Setting a dual monitor wallpaper can transform your workspace. You can be looking at a nice background when working and also keep things more organized.
But how do you set a dual monitor wallpaper on Windows 10 or 11?
Also read: Windows 10’s End of Life Is Near: What You Need to Consider?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to easily spread your wallpaper across two screens.
Also read: How to Download and Install Windows 11: The Most Up-to-Date Information
How to Set Dual Monitor Wallpaper on Windows 10
Option 1: How to set up one background image for multiple monitors
The first thing you can do is set up one wallpaper for several monitors. This is easy to do:
- Launch the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I on your keyboard.
- Once you’re inside the Settings app, select Personalization.
- On the left-pane menu, click Background.
- Move to the right pane, then scroll down to the Choose your picture section.
- Select a photo for your background, and if you don’t find what you like in the quick list, you can click the Browse button.
- Right-click the photo you selected from the list.
- Now, you will see three options:
- Set for all monitors
- Set for monitor 1
- Set for monitor 2
- If you want to use a single image for both monitors, select the Set for all monitors option.
- You may notice that the image fills each of the monitors you have. If you want it to span across two displays, you can click the drop-down list under Choose a fit, then select Span.
Also read: Monitor Goes Black Randomly? Here’s What to Do!
Option 2: How to set different wallpaper for each monitor
But what if you want to have a different wallpaper on each monitor?
We understand that there are users who prefer different images for their monitors. So, we’ll also share how you can configure this. Older Windows operating systems allow you to do this via the Control Panel. However, this feature was removed from Windows 10. Instead, you can set up the images via the Settings app.
It’s true that the Control Panel offers more options for configuring wallpapers. That said, the Settings app still allows you to use different images for multiple displays.
Here’s how to set up the wallpaper for dual-screen PCs. Follow the instructions below:
- Go to your taskbar, then click the Windows icon.
- Click the gear icon to open the Settings app.
- Select Personalization, then click Background from the left-pane menu.
- Now, select an image from the Choose your picture section. You can also click Browse to locate the photo you like.
- After selecting your background image, right-click it from the list, then select Set for monitor 1 or Set for monitor 2.
- To set up the background photo for the other monitor, repeat steps 4 and 5.
Also read: [FIXED] Second Monitor Not Detected on Windows 10 PC
How to Set Dual Monitor Wallpaper on Windows 11
A dual-monitor setup can increase your productivity at home or office. If you’re using a Windows 11 dual-monitor setup, you already benefit from this productivity boost. However, you might not know that you can set different wallpapers for each monitor.
Windows 11 comes preinstalled with several themes and photos. These themes are available within the Personalization tab of the Settings app, and you can even create a custom theme. So, you can use different wallpapers to spice up your dual-monitor setup. However, note that to use personal images for your dual-monitor setup, you’ll need to set them up first.
Option 1: How to set the same wallpaper for dual monitors in Windows 11
Let’s start with the same wallpaper arrangement as we did with Windows 10:
- To access Settings, simultaneously press the Windows + I keys.
- When on the Settings screen, click Personalization and pick Personalize your background to display image options.
- Scroll down to access the Choose a photo or Browse photos option.
- From Browse photos, select an image in your storage and right-click on it.
- Next, choose Set for all monitors, and you’re done.
The second method to use is copying files to the Windows directory. Follow these steps:
- Select the images you want to use as a background and copy them.
- Next, open your File Explorer and navigate to:
C:/Windows/Web/Wallpaper/Windows
- Right-click on this window and paste the copied images.
- A pop-up window appears. From it, select Do this for all current items, then Continue.
- Next, go to Settings.
- Pick Personalization from the left navigation bar.
- Choose Background, right-click on the added image, pick Set for all monitors, and restart your PC to implement the changes.
Alternatively, you can use the Run command dialog to set your wallpapers. Here is a simple guide:
- Access the command prompt window by pressing the Windows + R combination.
- Key in the following command in the dialog box, then press OK:
shell:::{ED834ED6-4B5A-4bfe-8F11-A626DCB6A921} -Microsoft.PersonalizationpageWallpaper
- Select Desktop Background from the options at the bottom of your screen.
- Choose a preferred wallpaper, right-click on it and pick Set for all monitors.
- Restart your PC.
Further reading: Windows Command Prompt: 28 Most Useful CMD Commands [with Examples]
You can also choose to set different images for your monitors. Here is how to set wallpaper for dual-screen on Windows 11:
- Press the Win + I combination to open your Settings.
- Select Personalization and Background from the left sidebar to access wallpaper settings.
- To choose your favorite wallpaper, pick the Browse photos option next to Choose a photo in the Background section.
- Next, right-click on the image you prefer from the Recent images tab and choose Set for monitor 1 from the options.
- Further, repeat the process by right-clicking on a different image and selecting Set for monitor 2 to set it as the second monitor’s wallpaper.
- You’ve successfully set a unique wallpaper on each monitor in Windows 11, and you’ll be able to see your images for each monitor.
- Before setting the wallpapers, ensure you know the monitor numbers. If you don’t, you can go to System from your Settings, select Display, then click on the Identify button. The monitor number will appear at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
Also read: [FIXED] Windows 10 Display Is Too Big for a Monitor
Option 2: How to extend wallpaper across the two Windows 11 monitors
You might also want your wallpaper to span across all your monitors for a unified look. There is a feature available for extending your wallpaper to both monitors. Here’s how it works:
- Press the Windows + I keys at the same time to access Settings.
- Select the System option from the left navigation and then click on Display to access the display menu.
- Pick the Advanced display option.
- Next, select Extend from the drop-down menu to extend the wallpaper to both monitors.
Otherwise, you will notice that there are delays when you’re switching to different background images. To ensure that your PC is in its optimal condition, we recommend that you use Auslogics BoostSpeed .
This tool has an efficient cleaning module that can safely sweep out all types of computer junk.
What’s more, you can use it to tweak non-optimal system settings, allowing processes and services to run at a faster pace.
How to Set Up Dual Monitor Wallpaper on Windows 10/11 Using Third-Party Software
If, for any reason, you don’t want to go through the steps above, you can also set up your dual monitor wallpaper using third-party software. There are quite a few programs online that can help you manage dual monitors. Some popular options include:
DisplayFusion will let you easily customize wallpaper on both monitors. Plus, there are additional features on board—you can manage windows, split your monitor, control your monitor remotely, and more.
Ultramon is another option. You will be able to set wallpapers for your monitors, plus there are options to manage apps on dual monitors and control app positioning.
Dual Monitor Tools is a collection of tools for managing dual monitors on Windows. You will want to download DMT Wallpaper Changer, but there are lots of other useful instruments like DMT Screensaver, DMT Screen Swap, and others.
Once you’ve picked your tool, download it and follow the instructions for setting your wallpaper.
Most third-party dual monitor management tools will let you use one image stretched across both monitors or set different images for each monitor.
How to Set Dual Monitor Wallpaper: Fully Explained
Setting up dual monitor wallpapers on Windows 10 and 11 can be great for enhancing your desktop experience. It can not only make your workspace more personal and visually appealing but also increase productivity. You may actually be more efficient when you can customize your desktop and pick the colors that help you focus.
As we’ve explained in this article, you can use built-in settings in Windows or third-party software to set up wallpaper on dual monitors. Let us know in the comments below which of the methods above has worked the best for you!
