How to Automatically Turn Off Your Laptop Screen While Using an External Monitor on Windows 10

When using an external monitor with your laptop, it's essential to learn how to turn off your laptop screen automatically. This can be done through various methods that cater to different user preferences and requirements. In this guide, we will explore two primary methods:

Using a Keyboard Shortcut

This method is the simplest and most straightforward approach. Regardless of whether you're on a laptop or a desktop connected to an external monitor, you can achieve this with a simple keyboard shortcut.

Steps

Ensure that your Windows PC and external monitor are properly connected via a compatible connection (e.g., VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort).

Press the Win P keys simultaneously. This will bring up a sidebar with four different display arrangement modes:

PC screen only - Display only on your laptop's screen. Duplicate - Duplicate the display on both your laptop's screen and the external monitor. Extend - Extend your desktop to your external monitor. Second screen only - Display only on the external monitor, turning off the laptop's screen.

Select Second screen only to automatically turn off your laptop screen while keeping your external monitor active.

Wait a couple of seconds for the changes to take effect. Your external monitor should now display the Windows desktop, while your laptop screen will be off.

Using the Control Panel

If you prefer a more manual but effective method, you can use the Control Panel to adjust your display settings.

Steps

Make sure your Windows PC and external monitor are connected and configured correctly.

Right-click on an open area of your Windows desktop and select Screen Resolution to open the display settings in the Control Panel.

The Control Panel will recognize which is your primary (internal) screen and which is your secondary (external) screen. It will show a numbering system for identification (e.g., 1 or 2). Click on the Identify button to flash both displays briefly. Note the number assigned to your external monitor (usually 2).

In the display settings, select the dropdown menu for Multiple Displays. Choose Show desktop only on 2 to automatically turn off the laptop screen and show the desktop on the external monitor.

Click Apply, then OK. Your laptop screen should turn off in a few seconds, and the desktop will appear on the external monitor. If prompted, click Save changes to keep this setting.

By following these steps, you can easily manage your laptop and external monitor settings to suit your needs, ensuring that your laptop screen is automatically turned off while your external monitor remains operational.