The following steps will show you how to quickly turn off your Windows PC display while keeping your external display running. This setting allows you to choose whether to keep your Windows desktop running on a single display, being duplicated on both built-in and external displays, or using the external display as an extension of your desktop from your computer. Windows computers let you customize your primary and secondary display when working with external displays. Turn off laptop screen when using external monitor windows 10 Downside of closing laptop while using external screen.