How to Turn a Macbook into a Second Screen of a Windows Computer

The rivalry between MacBook and Windows computers has never cooled down, but that doesn’t mean the two types of computers can’t be combined! You can use your MacBook as a second display for your Windows computer using a free and easy-to-use streaming app called Deskreen. Using your MacBook as a Windows computer’s second display is a way to help you project or extend your computer screen. This is the easiest way to help you use your MacBook as a second display of your Windows computer.

Steps

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Download and install Deskreen on your Windows computer. Deskreen is an open source application that allows you to turn any computer screen into a second monitor over a Wi-Fi network. Since the Macbook doesn’t support local monitor input, you need to create a second monitor this way. You can download Deskreen from https://deskreen.com.

Deskreen is just one of the options, but you should be aware that more popular versions, such as Sapcedesk, may not be available on macOS. ^{[1] X Research Source}
You just need to install Deskreen on your computer, because your MacBook can project your computer screen through the IP address that Deskreen gives you.

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Find the virtual desktop switcher. Software like Deskreen relies on the use of a small USB plug called a virtual desktop switch. This type of adapter makes the computer think that an external monitor is connected. It’s an affordable accessory that makes using a second monitor simpler.

The virtual display adapter is sometimes called an emulator plug. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Plug the virtual desktop adapter into the USB port of your Windows computer. This adapter is useful at a later step when you want to make Deskreen think an external display is connected.

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Open Deskreen on a Windows computer. Deskreen’s homepage will display a QR code and a custom IP address. If you want to extend the screen to your iPad or iPhone, a QR code will come in handy. You need the IP address.

Before you continue, you need to make sure your MacBook and Windows computers are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

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Enter the IP address into your Mac’s browser. Type the correct address that you see on Deskreen, and then click Enter . ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Click Allow on the Windows computer’s Deskreen. If you entered the correct IP address, Deskreen will receive a notification from the MacBook trying to connect. Allow the MacBook to connect and select Entire Screen sharing.

If you just need to project an app onto a second monitor, you can do it right away and use two screens!

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Select the second monitor from the Deskreen selection list. After you do a full-screen presentation, Deskreen displays two screens: the current computer screen as you see it, and a blank screen. Blank screen is a display extension thanks to the virtual screen switcher. Click it to project the screen to your MacBook.

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Change the projection setting of the computer screen to Extend . After plugging in the virtual desktop adapter, you’ll press the Windows key and P at the same time, and then select Extend from the selection shown in the menu.

Extending the screen allows you to view your computer screen on multiple monitors, as opposed to projecting entirely on one device. Luckily, with Deskreen enabled, you can extend the display to a second monitor!

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Start working with two screens. Now, the MacBook becomes the second screen of a Windows computer. To test, drag any window to the edge of the page until it disappears. The computer screen is immediately displayed on the second monitor (Macbook).

Steps

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