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You can connect other devices to your Surface Hub to display content. This article describes Replacement PC Mode, Guest Mode, and Video Out functionality available through wired connections and lists accessories you can connect to Surface Hub using Bluetooth.
Tip
Surface Hub uses the selected video input until a new connection is made, the existing connection is disrupted, or the Connect App is closed.
Choose a connection method
When connecting external devices and displays to a Surface Hub, there are several available options. Choose the method that best fits your needs.
| Purpose | Use this method |
|---|---|
| Mirror the Surface Hub's display on another device. | Video out |
| Power the Surface Hub from an external Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, turning off the embedded computer of the Surface Hub. Cameras, microphones, speakers, and other peripherals, are sent to the external PC, in addition to pen and touch. | Replacement PC Mode |
| Mirror another device's display on the Surface Hub screen and interact with both the device's content and the built-in Surface Hub experience. | Guest Mode |
Replacement PC Mode (recommended)
Replacement PC Mode turns off the Surface Hub's internal computer to let an external PC connect to the Surface Hub. Connecting to replacement PC ports allows access to key peripherals on the Surface Hub like the screen, pen, and touch features. Surface Hub won’t have the benefit of the Windows Team experience, but you'll have the option to use and manage your own Windows computer.
Replacement PC mode scenarios
After end of support, Replacement PC mode allows you to continue using Surface Hub v1 hardware with an external Windows PC. Common scenarios include:
- Continuing use if the internal PC fails or is unsupported: Replacement PC mode bypasses the internal system, letting you keep using the Hub’s display and peripherals.
- Preparing for end of support: Switch to Replacement PC mode before October 14, 2025, to avoid service interruptions and stay on a supported Windows version.
- Running a more powerful or customized PC: Connect a high-performance or specialized external PC to run modern applications or custom workloads.
- Repurposing Surface Hub as a dedicated display: Use the Hub for kiosks, creative studios, or other scenarios that benefit from its large, interactive screen.
- Using all built-in peripherals: With the Surface Hub Replacement PC driver package installed, your external PC can access multi-touch, pen, dual cameras, microphone array, and speakers.
- Advanced display configurations (84″ model): Achieve 4K@120Hz with dual DisplayPort cables and a workstation-grade GPU (such as NVIDIA Quadro with Mosaic Mode or AMD Eyefinity).
Software requirements
You can run Surface Hub in Replacement PC Mode with 64-bit versions of Windows 10 or Windows 11 Home, Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro, and Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise. You can download the Surface Hub Replacement PC driver package from the Microsoft Download Center. We recommend installing these drivers on any computer you plan to use as a replacement PC.
Hardware requirements
Surface Hub is compatible with a range of hardware. Choose the processor and memory configuration for your replacement PC so that it supports the programs you're using. Your replacement PC hardware needs to support 64-bit versions of Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Graphics adapter
In Replacement PC Mode, Surface Hub supports any graphics adapter that can produce a DisplayPort signal. You improve your experience with a graphics adapter that can match Surface Hub's resolution and refresh rate. For example, the best and recommended replacement PC experience on the Surface Hub is with a 120-Hz video signal.
- 55" Surface Hubs: For best experience, use a graphics card capable of 1080p resolution at 120 Hz.
- 84" Surface Hubs: For best experience, use a graphics card capable of outputting four DisplayPort 1.2 streams to produce 2160p at 120 Hz (3840 x 2160 at 120-Hz vertical refresh). Such graphics cards include: NVIDIA Quadro K2200, NVIDIA Quadro K4200, NVIDIA Quadro M6000, AMD FirePro W5100, AMD FirePro W7100, and AMD FirePro W9100.
Check directly with graphics card vendors for the latest drivers.
| Graphics vendor | Driver download page |
|---|---|
| NVIDIA | http://nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx |
| AMD | http://support.amd.com/download |
| Intel | https://downloadcenter.intel.com/ |
Replacement PC ports
See the images and tables below to learn about the Replacement PC ports on the 55" and 84" Surface Hub:
| 55" Surface Hub ports | Type | Interface | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC video | Video input | DP 1.2 | - Full screen display of 1080p at 120 Hz, plus audio - HDCP compliant |
| Internal peripherals | USB output | USB 2.0, type B | - Touch - Pen - Speakers - Microphone - Cameras - NFC sensor - Ambient light sensor - Passive infrared sensor |
| USB hub | USB output | USB 2.0 type B | - Underneath USB ports |
| 84" Surface Hub ports | Type | Interface | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC video | Video input | DP 1.2 (2x) | - Full screen display of 2160p at 120 Hz, plus audio - HDCP compliant |
| Internal peripherals | USB output | USB 2.0 type B | - Touch - Pen - Speakers - Microphone - Cameras - NFC sensor - Ambient light sensor - Passive infrared sensor |
| USB hub | USB output | USB 2.0 type B | - Underneath USB ports |
Set up and use Replacement PC Mode
To set up and use Replacement PC Mode on your Surface Hub, follow these steps:
Download and install the Surface Hub Replacement PC driver package on the replacement PC.
Tip
Set sleep or hibernation on the replacement PC so the Surface Hub will turn off the display when it isn't being used.
Turn off the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
Connect the cables from the Surface Hub's replacement PC ports to the replacement PC. These ports are usually covered by a removable plastic cover.
- 55" Surface Hub: Connect one DisplayPort cable and two USB cables.
- 84" Surface Hub: Connect two DisplayPort cables and two USB cables.
Toggle the Mode switch to Replacement PC. The Mode switch is next to the Replacement PC ports.
Turn on the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
Press the power button on the right side of the Surface Hub.
You can switch the Surface Hub to use the internal PC.
To switch back to internal PC
- Turn off the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
- Toggle the Mode switch to Internal PC. The Mode switch is next to the Replacement PC ports.
- Turn on the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
Video Out
The Surface Hub includes a Video Out port for mirroring visual content from the Surface Hub to another display.
Video Out ports
Video Out port on the 55" Surface Hub
Video Out port on the 84" Surface Hub
| Description | Type | Interface | Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Output Mirror | Video Output | Video Output | - Supports connection to a standard DisplayPort monitor (only supports an x4 Link displaying 1080p60 resolution at 24 bpp) - Supports use with HDMI monitors (supporting 1080p60) by using a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adaptor |
Cables
Both the 55” and 84” Surface Hub devices have been tested to work with Certified DisplayPort and HDMI cables. While vendors do sell longer cables that may work with the Surface Hub, only those cables that have been certified by testing labs are certain to work with the Hub. For example, DisplayPort cables are certified only up to 3 meters, however many vendors sell cables that are three times that length. If a long cable is necessary, we strongly suggest using HDMI. HDMI has many cost-effective solutions for long-haul cables, including the use of repeaters. Nearly every DisplayPort source automatically switches to HDMI signaling if an HDMI sink is detected.
Bluetooth accessories
You can connect the following accessories to Surface Hub using Bluetooth:
- Mice
- Keyboards
- Headsets
- Speakers
Tip
After you connect a Bluetooth headset or speaker, you'll need to change the default microphone and speaker settings.
Guest Mode
Important
Guest mode uses the internal PC on Surface Hub v1, which isn’t supported after October 14, 2025. We recommend switching to Replacement PC mode.
Guest mode lets users share video and audio from their devices to the Surface Hub using a wired connection. Connecting a Windows-based source lets the device also provide Touchback and Inkback capabilities.
Tip
When the Surface Hub encounters a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) signal, the source displays a black image. To display your content without violating HDCP requirements, use the keypad on the right side of the Surface Hub to select the external source.
Ports
See the following table to learn about which ports on the Surface Hub are used for Guest Mode.
| Interface | Type | Description | Supported input | HDCP compliant in bypass mode | Touchback enabled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display Port 1.1a | Video input | Guest input #1 | Simultaneous guest input display with guest input #2 and guest input #3 (one full resolution, two thumbnails) | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI 1.4 | Video input | Guest input #2 | Simultaneous guest input display with guest input #1 and guest input #3 (one full resolution, two thumbnails) | Yes | Yes |
| VGA | Video input | Guest input #3 | Simultaneous guest input display with guest input #1 and guest input #2 (one full resolution, two thumbnails) | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5-mm audio jack | Audio input | Analog audio input | Ingest into Surface Hub PC, usually with VGA video input. | N/A | N/A |
| USB 2.0, type B | USB out | Touchback | Access to HID input devices like mouse, touch, keyboard, and stylus back to the guest PC. | N/A | Yes |
Port locations
These port connections are used for Guest Mode on the 55" and 84" Surface Hub (v1).
Wired port connections on 55" Surface Hub
Wired port connections on 84" Surface Hub
Port enumeration
When a Surface Hub is connected to a guest computer with the wired connect USB port, several USB devices are discovered and configured. These peripheral devices are created for Touchback and Inkback. The peripheral devices can be viewed in Device Manager. Device Manager shows duplicate names for some devices.
Human interface devices
- HID-compliant consumer control device
- HID-compliant pen
- HID-compliant pen (duplicate item)
- HID-compliant touch screen
- USB Input Device
- USB Input Device (duplicate item)
Keyboards
- Standard PS/2 keyboard
Mice and other pointing devices
- HID-compliant mouse
Universal serial bus (USB) controllers
Generic USB hub
USB composite device
Guest Mode connectivity
Your choice of video cable depends on what is available from your source input. Surface Hub v1 has three options for video input: DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA.
See the following chart for supported resolutions:
| Signal Type | Resolution | Frame rate | HDMI - RGB | DisplayPort | VGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC | 640 x 480 | 59.94/60 | X | X | X |
| PC | 720 x 480 | 59.94/60 | X | X | |
| PC | 1024 x 768 | 60 | X | X | X |
| HDTV | 720p | 59.94/60 | X | X | X |
| HDTV | 1080p | 59.94/60 | X | X | X |
Source audio is provided by DisplayPort and HDMI cables. If you must use VGA, Surface Hub has an audio input port with a 3.5-mm plug. Surface Hub also uses a USB cable that provides Touchback and Inkback from the Surface Hub to compatible Windows 10 or Windows 11 devices. The USB cable can be used with any video input that is already connected to a cable.
Someone using Guest Mode to connect a PC would use one of these options:
- DisplayPort: DisplayPort cable and USB 2.0 cable
- HDMI: HDMI cable and USB 2.0 cable
- VGA: VGA cable, 3.5-mm audio cable, and USB 2.0 cable
If the computer you're using for Guest Mode isn't compatible with Touchback and Inkback, you don't need the USB cable.