Using a Windows SideShow-compatible device

Two primary types of devices are compatible with Windows SideShow:

• Devices that are integrated into your computer. Examples include small color displays that are embedded in the lid of a laptop, and monochrome displays that are embedded in a desktop computer keyboard.

• Devices that are separate from your computer. Examples include dedicated displays, such as a wireless LCD in a separate room from your computer, and other devices, such as mobile phones and TVs that have Windows SideShow capabilities.

To determine whether your device is compatible with Windows SideShow, look for the Windows SideShow logo on your device, check the information that came with your device, or go to the manufacturer’s website. For more information, go to the Windows SideShow website.

Laptop with an embedded Windows SideShow-compatible display

If you use a device that's separate from your computer, you must install the device to use it with Windows SideShow. To learn more about how to install a device, check the information that came with your device or go to the manufacturer’s website.

You can change your device settings in Windows SideShow in Control Panel. Depending on your device, you might be able to change:

• Screen appearance and behavior. Choose a theme, change the language, select a screen time-out, and adjust the brightness.

• Security and privacy. Choose to lock the device after a period of inactivity, enter a personal identification number (PIN), and delete information about the device when you log off from Windows.

• And more. Your device manufacturer might provide additional settings that you can customize.

You decide what information appears on your Windows SideShow-compatible devices by installing gadgets, or add-in programs. To find gadgets online, go to the Windows SideShow website. After you install a gadget, you must turn on the gadget in Windows SideShow in Control Panel. For more information, see Turn a gadget on or off for a Windows SideShow-compatible device.

Gadgets appear on your device in the order in which you installed them. To view gadgets that are installed on your device, to download and install more gadgets, or to change the order of gadgets on your device, go to Windows SideShow in Control Panel.

Open Windows Sideshow by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking Windows SideShow.

Notes

• Some gadgets might have been installed and turned on by your device manufacturer, in which case they might not appear in Control Panel.

• Some gadgets are made for a specific Windows SideShow-compatible device and might not be compatible with the device that you're using.

To keep information current while your computer is sleeping, your computer must be awakened periodically to update information on your device. After several minutes, your computer returns to sleep. To set Windows Vista to automatically wake your computer, see Keep information current on a Windows SideShow-compatible device.