Target Display Mode for late-2013 iMac 27" with Windows PC

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Target Display Mode for late-2013 iMac 27" with Windows PC

I think I've read and tried and all the right online articles, and I simply cannot make my late-2013 iMac 27" enter target display mode to use it as a main or second monitor for my Windows PC. I'm running Mojave 10.14.6 and my PC is running MS Windows 10 Pro V10.0.17763 Build 17753. I think I've tried all combinations of boot order, Command-F2, Function-Command-F2, login screen or logged in, PC searching or not, etc, etc, etc. It simply does not go into target display mode as it apparently should. My PC laptop is connected to my iMac via an Insignia Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable, and I use the HDMI port at my office every day. What am I missing?

Posted on Oct 12, 2019 5:08 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Malcolm J. Rayfield

Level 7

23,095 points

Oct 12, 2019 9:17 PM in response to mmfrankee

Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode - Apple Support

The 2013 iMac's Thunderbolt will output Mini DisplayPort but will not work in Target Display Mode with Mini DisplayPort input, even though the plug fits. There is no way to get a Thunderbolt signal from a computer that does not have Thunderbolt. There are no cables, adapters, or converters that will help.

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Answer 2

Oct 13, 2019 4:27 AM in response to mmfrankee

mmfrankee wrote:

I think I've read and tried and all the right online articles...

Those were all the wrong articles as no PC can use a 2013 iMac in

Target Display Mode. The only solution is via Microsoft Remote Desktop Mac

via a network connection. I have seen some that "claim" to have worked

but were in reality nothing more the MRD connected to a PC via a Thunderbolt

network connection which will be better than via ethernet but still not

a direct "display" interface.

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,488 points

Oct 12, 2019 11:32 PM in response to mmfrankee

You are mistaken, the ONLY iMacs that will work as an external display to a PC are 27" late 2009 & 2010 iMacs. Please carefully read Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode. Your 2013 WILL NOT work with a PC. If you need an external display for the PC, then you need to buy one. Oh...they are no work arounds!

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Answer 4

mmfrankee Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 14, 2019 4:52 AM in response to mmfrankee

Thanks to all who responded. Not the answer I wanted, but a clear and unanimous answer nonetheless. My mistake was in (selectively and wishfully) reading the articles to mean "...late 2009 & 2010 iMacs..." or later. (sigh).

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Target Display Mode for late-2013 iMac 27" with Windows PC

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