Skip to main content
Virtual Display Driver enables powerful workflows for VR and mixed reality by providing virtual monitors that can be accessed from within VR environments or used for additional display outputs.

​
Overview

Virtual displays are particularly useful in VR scenarios because they allow you to:
  • Display external content in your VR headset without physical monitors
  • Create overlay dashboards for monitoring system stats, chat, or streaming controls
  • Extend desktop applications into VR space for productivity workflows
  • Stream to virtual monitors that can be captured independently from your VR view
VDD works seamlessly with most VR platforms including SteamVR, Oculus, and Windows Mixed Reality.

​
VR Overlay Applications

Many VR overlay applications can display content from virtual monitors within your VR environment.

​
Common VR Overlay Tools

OVR Toolkit

Desktop overlay for SteamVR with support for multiple virtual displays

XSOverlay

Advanced overlay system with notification support and window management

Desktop+

Full desktop mirroring and interaction within VR space

OVR Advanced Settings

SteamVR utility with display management features

​
Setting Up VR Overlays

1

Create a dedicated virtual display

Configure a virtual monitor specifically for your VR overlay content:
<monitors>
  <count>1</count>
</monitors>
<resolutions>
  <resolution>
    <width>1920</width>
    <height>1080</height>
    <refresh_rate>60</refresh_rate>
  </resolution>
</resolutions>
Place this configuration in C:\VirtualDisplayDriver\vdd_settings.xml.
2

Position the virtual display

In Windows display settings:
  1. Open Settings > System > Display
  2. Identify your virtual monitor (usually labeled as “Generic PnP Monitor”)
  3. Position it to the side of your primary display
  4. Click Apply
Position the virtual display in an easily accessible location. You’ll often need to drag windows to it.
3

Configure your VR overlay application

In your VR overlay software:
  • Select the virtual display as the source
  • Adjust size and position within VR space
  • Set opacity and curvature preferences
  • Configure interaction settings (gaze, controller)
4

Optimize for VR use

For the best experience:
  • Use 60Hz refresh rate to minimize GPU overhead
  • Keep resolution at 1920×1080 or lower for performance
  • Disable HDR on the virtual display (not needed for overlays)
  • Close unnecessary applications on the virtual display

​
Streaming Dashboard Setup

Create a dedicated streaming dashboard visible in VR while you stream or record.
  1. Top section: Stream chat and viewer count
  2. Middle section: OBS preview or streaming software status
  3. Bottom section: System monitoring (CPU, GPU, temps)

​
Configuration Example

1

Set custom resolution for dashboard

Create a vertical or ultrawide virtual display optimized for dashboard content:
<resolution>
  <width>1920</width>
  <height>1080</height>
  <refresh_rate>60</refresh_rate>
</resolution>
Or for ultrawide dashboard:
<resolution>
  <width>2560</width>
  <height>1080</height>
  <refresh_rate>60</refresh_rate>
</resolution>
2

Arrange dashboard applications

Move these applications to your virtual display:
  • Streaming software: OBS, Streamlabs, or similar
  • Chat applications: Twitch chat, Discord, YouTube chat
  • Monitoring tools: MSI Afterburner, HWiNFO, Task Manager
  • Music/media controls: Spotify, media players
3

Display in VR

Using your VR overlay application:
  1. Create a new overlay window
  2. Select your virtual display as the source
  3. Position it in an accessible location (e.g., wrist-mounted or floating panel)
  4. Adjust transparency so it doesn’t obstruct your VR view

​
Mixed Reality Content Creation

Virtual displays can enhance mixed reality content production workflows.

​
Use Cases

  • Reference material: Display scripts, notes, or reference images while recording
  • Live monitoring: View camera feeds or capture preview in real-time
  • Collaboration: Share screens with remote team members
  • Multi-angle capture: Different virtual displays for different camera perspectives

​
Production Workflow

1

Create multiple virtual displays

Configure multiple monitors for different purposes:
<monitors>
  <count>3</count>
</monitors>
This creates three independent virtual displays.
2

Assign roles to each display

  • Display 1: Reference material and scripts
  • Display 2: Capture preview and recording software
  • Display 3: Communication tools and monitoring
3

Position for optimal workflow

Arrange displays in Windows settings in a logical layout:
[Reference] [Primary] [Capture]
                      [Comms]
4

Access in VR

Use VR overlay software to display each virtual monitor as needed:
  • Pin reference material to a fixed location
  • Show capture preview on demand
  • Keep communication tools in peripheral vision

​
Performance Optimization for VR

VR applications are GPU-intensive, so optimizing your virtual displays is critical.

​
Best Practices

Virtual displays for overlays don’t need high specs:
  • Resolution: Use 1920×1080 or 1280×720
  • Refresh rate: 60Hz is sufficient for most overlays
  • Color depth: Disable 10-bit color if enabled
Lower specifications reduce GPU memory usage and rendering overhead.
Each virtual display consumes resources:
  • Use only the monitors you actively need
  • Disable unused virtual displays in Device Manager
  • Consider using a single ultrawide display instead of multiple smaller ones
Edit vdd_settings.xml to disable features you don’t need:
<colour>
  <SDR10bit>false</SDR10bit>
  <HDRPlus>false</HDRPlus>
</colour>
<cursor>
  <HardwareCursor>true</HardwareCursor>
</cursor>
<logging>
  <logging>false</logging>
  <debuglogging>false</debuglogging>
</logging>
If you have multiple GPUs:
  • Assign VDD to a secondary GPU if available
  • Keep VR rendering on your primary/most powerful GPU
  • Monitor GPU usage to ensure balanced load
Configure GPU selection in vdd_settings.xml:
<gpu>
  <friendlyname>NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660</friendlyname>
</gpu>

​
Troubleshooting VR Scenarios

Solution:
  1. Verify the virtual display is enabled in Windows display settings
  2. Ensure the display is extended, not duplicated
  3. Restart your VR overlay application
  4. Check that the virtual display has the correct resolution
  5. Try moving a window to the virtual display to confirm it’s active
Solution:
  • Reduce virtual display resolution to 1280×720 or lower
  • Lower refresh rate to 30Hz or 60Hz
  • Close applications running on the virtual display
  • Disable hardware cursor if you experience rendering issues
  • Check GPU usage in Task Manager
Solution:
  1. Move any window to the virtual display to activate it
  2. Ensure the display is not sleeping (move mouse to it)
  3. Check Windows power settings - disable display sleep
  4. Verify the overlay software has permission to capture displays
  5. Try creating a new overlay window pointing to the virtual display
Solution:
  • Increase the virtual display resolution
  • Ensure Windows scaling is set to 100% on the virtual display
  • Adjust clarity settings in your VR overlay software
  • Use native resolution content when possible
  • Check that GPU scaling is disabled

​
Advanced VR Workflows

​
Multi-User Collaboration

Use virtual displays to share content with remote collaborators while in VR:
  1. Create a virtual display for shared content
  2. Use screen sharing software (Discord, Teams, Parsec) to broadcast the virtual display
  3. Access the shared display as an overlay in VR
  4. Remote users see your shared content while you work in VR

​
VR Development and Testing

Virtual displays are invaluable for VR developers:
  • Debug console: Display Unity or Unreal Engine console output
  • Performance metrics: Show FPS, frame timing, and profiler data
  • Code editor: Keep your IDE accessible while testing in VR
  • Documentation: Reference API docs and tutorials

​
VR Presentations and Demos

Enhance VR presentations with virtual displays:
  • Speaker notes: Display presentation notes visible only to you
  • Audience view: Monitor what your audience sees on their screens
  • Timer and agenda: Keep track of time and presentation flow
  • Q&A feed: Display audience questions from chat or forms
For presentation scenarios, consider using two virtual displays: one for your private notes and controls, and another for public-facing content.

Configure Resolutions

Learn how to set custom resolutions for optimal VR overlay performance

Multi-GPU Setup

Assign virtual displays to specific GPUs for better performance

PowerShell Scripts

Automate display switching and configuration for VR sessions

Troubleshooting

Resolve common issues with virtual displays

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Get started for freeTalk to us