Share Your Screen Wirelessly: Casting to Another Windows PC

Ever needed to show something on your Windows 11 computer to someone at their computer? Instead of crowding around one screen, Windows 11 lets you send your screen to another PC wirelessly. It’s like a built-in wireless projector. This is great for quick demos, working together, or sharing a funny video. Let’s learn how to set it up.

Step 1: Get the Receiving PC Ready

Before you can send your screen, the computer you’re sending it *to* needs to be ready to receive. Think of this as setting up the “inbox” for your screen.

Turn on the Wireless Display Feature

This is the most important step for the PC that will *receive* the screen. If it doesn’t have this, it can’t accept a wireless screen.

• On the Windows 11 PC you want to project to, click the Start button.
• Select Settings (the gear icon).
• In Settings, click System on the left.
• Scroll down and click Optional features. This is where you add extra Windows tools.
• Under “Add an optional feature,” click View features.
• A search box will appear. Type Wireless Display.
• You should see “Wireless Display” in the list. Put a checkmark next to it.
• Click Next, then click Install.

Windows will now download and install what it needs. This might take a minute or two. You’ll see a progress bar.

Set Up Projection Settings

Once “Wireless Display” is installed, you need to tell Windows how your PC should act when someone tries to project to it. You do this in the “Projecting to this PC” settings.

• After installation, go back to Settings > System.
• Scroll down and click Projecting to this PC.
• Here, you’ll see options. The main one is “Some Windows and Android devices can project to this PC when you tell them to.” You can choose if it’s available Everywhere or only On the same network (this is safer).
• You can also choose if your PC needs a PIN to connect. It’s a good idea to use a PIN if you’re in a public place.

Tip: For the best results, make sure both computers are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Start the Wireless Display App

Even with the feature installed, it’s good to have the Wireless Display app open on the receiving PC. This makes sure it’s ready to accept connections.

• On the receiving PC, click the Search icon on your taskbar (it looks like a magnifying glass).
• Type Wireless Display.
• Click on the Wireless Display app when it shows up.

The app will open. It might say your PC is ready to connect wirelessly. It might even show your PC’s name, which is what the sending computer will look for.

Important Note: The Wireless Display app is built into Windows 11, version 22H2 and newer. If you have an older version, you might need the “Connect” app. To check your version, go to Settings > System > About and look under “Windows specifications.” If you need the Connect app, search for Connect in the taskbar search and open it.

Step 2: Connect Your 🪟 Windows 11 PC

Now that the receiving PC is ready, it’s time to start sending your screen from the other PC.

Start the Cast

Windows 11 has a quick way to open screen casting options.

• On the Windows 11 PC you want to project from, press the Windows key + K together.
• A Cast or Connect panel will slide out from the right side of your screen.
• This panel will look for wireless displays on your network.
• Find the name of the PC you set up in Step 1. It should be in the list.
• Click the name of the receiving PC.

Your PC will try to connect. You might see “Connecting…” If you set up a PIN on the receiving PC, you’ll be asked to type it in on the sending PC now.

Another Way: Use Display Settings

If the Windows key + K shortcut doesn’t work, or you prefer using menus, you can start the cast from Display settings.

• On the PC you’re projecting from, right-click on your desktop and choose Display settings.
• Scroll down to the Multiple displays section.
• Click Connect to a wireless display.
• Windows will look for devices. Pick the name of the PC you want to connect to.

Warning: If you can’t find the PC you want to project to, check these things: Is its Wi-Fi on? Is the Wireless Display app open? Are both PCs on the same network? Sometimes, restarting the Wireless Display app on the receiving PC can help it show up.

Step 3: Choose How to Show Your Screen

Once connected, your screen will appear on the other PC. But what do you want to show? Windows has different ways to manage your displays.

Understanding Display Modes

You can choose to show your whole desktop, just one app, or extend your screen. This is done with the “Project” menu.

• Press the Windows key + P on your keyboard.
• A menu will pop up on the right side of your screen with these options:
  • PC screen only: Shows your screen only on your main monitor.
  • Duplicate: Shows the same thing on both screens. Good for presentations.
  • Extend: Makes the receiving PC an extra screen for your computer. You can drag windows between them.
  • Second screen only: Turns off your main screen and only shows on the receiving PC.

Tip: If you use “Extend,” move your mouse cursor off the edge of your main screen to control the cursor on the receiving PC. This lets you use apps or choose content on the other screen.

Step 4: Stop Sharing Your Screen

When you’re done sharing, it’s important to disconnect properly.

• Press the Windows key + K again.
• In the Cast panel, you’ll see the name of the PC you’re connected to.
• Click the Disconnect button next to its name.

You can also disconnect through Display settings:

• Right-click on your desktop and choose Display settings.
• Scroll down to the Multiple displays section.
• Click Disconnect next to the name of the wireless display.

The connection will end, and your screen will stop showing on the other PC.

Summary

Sending your Windows 11 screen to another Windows PC wirelessly is a useful feature for working together. By setting up the receiving PC and knowing how to connect and manage the display, you can easily share your work or anything else. No more crowding around one screen; just connect, share, and disconnect easily.