How to Use Old Laptop as Second Monitor with SpaceDesk | FREE Method (Windows 10/11), by Zeyro XP on YouTube. 6 min 21 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 21 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Download the spacedesk Driver from the official spacedesk website and install it on your main Windows PC. Pick the Windows 10/11 version that matches your system, then restart if the installer asks.
Install the spacedesk Viewer app on the old laptop. Get it from the Microsoft Store or the spacedesk download page. Both parts are free.
Connect both laptops to the same network. A wired connection on the main PC is fine as long as the old laptop joins the same router over Wi-Fi.
Open the viewer on the old laptop. It scans the network and lists available servers by name and IP address. Tap your main PC in the list.
Wait a few seconds for the connection. The old laptop now shows your PC screen. Press Windows + P on the main PC and choose Extend so the second screen gets its own desktop.
Right-click the desktop on the main PC and open Display settings. Drag the monitor icons so they match where the laptops actually sit, then set resolution and orientation for the second screen.
Tune performance in the spacedesk settings if the picture stutters. Lower the resolution or colour depth, or switch to a USB cable connection for a steadier link.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network or a USB cable between the two laptops, since 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi often causes lag and mouse delay.
Allow spacedesk through Windows Firewall on the main PC and mark the network as private, or the viewer will never find the server.
Set the old laptop to stay awake and plugged in, otherwise it sleeps mid-session and the second screen drops out.
Expect fine results for browsing, chat and OBS, but fast games will feel delayed because the image travels over the network.
Questions
Is spacedesk really free?
Yes. The Windows driver and the viewer app are free to download and use at home. No monitor or capture card is needed.
Does the old laptop need to be powerful?
No. It only displays the image, so almost any Windows laptop that runs the viewer app will work. The main PC does the actual processing.
Why can't the viewer find my PC?
Usually the two devices are on different networks or the firewall is blocking the driver. Check both are on the same router and allow spacedesk on private networks.
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.
