Windows 7 Starter Edition - multiple monitors
I am thinking of buying a netbook with Windows7 Starter Edition. I've read up on the limitations and can live with most of them. However, I am unsure about the lack of multiple monitor support. What exactly does this mean? Does it mean that I can't extend the desktop onto an external display, and, say have a different program open on each screen, or does it prevent me from cloning the netbook screen onto an external video source such as a projector? If the former, then I'll definitely buy it; if the latter, then it won't work for me, because I can't use it to run PowerPoint presentations.Many thanks in advance if anyone can clarify.Gary
October 21st, 2009 12:09pm

Hi, What you need to look out for is VGA connection on the laptop which is usedin connectingto an external display. Slan go foill, Paul
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October 21st, 2009 12:39pm

Paul,Thanks for your reply. However, I'd realised that I needed the physical connection. The issue is that Windows 7 Starter Edition has a limitation of not allowing multiple monitors. My query is what this means: is it that you can't have dual screens (i.e. two desktops) or that you can't have a cloned display of both screens showing the same thing?Gary
October 21st, 2009 4:19pm

Hi, I have tried to find out more, but there is very little info about the starter version, most are recommending Home Edition. For youI would think the business or Pro versions maybe more useful. Slan go foill, Paul
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October 21st, 2009 5:01pm

I am thinking of buying a netbook with Windows7 Starter Edition. I've read up on the limitations and can live with most of them. However, I am unsure about the lack of multiple monitor support. What exactly does this mean? Does it mean that I can't extend the desktop onto an external display, and, say have a different program open on each screen, or does it prevent me from cloning the netbook screen onto an external video source such as a projector? If the former, then I'll definitely buy it; if the latter, then it won't work for me, because I can't use it to run PowerPoint presentations. Many thanks in advance if anyone can clarify. Gary The Starter Edition is extremely limited and is intended to be used with ultra low cost netbooks. Its intended to stave off Linux. If your netbook has an external VGA, the hardware will switch to that as the primary display. It will not use both. Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe Server: IBM PC 300GL, Pentium III 667, Linux Server, has a 137GB disk limit, making it useless for upgrading my chess site Workstation: Asus M2NBP-VM CSM motherboard, AMD 4200+ 65W CPU, 2GB RAM, ATI x600, 320GB storage with 160GB for backups, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Signature Edition.
October 22nd, 2009 4:44am

I just purchased a netbook with Windows 7 starter that has an external monitor port. I didn't realize that multiple monitor feature was not available in Windows 7 when I purchased it. When I plugged in the external monitor, I was able to move my desktop to the external monitor with the built in monitor turned off, or I was able to use both monitors together as a mirror image of one another, but it prevented me from extending my desktop to the external monitor. I'm now wondering why I didn't purchase the cheaper netbook that came with Windows XP and came with multiple monitor capability out of the box. Also, the comment above about the Windows 7 Starter edition trying to compete with Linux doesn't seem to be true, because Linux allows you to extend your desktop, while Windows 7 Starter edition does not. I believe Windows Vista had multiple editions too.... seems like Windows 7 is going down the same path that Vista did. Guess MS didn't learn from their mistakes. Just got to say this... Windows 7 wasn't my idea and I'm damn proud of it!
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November 21st, 2009 5:51pm

This feature is enabled in all versions of windows except starter editions. Windows Starter, Vista Starter, XP Starter. Thats why i hate my Netbook With 7 starter, too many limitations i must upgrade or downgrade to vista pro, home, or premium. I dont understand why windows would even make starter you cant even change your desktop background. Starter is so bad that in the US and Canada the only way you can get it is by buying a Netbook. You cant buy a copy of starter.
April 10th, 2010 4:47pm

you can change your background with no bad effects using oceanis program its smooth and seemless but yes you can only clone both displays,windows starter 7 im in the process of switching to linux ubuntu its a little different but simular and both my laptops are faster and run 40percent cooler and the os is free i have dual boot on both and so far works well i even put it on my netbook
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May 17th, 2010 6:17pm

I just bought a netbook with Windows 7 starter edition and had no problem changing my desktop background. I do however hate the fact that it doesn't support extending your desktop in dual monitor display, allowing only a mirror image.
September 29th, 2010 12:13pm

if youhave a credit card you can update to home premium or windows 7 professional using the "windows upgrade anytime" program in your start menu, i believe they both support extended desktop or monitor usage. hope this helps
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January 31st, 2011 9:03am

What a terrible OS!!!! I spent over an hour, thinking I had an issue with my onboard video card overriding my PCI card. I can't believe Windows Starter doesn't offer extended display. What garbage.
April 12th, 2011 6:40am

Its not a Windows problem but the way the hardware was designed. My MVP is for the Windows Desktop Experience, i.e. Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 IT Remote Assistance is available for a fee. I am best with C++ and I am learning C# using Visual Studio 2010 Developer | Windows IT | Chess | Economics | Hardcore Games | Vegan Advocate | PC Reviews
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April 12th, 2011 6:43am

Hi everyone I was in the same boat I have a gateway netbook and I wanted to extend my monitor. I happened to have ubuntu on my netbook as well I just used ubuntu to extend my monitor it took about 2 min to figure it out , I didn't bother with the windows 7 starter limitations, its just a waste of time. Although if you have the money you can upgrade to the next version of windows that supports extending your monitor.
August 30th, 2011 9:48am

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