DisplayLink Hot Desking Guide

Last Update: April 1st, 2022
Article ID: 1182770

This article will go over steps needed to program display profiles into DisplayLink based docking stations like the UD-3900C, UD-6950Z, UD-3900Z, UD-6950H, UD-6950, UD-3900H, and UD-3900.

Requirements

For this process you will need the following:

  • A computer with a fully updated version of Windows 7/8.1/10 or later.
    • Not available for macOS, Android, Chrome OS, or Linux
  • Administrative access to the computer used to set up the DisplayLink docking station.
  • A DisplayLink based device with the following chips installed: 
    • DL-3xxx
    • DL-5xxx
    • DL-6xxx
  • Displays to be connected to the docking station.
  • The DockManagementTool.exeapplication.

Setting up to run the DockManagementTool.exe application

You will want to set up one computer that can be used to save or update display profiles using the DockManagementTool.exe application. This is an application that will need to be run in a Command Prompt (CMD) window and executed as an Administrator.

  1. Download DockManagementTool.exe
  2. Move the file into the System32 folder typically located at C:\Windows\System32.
    • You will be asked to authenticate this action as the System32 folder requires administrative access.

Saving a display profile to the docking station

To start you will want to connect the computer to the DisplayLink based docking station along with the displays that will be stationed at the hot desk. Use the Display settings to arrange the displays how you will want them to be saved into the docking station profile.

Once the docking station and the display settings are set up the way you would like, perform the following steps to save the hot desk profile to the DisplayLink docking station:

  1. From the computer, press the Windows key.
  2. Type CMD to show the options for opening a Command Prompt window.
  3. Select the option to Run as administrator.
  4. When the new Command Promptwindow opens, you will want to execute the following command:
    • DockManagementTool.exe -layout store

The displays should disconnect and then reconnect with the print Operation successful in the Command Prompt window. This indicates that the display profile has been saved to the docking station.

This process can also be used to overwrite the display profiles stored within a docking station if the display configuration changes.

Setting up host computers to use the display profiles

The standard DisplayLink drivers will not interface with the docking station for recalling the display profiles. You will need to load the DisplayLink USB Graphics Software for Windows with Hot Desking from the Corporate Installers for Windows section of the DisplayLink downloads page.

It is recommended that you install these drivers before connecting any DisplayLink device to the host computer as the standard DisplayLink drivers will likely be installed and that will block the install of the Hot Desking compatible version of the drivers.

If the host computer already has the standard DisplayLink drivers installed, you will want to follow these instructions to install the Hot Desking version:

  1. Disconnect any DisplayLink powered device from the host computer.
  2. Uninstall any and all software with 'DisplayLink' in the title that is present from within the Control Panel -> Programs and Features.
  3. Download, extract and run the DisplayLink cleaner tool
  4. Once the Cleaner has been run, reboot
  5. Now download and install the DisplayLink USB Graphics Software for Windows with Hot Desking

The system should now be running the Hot Desking compatible version of the DisplayLink drivers that should allow the computer to pull display profiles from the docking stations to automatically configure the display layout.

Known issues

We have seen that some host computers will not apply the saved display profiles form a DisplayLink docking station when connected. When this happens the docking station may reverie back to the default display layout for that host computer. Note that this will not affect the display profile saved to the docking station nor will it affect normal use of the docking station. 

In these situations the end user will simply need to use the Display Settings to rearrange the displays as needed.