Add and Remove Devices

There are many different ways to manage your computer, including battery settings and adding or removing devices connected to your computer. You can access a wireless display or audio device, such as a Bluetooth speaker, from the Action Center.

Controlling Your Battery

You can control your battery usage in order to preserve battery life if you're not near a charger. This can be accomplished by adjusting which apps run in the background.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Click the Settings button.
   

   Settings categories appear.

3. Click Privacy.
   

   Privacy settings and options for app access appear.

4. Choose Background apps.
5. Toggle an app on or off.
   

When you toggle an app off, it doesn't receive or send notifications and updates.

Add a Wireless Display or Audio Device

You may find that you need to add a wireless display or audio device to your computer.

1. Click the Action Center icon.
2. Choose Connect.

   Press + K to open the Connect App.

   

   Your computer searches for nearby wireless devices.

3. Choose the appropriate device.
   

Add Another Type of Device

Typically, a device automatically connects when it's physically plugged into your computer. If you have a device that isn't connected, such as a printer or scanner, you can easily add it to your computer.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Click the Settings button.
   

   Settings categories appear.

3. Click Devices.

   If the desired settings don't appear, view the Related settings for links to the Control Panel and administrative tools.

   

   The list includes options for viewing devices currently plugged into your computer: changing the mouse and touchpad, typing, and autoplay.

4. Click Printers & scanners.

   Your printers and scanners appear.

5. Click Add a printer or scanner.
   

   Your computer searches for a printer or scanner.

6. Click Add device for the printer you wish to add.
   

Your printer is connected.

Remove a Device

If you're finished with a device, or need to replace a device, you can remove a device from your computer to make room for the new one.

1. Choose an option from the Devices list, and then select a device.
2. Click Remove device.
3. Confirm the removal by clicking Yes.
   

Customize Your Computer Display

If you have multiple computer monitors, you can customize which monitor displays content and how content is displayed.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Click the Settings button.
   

   Settings categories appear.

3. Click System.
   
4. Choose Display.

   Press + P to view your multiple display (second screen) options.

   Display, notifications, power, and storage settings appear.

5. Configure your computer monitor display settings according to your specifications.
   • Identify: Click to view primary and secondary monitors. Click a monitor to switch priority.
   • Detect: Click to search for an additional monitor.
   • Orientation: Change your monitor orientation.
   • Multiple displays: Choose how your monitors display content.