Switching between multiple monitors

Follow

If you have VNC Viewer 6.20.113 (or later) and VNC Server 6.7.0 (or later) you can switch between multiple monitors attached to your VNC Server computer using the menu.

This feature can only be used on desktops (Windows, Mac and Linux) which are listed in our supported platforms and is not supported on mobile VNC Viewers. 

Once connected open the menu by using the F8 key on your keyboard (on a Mac keyboard, you may need to use Fn + F8) and chose the "Select Monitor" option. This will expand allowing you to select the monitor you want to view. By default VNC Viewer will show All Monitors.

mceclip0.png

Please note, this setting is not saved between sessions and will need to be reconfigured every time you connect.

Was this article helpful?
17 out of 62 found this helpful

Comments

14 comments
  • Is there a way to ONLY set ONE monitor as the viewable monitor, and not be able to select other monitors? Example, if you have 2 monitors, the main monitor and a 2nd monitor. Can you setup the server just for #2 and not allow the viewers to view the #1 main monitor?

    0
    Comment actions Permalink
  • Hi Thomas,

    Yes, you can do this by adjusting the applicable VNC Server parameter, shown below:

    Windows: DisplayDevice (https://help.realvnc.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002251297#server-displaydevice)
    Mac/Linux: Monitor (https://help.realvnc.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002251297#server-monitor)

    2
    Comment actions Permalink
  • Hi,

    I have a setup with 3 monitors (laptop + external monitors). I want to run the VNC viewer in full screen on 2 of the monitors, not one as in the example above. Is that possible? And if not, is it something that can be implemented?

    1
    Comment actions Permalink
  • Hi Christian,
    This isn't currently possible but I will add your vote on our feature request system. Have a great day!

    1
    Comment actions Permalink
  • Is there a way to set the setting to all monitors, and then disable the ability to modify the setting when you right-click the bar at the top of the VNC Viewer window? (there is a "Select Monitor" option - we'd like to have that setting restricted to force certain machines to use all monitors)

     

    0
    Comment actions Permalink
  • Was 'Select Monitor' removed? I am using versions past the mentioned versions and the option is not in the 'F8' menu.

    0
    Comment actions Permalink
  • Hi Steve,

    Select monitor is still available, but required VNC Server to be licensed with a Professional or Enterprise subscription. If you have a Professional or Enterprise subscription and still cannot see the option, please contact our Support team here: https://help.realvnc.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

    0
    Comment actions Permalink
  • Hi Jared,

    This isn't possible currently so I will open a feature request on your behalf

    0
    Comment actions Permalink
  • Did not know that. Thank you for answering that for me. Lucy's post is all I've found on the Multiple Monitor feature. But I over read that it is a paid member feature.

    0
    Comment actions Permalink
  • I would also like to (NEED to) run the VNC viewer in full screen on 2 of the 3 monitors (as mentioned above). My headless linux box has one double wide dummy monitor. I need to span it full screen across two of my monitors. Thanks for the help!

    0
    Comment actions Permalink
  • I found a workaround. Display Fusion.
    https://superuser.com/a/1188573/514658

    0
    Comment actions Permalink
  • Hi... the multi monitor support is great. Any possibility for some hot keys? F-8 8 (up on keypad) , f-8 4 (left on keypad) , f-8 6 (right on keypad), f-8 2 (down on keypad would keep the arrow keys free with "Num Lock" engaged... its time consuming to "f-8" and then drive a menu down w the mouse... Thanks -b

    0
    Comment actions Permalink
  • It was great until they break it again and again!!!

    0
    Comment actions Permalink
  • Hi Bogdan,

    Thanks for your comment, we're sorry to hear you've been having issues with this feature. We unfortunately did introduce a bug regarding this feature with VNC Server 7.0.0, which has now been resolved with the release of VNC Server 7.0.1.

    If you continue to experience any issues with your use of VNC Connect please don't hesitate to contact our support team here: https://help.realvnc.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

    Kind regards,

    Jack

    0
    Comment actions Permalink

Please sign in to leave a comment.