Windows 11 is about to get a lot better on multi-monitor setups

Image of the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3423DWF).
(Image credit: Windows Central | Zachary Boddy)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft released Windows 11 Build 25915 to Insiders in the Canary Channel recently.
  • The update is relatively small, but it includes a change that will improve the experience when using multiple monitors.
  • Following the update, Windows 11 supports having separate monitors set to different refresh rates depending on what appears on each screen.

Multi-monitor setups make it easier to multitask at your desk, and Microsoft is working to improve that experience. Last week, the company shipped Windows 11 Build 25915 to Insiders in the Canary Channel. That update brought a couple of changes, including the ability to have monitors run at different refresh rates depending on what appears on each screen.

The change seems ideal for people with a pair of the best gaming monitors or that do different types of tasks across their displays.

"We have improved refresh rate logic to allow different refresh rates on different monitors, depending on the refresh rate for each monitor and content shown on the screen. This will help most with refresh rate-dependent multitasking, like playing a game and watching a video at the same time," explained Microsoft.

The new functionality should free up system resources in certain situations. For example, if you're watching a video of a gaming tutorial on one screen and playing your game on another, Windows 11 could adjust the refresh rates of the respective displays accordingly. There's no need to match a video that's 30 FPS with gameplay that's at a higher figure.

The same Insider build includes a change to how Dynamic Refresh Rate works when Battery saver is turned on. The feature will keep your screen at a lower refresh rate to save battery life.

We covered the other changes and improvements in Windows 11 Build 25915 last week, including the new Outlook for Windows continuing to roll out to Insiders.

In the same blog post it announced the new build, Microsoft shared that a Bug Bash will kick off on August 2, 2023.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 930, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.