EASY TIPS for Beginners! - Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2, by FishBee Productions on YouTube. 9 min 24 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 24 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Open Settings and go to Display. Look for a Desktop mode, PC mode or Workstation mode entry and turn it on if your tablet shows one.
If there is no such switch, open Settings, tap About tablet, then tap Build number seven times until the tablet says you are a developer.
Go back to the main Settings page and open System, then Developer options.
Find Force desktop mode or Enable desktop mode in the list and switch it on.
Restart the tablet so the new window manager loads.
Plug a USB-C to HDMI adapter into the tablet and connect it to a monitor, or pair a keyboard and mouse over Bluetooth.
Open a few apps and drag their title bars to resize and arrange windows side by side.
Use the taskbar at the bottom to switch between open apps, and drag the divider to change split-screen sizes.
Tips and common mistakes
Desktop mode uses more battery and memory, so close apps you are not using.
Some apps still open in a phone-style layout because they have not been updated for large screens.
Keep a mouse handy, since some windows are awkward to resize by touch alone.
A system update can reset Developer options, so check the toggle again after updating.
Questions
Can I use desktop mode without an external monitor?
Yes. The tablet screen shows the taskbar and free-floating windows on its own. A monitor just gives you more room.
Why can't I find a desktop mode setting?
Lenovo puts the switch in different places depending on the model and software version. If Display has nothing, use the Developer options route instead.
Does desktop mode delete my home screen layout?
No. Turning it off returns you to the normal tablet layout, and your apps stay installed.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
