How To Run Laptop Computer While Closed With External Monitor Screen
By TurtleDog
Introduction
OK... you've got yourself a cool laptop PC computer to use while on the road. When you are home though, you have a much bigger and better computer monitor screen. You also have a wireless keyboard and mouse. When you are at home you want to continue using your laptop software and memory but you also want to set your laptop aside and not use the laptop screen.
The article will show you how to keep running your laptop while the lid is closed. You will still use all the great resources of the laptop but you'll have it shut and set to the side while your external monitor, keyboard and mouse do all the work.
This article is best suited for Windows 7 users but other versions might be close as well.
I also apologize in advance for my lousy pics :-) Hopefully they help!
Step 1
The first step to running your laptop with the lid closed is to Click on the "Start" button. For those of you new to Windows 7 this is the circular microsoft button on the lower left side of your screen.
Step 2
Then go ahead and select "Control Panel" in the window that appears to the side.
Step 3
Go to the section titled "Hardware and Sound." It is located about the middle left section of the control panel window. Click directly on the words "Hardware and Sound"
Step 4
In the "Hardware and Sound" window, look for the "Power Options" section. This is located about halfway down the window.
In the power options section, click on "Change What the Power Buttons Do"
Step 5
In the window that opens, look for the section titled "When I Close the Lid"
Next to this title you'll see two drop down boxes that by default will be set to "Sleep'.
Change the "On Battery" and / or "Plugged In" drop down boxes to "Do Nothing." Depending on which power source you want to use while using external monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Start Up PC Laptops With Screen Shut
- Power Up PC Laptop With Lid Closed
Is it possble to turn on a laptop computer with lid closed? I've got a couple ideas.
Step 6
Then finish by clicking the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the window.
That should do it. Now when you close the lid your laptop won't do anything when you close it. It will continue to run. Now you'll be able to use all the resources of the lap top (via your external keyboard, monitor and mouse) while it is shut.
If You Want to Combine Your Laptop Screen With Another Monitor or Use Two Monitors at Once....
- How To Use Two Monitor Screens On Your PC WIndows Computer
Whether you have a desktop computer with two monitors or a laptop with an external monitor attached you can easily run both monitors at once as if they are the same screen. You can move your mouse pointer...
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Step 7
Another screen might appear asking you what power plan you want to use. I just close this screen by hitting the close 'x' block. I haven't messed with this and so far haven't found a need to.
ALSO... when you close your laptop lid, your external monitor might go black for a second. Don't panic, it will come back on. It only does this temporarily.
Thanks so much for reading!
Comments
Thanks Prasetio30! I really appreciate your kind words. I really like this feature. Great for closing the computer temporarily to protect it (without shutting it off) and for external monitor use.
Thanks again!
Thanks Prasetio30! I really appreciate your kind words. I really like this feature. Great for closing the computer temporarily to protect it (without shutting it off) and for external monitor use.
Thanks again!
Thanks man,
It helps me a lot. Do Windows XP has similar option? I do not have XP computer yet to test but may need to work on that too.
Thank you Min! I am not sure if it works the same for Microsoft Windows XP either. Like you, I do not have an XP operating system to try it out on.
Sorry I can't be of more help on this one. Thanks for stopping by!
I want to use a laptop in place of a PC using my existing 22" monitor, keyboard and mouse because of space constraints. I was told today at PC world that there was no way to stop a laptop turning off or going into standby when the lid is closed!!
Thrilled to see it is possible so thanks for this post. I presume this will apply to any laptop using windows 7 - I am just worried that there might be brands who use their own power supply software and block windows as happens on my old Toshiba sattelite - any comment? Thanks.
Thanks for stopping by Hillob! I'd have to think that it would work for any laptop or notebook running on MS Windows 7. I can't say for sure though especially since I wasn't aware of the Toshiba issues. Just wondering out-loud if, on the Toshiba or systems with similar challenges if you can disable the power supply software and use MS as default. Total speculation on my part though as I've never attempted this. I currently run
mine off the HP Pavilion.
Thanks again for the very informative question
Thanks , really helped me out.
You are very welcome! Thanks
It was very helpful for Windows 7.
Many thanks,
Tamil.
great, but how do you power it back on with the lid closed, the lap top sitting under a monitor stand with the monitor on top.
This is late but is there a way to continue using wireless internet like this? I have a HPG62 closed except to turn it on and access my wireless provider. I hope there is help. Thanks.
@marian - Hi! I think there is a way to turn on your PC with the screen closd. It might involve a docking station though or simply using the 'sleep mode' on your PC. I linked an article on the right side my article above near the bottom of the post "Start Up PC laptops with lid shut" I hope it lends you some insight.
@steve... thanks for the question. I'm not sure I fully understand what you are asking but maybe it would help to explain how I use my PC closed. I used it closed, but on, both with my network router and plugged in. I use an external keyboard and external monitor. I'm able to access my internet via clicking on explorer or Mozzilla on my external screen.
I don't see why you couldn't use wireless internet but again, I might not be understanding the question. Thanks
Thanks, that was really helpful.
On my new Toshiba Satellite (running Windows 7) step 3 was different. No 'hardware and sound' but 'Power Options' took me to the same place.
Thanks again.
Thanks Andy!
Thanks man.. Your info was really helpful.. I ve been battling with this stuff for about 2 month .but now it over thanks to you man .. Thumbs up !!!
Thank Ayeni! I really appreciate the friendly comment. Glad you are running aOK now with screen shut.
You took a photo of your monitor...?
You do know of the printscreen function right?
I did! Thanks for visiting my post. I hope it helped to keep your PC up and running with the top down. Thanks again.
Thanks a lot! My wife was given a new work laptop so I want to use her old one to surf the web on our tv. Now I can just slip it in among the components and let it run to use it whenever we need it!
Thanks Bottlegstan for stopping by! Appreciate it. Glad it will help
Thx TurtleDog great job.. now i know how to keep my laptop lid closed whenever i am using a wireless keyboard with big screen tv !!
Glad you stopped by and letting us know this helps you computer stay on with the top hatch shut :-) Thanks for reading!
Thank you! Just the information I needed.
Thanks Janet! Glad this fix worked for you! Appreciate it.
Thanks TurtleDog! it helps me a lot..
You're welcome Lalbabu! Glad you got that computer to stay on while the lid is down.
prasetio30 16 months ago
Good information, my friend. I always learn about something new every time I visit your hub. Good work and I love to follow your tips. Happy New Year. Take care!
Prasetio:)