I'm using two monitors in extended-display mode on Windows 11. My desktop icons and shortcuts only appear on the primary monitor, but I want convenient access to the same applications from either screen while still displaying different windows on each monitor. Is there a way to duplicate the desktop shortcuts, or should I use another Windows feature?
2 Answers
If you specifically want shortcuts available from both desktops, you can create or copy shortcuts for the apps and place them where you need them. That said, the taskbar on each monitor is usually the cleaner solution: pin the applications there and launch them from whichever screen you’re using.
For separate content on each monitor, keep the displays set to Extend rather than Duplicate. Windows doesn’t natively show two independent copies of the desktop icon layout, but you can pin your frequently used applications to the taskbar. In Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors, set “When using multiple displays, show my taskbar apps on” to show them on all taskbars.
I don’t want duplicated displays—I need to keep different windows on each monitor. I was asking about duplicating the desktop wallpaper and app shortcuts, not mirroring the whole screen.