VMware?

Although VMware cannot detect more than one monitor by default, you can configure Settings to use thedual monitorwith the help of the VMware Workstation tool.

The tool can be installed via VMware’s built-in settings, thus it is perfectly safe and easy to use. With it, you can set up as many monitors as you want on your VM.

1. Turn off yourvirtual machinebefore proceeding to the next steps.

  1. Now open the VMware application and navigate toEdit>Preferences.

3.Click onDisplayfrom the left panel, and you will see two options underAutofit. Use the checkboxes to selectAutofit guestandAutofit window.

  1. Select theAutofit guestoption available under theFullscreensection. It is also needed to modify the resolution of your VM.

  2. Hit theOKbutton to save the new settings.

6.Right-click the name of your virtual machine and clickSettings. Select theHardwaretab (if not already selected) and then click theDisplaylabel.

  1. Choose theSpecify monitors settingsoption and specify 2 under theNumber of monitorsoption.

  2. You also need to enter the resolution of a single monitor under theMaximum resolution of any one monitorlabel. Click theOKbutton to save the changes.

  3. Once you are done with all the above-mentioned changes, turn on your virtual machine. Navigate toView>Cycle Multiple Monitors.

Once you click onCycle Multiple Monitors, you may encounter theCannot use multiple monitorserror. If you are one of those who are experiencing a similar situation, you need to install VMware Tools.

  1. Turn on your virtual machine.

11.Navigate to the menu bar and selectVMand then clickInstall VMware Tools.

  1. If that is your first attempt to install the VMware Tools, click theOKbutton that appears on the Install VMware Tools information window.

  2. The VMware Tools installation wizard should start if autorun is already enabled for the CD-ROM drive.

  3. If you do not see the installation wizard, press theWin+Rkeys and type the following command for a 64-bit system:D:setup.exeorD:setup64.exe

D refers to your virtual CD-ROM drive. If you use a 32-bit system, simply change the number in the command.

  1. You will have to choose betweenTypical,CompleteorCustom optionsduring the installation process. SelectCompleteif you want to run the virtual machine on multiple VMware products.

  2. Now your virtual machine should work perfectly fine with dual monitors. You can manage your monitors fromSettings>System>Displayon your system.

Let us know in the comments section below if this method worked for you to set up multiple monitors on your VMware virtual machine.

Likewise, if you encountered any difficulties while trying it out, write them down.

More about the topics:Multi-monitor guides,vmware,VMware Workstation

Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.

Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.

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Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.