Projector Tricks In Windows 7

In older versions of Windows using an external projector with your laptop can be a difficult task. It seems like every laptop has a different function key combination to enable output for a projector. In Windows 7 that has finally been improved. Now, all you have to do is hit the Windows Key + P and the projector menu will be displayed.

The on-screen display will allow you to:

    - Show Desktop only on Computer

    - Duplicate Desktop on Projector

    - Extend Desktop to Projector

    - Show Desktop only on projector

If you don’t like keyboard shortcuts you can also create a desktop or taskbar shortcut to the projector menu. To do that, create a shortcut to "C:\Windows\System32\DisplaySwitch.exe".

Displayswitch.exe also has command line parameters that allow you to create a shortcut that will set a specific display mode. 

    - /internal

    - /clone

    - /extend

    - /external

If you wanted to create a shortcut that would turn off your external monitor then point a shortcut to "C:\windows\system32\displayswitch.exe /internal".

Posted in: How-To, Windows 7