Introduction: How to Use Windows Laptop As Monitor for Raspberry Pi

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If you are watching this tutorial, then you must know about Raspberry Pi and its use. So without making more delay let's start this Instructable. But before that, we want to clarify something:

  • We have used Raspbian OS in this case.
  • It is one of the many ways by which you can get the same result. So if you don't feel comfortable you can use other methods also. Please let me know the process in which you are comfortable in.
  • The software we have used is available on the internet and found these very helpful and easy to use. Feel free to tell me what are the other software that can be used.
  • The whole process will take about 2-3 minutes, though it mainly depends on your internet connection speed.
  • We have also made three other Instructables about the following topics based on Raspberry PI -
  1. How to install Operating System in Raspberry Pi. - https://www.instructables.com/id/HOW-TO-INSTALL-RAS..

  2. How to use android device as a monitor for Raspberry Pi. - https://www.instructables.com/id/HOW-TO-USE-ANDROID...

  3. How to use Linux based laptop as Raspberry Pi monitor - https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Use-Your-Li...

  4. How to use iOS devices as a monitor of Raspberry Pi - https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Use-Ios-Dev...

Check these out if you are interested.

We have a separate video demonstrating the whole process. Here's the link:

Step 1: Install Operating System in Pi

You can skip this step if you have installed the OS already in the Pi.If yes then go to step 2 or else look the complete OS installing instructions in this link that I uploaded.

https://www.instructables.com/id/HOW-TO-INSTALL-RAS...

Step 2: Download Required Apps

Download and install required software -

  1. PUTTY (Download link - http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty...)
  2. VNC Viewer (Download link - https://www.realvnc.com/download/viewer/)

Install these apps.

Step 3: Power Up Pi and Connect With Router

Connect USB power adapter to your Pi (5V-2A recommended).

Connect the Ethernet port of Pi to the LAN port of your router.

Step 4: Find Your Raspberry Pi IP Address

  1. Open your browser.
  2. Go to your router IP (for me, it was 192.168.0.1. You can find it on the router sticker.)
  3. Login to your router settings.
  4. Search for LAN ports.
  5. Find Raspberry Pi in the list and note the IP address (for me, it was 198.162.0.105.)

Step 5: Create SSH Connection With Your Pi

Open Putty software.

  1. Type in the ip address of raspberry pi (192.168.0.105).
  2. Click on open.
  3. Type in "pi" as username and "raspberry" as password.
  4. Now you are logged in to your PI.
  5. Type in the command - "sudo apt-get install tightvncserver" (Exclude " ")
  6. When installation is completed again type "tightvncserver" and return.
  7. It will ask for a password. Give the password and give it again to verify. Remember the password.
  8. Note down the desktop number. Here it is 1.

Look at the screenshots for reference.

Step 6: Use VNC Viewer to View Pi Screen in Your Windows Laptop

Open VNC Viewer software.

Type in the IP address of raspberry pi with the desktop number like this - 192.168.0.105:1

1 is the desktop number and 192.168.0.105 is the IP address of the raspberry pi.

For you, it will be different.

Click on connect. If any security warning comes ignore that and continue. This is not harmful, so relax.

After that, the app will ask that password which you have given in the last step. Give that and continue.

BINGO!! Now you are on the monitor of your raspberry.

So that's it. If you face any error or any difficulty in completing the process, feel free to ask us in the comment.

Take a look at our Youtube channel 'Being Engineers' -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpB6R5qY3ZQt00C5K...

Peace! :)