Connect Surface to a TV, monitor, or projector

This table lists recommended adapters for different Surface devices so you can find an adapter that connects to your external monitor. Additional adapters that may work, depending on your device, include:

• Microsoft USB-C Travel Hub

• Surface USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (if your device has a USB-A port)

• Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter (for Surface Pro 7+, Surface Pro 8, some other models)

Adapters	Surface models	Daisy chain support	Audio Support
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI	Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2
Mini DisplayPort to VGA	Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2
USB-C to HDMI	Surface Studio 2, Surface Studio 2+, Surface Book 2, Surface Book 3, Surface Go 2 and later generations, Surface Laptop 3 and later generations, Surface Go and later generations, Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Laptop Studio 2, Surface Pro 7 and later generations
USB-C to VGA	Surface Studio 2, Surface Studio 2+, Surface Book 2, Surface Book 3, Surface Go 2 and later generations, Surface Laptop 3 and later generations, Surface Go and later generations, Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Laptop Studio 2, Surface Pro 7 and later generations

Look at the video ports on your TV, monitor, or projector. Ports you usually see would include HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA. This will help you determine what adapters and cables you need for your device, as they're often sold separately.

For the best results, we recommend:

• If possible, use the same type of connection between your Surface or dock and your monitor.

• If you can’t use the same type of connection, we recommend one of these types of connections (in order of best results): USB-C, DisplayPort (Mini DisplayPort), HDMI, DVI, VGA.

These adapters are recommended for use with your Surface:

• Surface USB-C to display adapter

• Officially licensed third-party accessories

If your external screen has a DisplayPort

Depending on which Surface you have, you'll need one of the following:

• A USB-C to DisplayPort adapter and DisplayPort cable (sold separately)

• A Mini DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort cable (sold separately)

If your screen only has a Mini DisplayPort, you can set up the following connections—connect a USB-C to HDMI adapter to an HDMI cable then to an HDMI to Mini DisplayPort and then to your external screen. 

Keep in mind that the more adapters used, the more degraded the signal may get. 

If your external screen has an HDMI port

Depending on which Surface you have, you'll need one of the following:

• A USB-C to HDMI adapter and HDMI cable (sold separately)

• A Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter and HDMI cable (sold separately)

If your external screen has a VGA port

Depending on which Surface you have, you'll need one of the following:

• A USB-C to VGA adapter and VGA cable (sold separately)

• A Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter and VGA cable (sold separately)

A VGA adapter and cable are for video only. Audio will play from your Surface speakers unless you've connected external speakers. For more info, go to Surface sound, volume, and audio accessories.

After you have your second monitor or a projector set up, you might want to have a taskbar on more than one screen to make switching between apps and files easier on the desktop. Here's how to get taskbars on all of your displays and change how buttons appear on them.

1. Select Search on the taskbar, enter taskbar, and in the search results, select Taskbar settings.

2. Select Taskbar behaviors, then select the Show my taskbar on all displays check box.

3. Next to When using multiple displays, show my taskbar apps on, choose one of the following options:

   • All taskbars: The taskbar buttons for all your open windows will be duplicated on the taskbars on each display.

   • Main taskbar and taskbar where window is open: A taskbar button will appear on your main monitor and in the taskbar on the display where the window is open.

   • Taskbar where window is open: A taskbar button will appear only on the display where the window is open. None of the buttons will be duplicated on other taskbars.

Connecting another monitor to your Surface is a great way to multitask. You can use one monitor for work (for example, running Office apps) and the other for play (chatting or music).

Once connected, use one of the following key combinations to move an app to the second screen:

To	Do this
Move Microsoft Store or desktop apps to another monitor.	Windows logo key  + Shift + Right arrow or Windows logo key + Shift + Left arrow You can also move a Microsoft Store or desktop app to another screen by clicking the title bar and dragging it to the other screen.
Move Microsoft Store or desktop apps to the left, center, and right on a monitor.	Windows logo key + Right arrow or Windows logo key + Left arrow

Windows 11 makes it easy to use two apps side by side. For example, you can schedule meetings on your calendar while you respond to email, or record a lecture in class with Sound Recorder while you take notes in the desktop.

To use two apps side by side:

1. Open an app that you'd like to use.

2. Press and hold (or click and hold) the title bar and drag the app to one side of the screen.

3. On the other side of the screen, select another app. It will appear next to the first app.