If you have several monitors connected to your computer, then I think almost every one of you has thought that it would be nice to display the system tray on two monitors, i.e. make the start button on the second monitor and all other corresponding menus. Unfortunately, without using additional programs, this is impossible to do, but you can make the tray appear on the second monitor. This can be useful in many cases, for example, if you are working in some kind of full-screen application, or playing a game, and you need to look at the running programs or find out the current time.

Drag the system tray to the second monitor

And so, in order to display the system tray on the second monitor, you need to do the following:

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and uncheck the "Pin the taskbar" checkbox.
2. After this, you need to “grab” the taskbar with the left mouse button and drag it to another monitor. Along with the Taskbar, the system tray, with all its icons and time, will also move to the second monitor.
3. Now all that’s left is to right-click again on the Taskbar and return the checkbox to “Lock the taskbar” to avoid accidentally dragging it.

This method is guaranteed to work on Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 operating systems.

On the left is the main monitor, on the right is the secondary monitor. The system tray is located on the main monitor.

On the left is the main monitor, on the right is the secondary monitor. The system tray is located on the secondary monitor.

I connected two monitors and they work fine in expansion mode, how can I make it so that it is not in expansion mode but a full-fledged second virtual desktop is displayed on the second one? as a last resort, at least duplicate the taskbar.

Work and play more efficiently on a computer with multiple monitors

Adding a Second Monitor for a Laptop

Since every laptop contains a built-in screen, you only need to connect one monitor to use two screens. This is easy since most laptops come with a video port. (Unlike desktop computers, two video ports are rare on laptops.) Connect a monitor to a DVI or VGA port, and Windows 7 will automatically detect it. As described above, you may need an adapter to connect a DVI cable to a VGA port (or vice versa).

I connect the monitor to my laptop when I work at my desk and unplug it when I take my laptop on the go. In this case, you do not need to change any settings in Windows.

The Multiple Displays drop-down list appears when Windows detects multiple monitors connected to the same computer.

It's easy with Windows 7

When you connect two monitors to a desktop computer or one monitor to a laptop, Windows 7 should automatically detect each new monitor and provide options for multiple displays. You can choose one of the following:

Expansion of screens. This will stretch one desktop across both monitors, allowing you to drag and drop items between the two screens. This is how most users set up dual monitors and is the default setting.

Screen duplication. Selecting this option will display one desktop on two monitors. For a laptop, this is the default setting. It is convenient to use during a presentation on a laptop connected to a projector or large monitor.

Display the desktop on only one monitor. This option is most often used on a laptop if you want to leave its screen blank after connecting it to a large desktop monitor.

To find these options, click the Start button, select Control Panel, type "screen" in the search box, and then under Screen, click Connecting to an external display. For more information, see

I connected two monitors and they work fine in expansion mode, how can I make it so that it is not in expansion mode but a full-fledged second virtual desktop is displayed on the second one? as a last resort, at least duplicate the taskbar.

Work and play more efficiently on a computer with multiple monitors

Adding a Second Monitor for a Laptop

Since every laptop contains a built-in screen, you only need to connect one monitor to use two screens. This is easy since most laptops come with a video port. (Unlike desktop computers, two video ports are rare on laptops.) Connect a monitor to a DVI or VGA port, and Windows 7 will automatically detect it. As described above, you may need an adapter to connect a DVI cable to a VGA port (or vice versa).

I connect the monitor to my laptop when I work at my desk and unplug it when I take my laptop on the go. In this case, you do not need to change any settings in Windows.

The Multiple Displays drop-down list appears when Windows detects multiple monitors connected to the same computer.

It's easy with Windows 7

When you connect two monitors to a desktop computer or one monitor to a laptop, Windows 7 should automatically detect each new monitor and provide options for multiple displays. You can choose one of the following:

Expansion of screens. This will stretch one desktop across both monitors, allowing you to drag and drop items between the two screens. This is how most users set up dual monitors and is the default setting.

Screen duplication. Selecting this option will display one desktop on two monitors. For a laptop, this is the default setting. It is convenient to use during a presentation on a laptop connected to a projector or large monitor.

Display the desktop on only one monitor. This option is most often used on a laptop if you want to leave its screen blank after connecting it to a large desktop monitor.

To find these options, click the Start button, select Control Panel, type "screen" in the search box, and then under Screen, click Connecting to an external display. For more information, see

Who tried to work in Windows 8 on a regular computer, not on a tablet and without a touchscreen? I tried. I deployed it on a virtual machine and honestly tried to live with it. I thought I’d take an upgrade to Windows 8 on sale for $40 while they were still offering it. But based on the testing results, I didn’t take it even at such a bargain price. You can't live with this nightmare.

I assume that Windows 8 will have its place on tablets, especially on transformers (a laptop with a removable tablet screen). I can’t confirm anything, I haven’t tried it myself. Also, probably, the eight will be interesting on a computer with a touchscreen, although personally I don’t see any interest in a touchscreen worker computer with any operating system. What's so fun about holding your arms up? But what I am quite sure of is that the new interface (which was once called Metro) is completely unsuitable for a regular work computer. For example, here a small overview of the new interface, not particularly abusive (caution, ).

People have already caught up, and there are many ways to cut out a new interface from Windows 8 so that it does not interfere with work. So to speak, make a seven out of an eight. But why do I need all this gambling if I already have a seven? For the sake of new features that are not in the seven? There are not very many of them, and they are not critical. So I'm sticking with Windows 7. Maybe Microsoft will work out the bugs and the next version will be worth upgrading to. Anything is possible, although personally I have little faith in it. Well, it will be nice if I turn out to be a pessimist...

Let me get from the lyrics to the point: there is one feature that is present in Windows 8, but not in Windows 7, and which I personally really miss. Seven supports multiple monitors, but the taskbar is displayed only on the main monitor. Eight can show the taskbar on all monitors, and window buttons will be on the same monitors as the windows themselves. It's MUCH more convenient. To be honest, I never even thought about this option; I was used to the “wrong” one. This is the inertia of thinking. But as soon as I saw it, I immediately wanted it for myself. I cast a net on the Internet and found several commercial programs and one free one. I stopped at the last one: . Not without some rough edges (which is natural in this case), but overall it works great. In addition to the main purpose, it can also duplicate the tray on a second monitor (tray, notifications area - icons near the clock). It can also automatically transfer windows to the second monitor - this is very valuable. The limitation is that it only supports one additional monitor. For me personally, this is not a problem, I have two of them and it’s worth it.

I installed this program, configured it, and now I have no desire to switch to Windows 8 at all.

Upd. Recently the program was updated, and now Dual Monitor Taskbar supports more than two monitors.