By default, VNC Viewer will show all monitors connected to the remote computer. However, with VNC Viewer 7.1.0 and later, you can switch between monitors using the monitor icons on the toolbar at the top of a VNC session.
This feature can only be used on desktops (Windows, Mac and Linux) which are listed in our supported platforms and is not currently supported on mobile VNC Viewers.
You can choose to either select a particular monitor to view:
or cycle through monitors:
Please note, the selected monitor is not saved between sessions and will need to be selected each time you connect.
In earlier versions of VNC Viewer (6.20.113 to 7.0.1), this feature is available by pressing the the F8 key on your keyboard (or Fn + F8) and choosing "Select Monitor".
Switching between monitors during an On-Demand Assist session
Starting with VNC Viewer 7.1.0 and On-Demand Assist 2.1.0, technicians can switch between monitors during an On-Demand Assist session.
When connected to a device with multiple monitors, you can use the monitor icons in the toolbar at the top of the session to select a particular monitor to view:
or cycle through monitors:
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?
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)
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?
Hi Christian,
This isn't currently possible but I will add your vote on our feature request system. Have a great day!
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)
Was 'Select Monitor' removed? I am using versions past the mentioned versions and the option is not in the 'F8' menu.
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
Hi Jared,
This isn't possible currently so I will open a feature request on your behalf
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.
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!
I found a workaround. Display Fusion.
https://superuser.com/a/1188573/514658
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
It was great until they break it again and again!!!
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
Can we simply have a default to display one monitor on initial connection, with an option in the realvnc toolbar to switch between views (eg monitor 1,2,1+2 or a toggle. I really like realvnc, but the default to display all monitors is frustrating and counter-productive. This really needs action. thanks!
Hi Tim,
We've just released VNC Viewer 7.1.0 which moves the monitor selection controls to the toolbar. The functionality under the hood is largely the same, but we have further improvements underway in this area! I don't have any timeframes I can share at this time, however.
Thanks,
Jack
This doesn't seem to relate to the Android client at all which looks very different in terms of interface and has a much more limited feature set. Am I right? Can you confirm and if so please update it. I don't see how I can switch between monitors on that client.
Hi Adam,
Monitor selection is currently only available when using VNC Viewer on a desktop platform.
Thanks,
Jack
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