diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/display_presence.h b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/display_presence.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6a84bdad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/display_presence.h
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+/*
+ * @Author: DI JUNKUN
+ * @Date: 2026-09-20
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 by DI JUNKUN, All Rights Reserved.
+ */
+
+#ifndef CROSSDESK_DISPLAY_PRESENCE_H_
+#define CROSSDESK_DISPLAY_PRESENCE_H_
+
+#include <Windows.h>
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <cstddef>
+#include <vector>
+
+namespace crossdesk {
+
+// Without any attached monitor, Windows keeps the desktop on a phantom display
+// target with an OS-chosen resolution. DXGI has no output to duplicate there,
+// but GDI still reads the composed desktop and input injection keeps working.
+enum class DisplayPresence { present, headless, unknown };
+
+struct DisplayPresenceProbe {
+  bool query_succeeded = false;   // QueryDisplayConfig returned a topology
+  size_t active_paths = 0;        // active display paths, phantom included
+  size_t available_targets = 0;   // active paths whose monitor is present
+  size_t desktop_devices = 0;     // adapters attached to the desktop
+  size_t attached_monitors = 0;   // monitor devices reported active
+};
+
+// Pure policy, kept separate from Win32 so it can be tested with fixtures.
+inline DisplayPresence ClassifyDisplayPresence(
+    const DisplayPresenceProbe& probe) {
+  if (probe.query_succeeded) {
+    if (probe.available_targets > 0) return DisplayPresence::present;
+    if (probe.active_paths > 0 || probe.desktop_devices > 0)
+      return DisplayPresence::headless;
+    return DisplayPresence::unknown;
+  }
+  if (probe.attached_monitors > 0) return DisplayPresence::present;
+  if (probe.desktop_devices > 0) return DisplayPresence::headless;
+  return DisplayPresence::unknown;
+}
+
+inline DisplayPresenceProbe ProbeDisplayPresence() {
+  DisplayPresenceProbe probe;
+  // The buffer size can change between the two calls during a topology
+  // change; a few retries cover that window.
+  for (int attempt = 0; attempt < 4 && !probe.query_succeeded; ++attempt) {
+    UINT32 path_count = 0;
+    UINT32 mode_count = 0;
+    if (GetDisplayConfigBufferSizes(QDC_ONLY_ACTIVE_PATHS, &path_count,
+                                    &mode_count) != ERROR_SUCCESS) break;
+    std::vector<DISPLAYCONFIG_PATH_INFO> paths((std::max)(path_count, 1u));
+    std::vector<DISPLAYCONFIG_MODE_INFO> modes((std::max)(mode_count, 1u));
+    const LONG status = QueryDisplayConfig(QDC_ONLY_ACTIVE_PATHS, &path_count,
+                                           paths.data(), &mode_count,
+                                           modes.data(), nullptr);
+    if (status == ERROR_INSUFFICIENT_BUFFER) continue;
+    if (status != ERROR_SUCCESS) break;
+    probe.query_succeeded = true;
+    for (UINT32 index = 0; index < path_count; ++index) {
+      if (!(paths[index].flags & DISPLAYCONFIG_PATH_ACTIVE)) continue;
+      ++probe.active_paths;
+      // A removed monitor can leave its path active while the target is gone.
+      if (paths[index].targetInfo.targetAvailable) ++probe.available_targets;
+    }
+  }
+  for (DWORD index = 0;; ++index) {
+    DISPLAY_DEVICEW adapter{sizeof(adapter)};
+    if (!EnumDisplayDevicesW(nullptr, index, &adapter, 0)) break;
+    if (!(adapter.StateFlags & DISPLAY_DEVICE_ATTACHED_TO_DESKTOP)) continue;
+    ++probe.desktop_devices;
+    for (DWORD child = 0;; ++child) {
+      DISPLAY_DEVICEW monitor{sizeof(monitor)};
+      if (!EnumDisplayDevicesW(adapter.DeviceName, child, &monitor, 0)) break;
+      if (monitor.StateFlags & DISPLAY_DEVICE_ACTIVE) ++probe.attached_monitors;
+    }
+  }
+  return probe;
+}
+
+}  // namespace crossdesk
+
+#endif  // CROSSDESK_DISPLAY_PRESENCE_H_
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_gdi.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_gdi.cpp
index 4f3525bb..69d21d87 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_gdi.cpp
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_gdi.cpp
@@ -122,15 +122,25 @@ int ScreenCapturerGdi::ResetToInitialMonitor() {
 void ScreenCapturerGdi::CaptureLoop() {
   int interval_ms = fps_ > 0 ? (1000 / fps_) : 16;
   HDC screen_dc = GetDC(nullptr);
+  bool dc_error_logged = false;
   while (running_) {
     if (paused_) {
       std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(10));
       continue;
     }
     if (!screen_dc) {
-      std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(10));
+      // The screen DC can be unavailable during a desktop switch; retry so
+      // capture resumes once the desktop is reachable again.
+      if (!dc_error_logged) {
+        LOG_WARN("GDI: GetDC(nullptr) failed, error={}; retrying",
+                 GetLastError());
+        dc_error_logged = true;
+      }
+      std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(interval_ms));
+      screen_dc = GetDC(nullptr);
       continue;
     }
+    dc_error_logged = false;
 
     int idx = monitor_index_.load();
     if (idx < 0 || idx >= static_cast<int>(display_info_list_.size())) {
@@ -157,11 +167,22 @@ void ScreenCapturerGdi::CaptureLoop() {
     bmi.bmiHeader.biBitCount = 32;
     bmi.bmiHeader.biCompression = BI_RGB;
 
+    // GDI is the only backend on a headless desktop, where odd DIB sizes and
+    // exhausted GDI handles are plausible; never dereference a failed alloc.
     void* bits = nullptr;
     HDC mem_dc = CreateCompatibleDC(screen_dc);
-    HBITMAP dib =
-        CreateDIBSection(mem_dc, &bmi, DIB_RGB_COLORS, &bits, nullptr, 0);
-    HGDIOBJ old = SelectObject(mem_dc, dib);
+    HBITMAP dib = mem_dc ? CreateDIBSection(mem_dc, &bmi, DIB_RGB_COLORS,
+                                            &bits, nullptr, 0)
+                         : nullptr;
+    HGDIOBJ old = (dib && bits) ? SelectObject(mem_dc, dib) : nullptr;
+    if (!old) {
+      LOG_WARN("GDI: frame buffer allocation failed ({}x{}), error={}", width,
+               height, GetLastError());
+      if (dib) DeleteObject(dib);
+      if (mem_dc) DeleteDC(mem_dc);
+      std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(interval_ms));
+      continue;
+    }
 
     BitBlt(mem_dc, 0, 0, width, height, screen_dc, left, top,
            SRCCOPY | CAPTUREBLT);
@@ -202,7 +223,7 @@ void ScreenCapturerGdi::CaptureLoop() {
 
     std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(interval_ms));
   }
-  ReleaseDC(nullptr, screen_dc);
+  if (screen_dc) ReleaseDC(nullptr, screen_dc);
 }
 
 }  // namespace crossdesk
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_win.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_win.cpp
index e5bf058a..965ad009 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_win.cpp
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_win.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 #include <display_stream_id.h>
 #include "captured_nv12_frame.h"
 #include "captured_cursor_state.h"
+#include "display_presence.h"
 #include "dxgi_cursor_state.h"
 #include "interactive_desktop.h"
 #include "interactive_state.h"
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@
 #include "secure_desktop_status_poller.h"
 #include "service_host.h"
 #include "session_helper_shared.h"
+#include "../virtual_display/usbmmidd_virtual_display.h"
 #include "wgc_plugin_api.h"
 
 namespace crossdesk {
@@ -180,6 +182,63 @@ const char* CaptureBackendName(const ScreenCapturer* capturer) {
   return "unavailable";
 }
 
+// Debug aid: CROSSDESK_FORCE_HEADLESS=1 makes a host that has monitors behave
+// as if it had none until a usbmmidd monitor is plugged, so the virtual
+// display path can be exercised without unplugging cables. Once the virtual
+// monitor is attached the real probe takes over again.
+bool ForcedHeadlessForTesting() {
+  static const bool forced = [] {
+    wchar_t value[8] = {0};
+    const DWORD length =
+        GetEnvironmentVariableW(L"CROSSDESK_FORCE_HEADLESS", value, 8);
+    return length > 0 && length < 8 && value[0] == L'1';
+  }();
+  return forced && CountUsbmmiddMonitors() == 0;
+}
+
+// Headless compatibility mode: no monitor is attached, so the desktop lives on
+// a phantom target at an OS-chosen resolution. DXGI cannot duplicate it and
+// WGC has no real monitor item; GDI reads the composed desktop. This is a
+// best-effort baseline that needs no driver. Only an explicit Auto selection
+// takes this shortcut; a pinned method keeps its own failure semantics.
+bool DetectHeadlessDesktop(ScreenCaptureMethod method) {
+  if (method != ScreenCaptureMethod::Auto) return false;
+  if (ForcedHeadlessForTesting()) {
+    static std::atomic<bool> logged{false};
+    if (!logged.exchange(true)) {
+      LOG_WARN("Windows capturer: CROSSDESK_FORCE_HEADLESS=1 set; treating the "
+               "desktop as headless until a usbmmidd monitor is plugged");
+    }
+    return true;
+  }
+  const auto probe = ProbeDisplayPresence();
+  const auto presence = ClassifyDisplayPresence(probe);
+  // Sessions probe repeatedly; report transitions rather than every probe.
+  static std::atomic<int> last_logged{-1};
+  if (last_logged.exchange(static_cast<int>(presence)) !=
+      static_cast<int>(presence)) {
+    if (presence == DisplayPresence::headless) {
+      LOG_WARN(
+          "Windows capturer: no attached display (active_paths={}, "
+          "available_targets={}, desktop_devices={}, monitors={}); entering "
+          "headless compatibility mode. Resolution is fixed by Windows and "
+          "capture uses GDI. Attach a monitor or an HDMI dummy plug to "
+          "restore GPU capture.",
+          probe.active_paths, probe.available_targets, probe.desktop_devices,
+          probe.attached_monitors);
+    } else if (presence == DisplayPresence::unknown) {
+      LOG_WARN("Windows capturer: display presence unknown (query_ok={}, "
+               "desktop_devices={}); using the normal backend order",
+               probe.query_succeeded, probe.desktop_devices);
+    } else {
+      LOG_INFO("Windows capturer: attached display detected "
+               "(available_targets={}, monitors={})",
+               probe.available_targets, probe.attached_monitors);
+    }
+  }
+  return presence == DisplayPresence::headless;
+}
+
 std::string BuildSecureCaptureCommand(int left, int top, int width, int height,
                                       bool show_cursor,
                                       const std::string& stage,
@@ -502,25 +561,22 @@ int ScreenCapturerWin::Init(const int fps, cb_desktop_data cb) {
   };
 
   impl_.reset();
+  const bool headless = DetectHeadlessDesktop(capture_method_);
+  headless_compat_.store(headless, std::memory_order_relaxed);
   int ret = -1;
-  auto try_init = [&](std::unique_ptr<ScreenCapturer> candidate) {
+  for (const auto& create : PreferredBackends(headless)) {
+    std::unique_ptr<ScreenCapturer> candidate = create();
     ret = candidate ? candidate->Init(fps_, cb_) : -1;
-    if (ret != 0) {
-      LOG_WARN("Windows capturer: {} init failed (ret={})",
-               CaptureBackendName(candidate.get()), ret);
-      return false;
+    if (ret == 0) {
+      impl_ = std::move(candidate);
+      break;
     }
-    impl_ = std::move(candidate);
-    return true;
-  };
-  // Short-circuiting also keeps the unused WGC plugin unloaded.
-  if ((IsBackendEnabled(ScreenCaptureMethod::Dxgi) &&
-       try_init(std::make_unique<ScreenCapturerDxgi>())) ||
-      (IsBackendEnabled(ScreenCaptureMethod::Wgc) &&
-       try_init(WgcPluginCapturer::Create())) ||
-      (IsBackendEnabled(ScreenCaptureMethod::Gdi) &&
-       try_init(std::make_unique<ScreenCapturerGdi>()))) {
-    LOG_INFO("Windows capturer: using {}", CaptureBackendName(impl_.get()));
+    LOG_WARN("Windows capturer: {} init failed (ret={})",
+             CaptureBackendName(candidate.get()), ret);
+  }
+  if (impl_) {
+    LOG_INFO("Windows capturer: using {}{}", CaptureBackendName(impl_.get()),
+             headless ? " (headless compatibility mode)" : "");
     BuildCanonicalFromImpl();
     monitor_index_.store(0, std::memory_order_relaxed);
     return 0;
@@ -533,6 +589,9 @@ int ScreenCapturerWin::Init(const int fps, cb_desktop_data cb) {
 
 int ScreenCapturerWin::Destroy() {
   Stop();
+  // Stop() releases the virtual display on a worker; finish it here so the
+  // provisioner is idle before its owner goes away.
+  JoinVirtualDisplayThread();
   paused_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
   if (impl_) {
     impl_->Destroy();
@@ -651,6 +710,51 @@ bool ScreenCapturerWin::TryStartBackend(
   return true;
 }
 
+std::vector<ScreenCapturerWin::BackendFactory>
+ScreenCapturerWin::PreferredBackends(bool headless) const {
+  // A headless desktop goes straight to GDI: DXGI has no output to duplicate
+  // and WGC has no monitor item.
+  std::vector<BackendFactory> factories;
+  if (!headless && IsBackendEnabled(ScreenCaptureMethod::Dxgi)) {
+    factories.push_back([] { return std::make_unique<ScreenCapturerDxgi>(); });
+  }
+  if (!headless && IsBackendEnabled(ScreenCaptureMethod::Wgc)) {
+    factories.push_back([] { return WgcPluginCapturer::Create(); });
+  }
+  if (IsBackendEnabled(ScreenCaptureMethod::Gdi)) {
+    factories.push_back([] { return std::make_unique<ScreenCapturerGdi>(); });
+  }
+  return factories;
+}
+
+bool ScreenCapturerWin::StartPreferredBackend(bool headless,
+                                              int monitor_index) {
+  for (const auto& create : PreferredBackends(headless)) {
+    if (TryStartBackend(create(), monitor_index)) return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+void ScreenCapturerWin::ResetPostSecureDesktopState() {
+  secure_desktop_capture_active_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  post_secure_desktop_waiting_for_frame_.store(false,
+                                               std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  post_secure_desktop_drop_logged_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  post_secure_desktop_started_tick_.store(0, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  SharedSecureDesktopCursorState().SetActive(false);
+}
+
+int ScreenCapturerWin::MarkStarted() {
+  running_.store(true, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  NotifyPrivacyCapture(true);
+  ResetPostSecureDesktopState();
+  if (!secure_capture_thread_.joinable()) {
+    secure_capture_thread_ =
+        std::thread([this]() { SecureDesktopCaptureLoop(); });
+  }
+  return 0;
+}
+
 int ScreenCapturerWin::Start(bool show_cursor) {
   if (!impl_) return -1;
   if (running_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed)) {
@@ -670,8 +774,40 @@ int ScreenCapturerWin::Start(bool show_cursor) {
   // open; logical stream IDs must remain stable.
   const int requested_monitor =
       monitor_index_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  // A monitor may have been attached or removed since the last session. Pick
+  // the backend for the desktop as it is now, not as it was at Init.
+  const bool headless = DetectHeadlessDesktop(capture_method_);
+  // The virtual display is provisioned off this thread (Start() runs on the
+  // UI thread and a driver install can take minutes). Begin in compatibility
+  // mode; MaybeAdoptVirtualDisplay() switches to a GPU backend once ready.
+  JoinVirtualDisplayThread();
+  virtual_display_ready_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  const bool was_headless =
+      headless_compat_.exchange(headless, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  const bool backend_is_gdi = dynamic_cast<ScreenCapturerGdi*>(impl_.get()) != nullptr;
+  int ret = 0;
+  if (headless != was_headless || (headless && !backend_is_gdi)) {
+    LOG_INFO("Windows capturer: desktop presence changed (headless={}), "
+             "reselecting the capture backend", headless);
+    impl_->Destroy();
+    // Keep an instance around on failure so the next Start can retry.
+    std::unique_ptr<ScreenCapturer> previous;
+    {
+      std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(impl_mutex_);
+      previous = std::move(impl_);
+    }
+    if (!StartPreferredBackend(headless, requested_monitor)) {
+      std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(impl_mutex_);
+      impl_ = std::move(previous);
+      LOG_ERROR("Windows capturer: no capture backend could start");
+      return -1;
+    }
+    ret = MarkStarted();
+    if (ret == 0 && headless) BeginVirtualDisplayProvisioning();
+    return ret;
+  }
   impl_->Destroy();
-  int ret = impl_->Init(fps_, cb_);
+  ret = impl_->Init(fps_, cb_);
   if (ret == 0) {
     RebuildAliasesFromImpl();
     // Canonical wire/input slots may differ from this backend's refreshed
@@ -706,42 +842,100 @@ int ScreenCapturerWin::Start(bool show_cursor) {
     }
   }
 
-  running_.store(true, std::memory_order_relaxed);
-  NotifyPrivacyCapture(true);
-  SharedSecureDesktopCursorState().SetActive(false);
-  secure_desktop_capture_active_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
-  post_secure_desktop_waiting_for_frame_.store(false,
-                                               std::memory_order_relaxed);
-  post_secure_desktop_drop_logged_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
-  post_secure_desktop_started_tick_.store(0, std::memory_order_relaxed);
-  if (!secure_capture_thread_.joinable()) {
-    secure_capture_thread_ =
-        std::thread([this]() { SecureDesktopCaptureLoop(); });
-  }
-  return 0;
+  ret = MarkStarted();
+  if (ret == 0 && headless) BeginVirtualDisplayProvisioning();
+  return ret;
 }
 
 int ScreenCapturerWin::Stop() {
   NotifyPrivacyCapture(false);
   running_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
   last_capture_progress_tick_.store(0, std::memory_order_relaxed);
-  secure_desktop_capture_active_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
-  post_secure_desktop_waiting_for_frame_.store(false,
-                                               std::memory_order_relaxed);
-  post_secure_desktop_drop_logged_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
-  post_secure_desktop_started_tick_.store(0, std::memory_order_relaxed);
   int ret = 0;
   // Drain management operations before stopping/replacing their backend.
+  virtual_display_.RequestCancel();
   StopSecureCaptureThread();
+  JoinVirtualDisplayThread();
+  ResetPostSecureDesktopState();
   if (impl_) {
     ret = impl_->Stop();
   }
   SharedCapturedCursorState().Reset();
-  SharedSecureDesktopCursorState().SetActive(false);
   StopSecureDesktopSharedCapture(secure_shared_session_id_);
+  // After the backend released its duplication of the virtual output. The
+  // unplug itself can take seconds; do not hold the UI thread for it.
+  BeginVirtualDisplayRelease();
   return ret;
 }
 
+void ScreenCapturerWin::JoinVirtualDisplayThread() {
+  if (virtual_display_thread_.joinable()) virtual_display_thread_.join();
+}
+
+void ScreenCapturerWin::BeginVirtualDisplayProvisioning() {
+  JoinVirtualDisplayThread();
+  virtual_display_thread_ = std::thread([this] {
+    // A usbmmidd virtual monitor turns the phantom desktop into a real
+    // display target, so the GPU backends and a chosen resolution apply.
+    std::string error;
+    if (virtual_display_.Acquire(kDefaultVirtualDisplayMode, &error)) {
+      virtual_display_ready_.store(true, std::memory_order_release);
+    } else if (error != "cancelled") {
+      LOG_WARN("Windows capturer: no usbmmidd virtual display ({}); staying "
+               "in headless compatibility mode",
+               error);
+    }
+  });
+}
+
+void ScreenCapturerWin::BeginVirtualDisplayRelease() {
+  JoinVirtualDisplayThread();
+  virtual_display_ready_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  if (!virtual_display_.NeedsRelease()) return;
+  virtual_display_thread_ = std::thread([this] { virtual_display_.Release(); });
+}
+
+void ScreenCapturerWin::MaybeAdoptVirtualDisplay() {
+  if (!virtual_display_ready_.exchange(false, std::memory_order_acq_rel))
+    return;
+  if (!running_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed)) return;
+  if (DetectHeadlessDesktop(capture_method_)) {
+    LOG_WARN("Windows capturer: virtual display plugged but the desktop "
+             "still reports no display; staying in compatibility mode");
+    return;
+  }
+  const int current_monitor = monitor_index_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  LOG_INFO("Windows capturer: virtual display ready, switching from "
+           "compatibility mode to a GPU backend");
+  NotifyPrivacyCapture(false);
+  // Public entry points dereference impl_ under impl_mutex_; take the old
+  // backend out under the lock, then tear it down without holding it.
+  std::unique_ptr<ScreenCapturer> previous;
+  {
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(impl_mutex_);
+    previous = std::move(impl_);
+  }
+  if (previous) previous->Destroy();
+  if (StartPreferredBackend(false, current_monitor)) {
+    headless_compat_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+    // The owner refreshes its display list and input mapping every tick from
+    // GetDisplayInfoList(), so the new geometry is picked up without a hint.
+  } else {
+    LOG_ERROR("Windows capturer: no GPU backend started on the virtual "
+              "display; restoring compatibility capture");
+    {
+      std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(impl_mutex_);
+      impl_ = std::move(previous);
+    }
+    // RestoreMonitor takes impl_mutex_ itself (via SwitchTo).
+    if (impl_ && impl_->Init(fps_, cb_) == 0) {
+      RestoreMonitor(current_monitor);
+      impl_->Start(show_cursor_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed));
+    }
+  }
+  NotifyPrivacyCapture(true);
+}
+
 int ScreenCapturerWin::Pause(int monitor_index) {
   paused_.store(true, std::memory_order_relaxed);
   std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(impl_mutex_);
@@ -949,21 +1143,15 @@ bool ScreenCapturerWin::RestartCaptureBackendAfterSecureDesktop() {
     return true;
   }
 
-  if ((IsBackendEnabled(ScreenCaptureMethod::Dxgi) &&
-       TryStartBackend(std::make_unique<ScreenCapturerDxgi>(), current_monitor)) ||
-      (IsBackendEnabled(ScreenCaptureMethod::Wgc) &&
-       TryStartBackend(WgcPluginCapturer::Create(), current_monitor)) ||
-      (IsBackendEnabled(ScreenCaptureMethod::Gdi) &&
-       TryStartBackend(std::make_unique<ScreenCapturerGdi>(), current_monitor))) {
+  if (StartPreferredBackend(headless_compat_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed),
+                            current_monitor)) {
     return true;
   }
 
-  if (impl_) {
-    LOG_WARN(
-        "Windows capturer: all backend restart attempts after secure desktop "
-        "failed (last_ret={})",
-        ret);
-  }
+  LOG_WARN(
+      "Windows capturer: all backend restart attempts after secure desktop "
+      "failed (last_ret={})",
+      ret);
   return false;
 }
 
@@ -1405,6 +1593,7 @@ void ScreenCapturerWin::SecureDesktopCaptureLoop() {
 
     if (!status.capture_active || status.active_session_id == 0xFFFFFFFF) {
       StopSecureDesktopSharedCapture(secure_shared_session_id_);
+      MaybeAdoptVirtualDisplay();
       CheckCaptureProgress(now);
       if (post_secure_restart_pending) {
         if (now >= post_secure_restart_deadline_tick) {
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_win.h b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_win.h
index 1c432a48..38b37c3c 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_win.h
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_win.h
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #include <atomic>
 #include <cstddef>
 #include <cstdint>
+#include <functional>
 #include <memory>
 #include <mutex>
 #include <string>
@@ -22,6 +23,8 @@
 #include "screen_capturer.h"
 #include "screen_capture_method.h"
 #include "privacy_controller.h"
+// Relative: platform include directories stay private to the capture target.
+#include "../virtual_display/virtual_display_provisioner.h"
 
 namespace crossdesk {
 
@@ -50,6 +53,8 @@ class ScreenCapturerWin : public ScreenCapturer {
 
   std::vector<DisplayInfo> GetDisplayInfoList() override;
   int GetCurrentMonitorIndex() const override;
+  // True while this session captures a usbmmidd monitor it plugged itself.
+  bool IsVirtualDisplayActive() const { return virtual_display_.active(); }
   void SetPrivacyController(PrivacyController* privacy) override { privacy_ = privacy; }
   // Set before Init(), while capture is stopped.
   void SetCaptureMethod(ScreenCaptureMethod method) { capture_method_ = method; }
@@ -58,6 +63,7 @@ class ScreenCapturerWin : public ScreenCapturer {
   static bool CurrentFrameIsFromSecureDesktop();
 
  private:
+  using BackendFactory = std::function<std::unique_ptr<ScreenCapturer>()>;
   std::unique_ptr<ScreenCapturer> impl_;
   // Serializes backend replacement (secure-desktop recovery runs on the
   // management thread) against the public entry points that dereference it.
@@ -87,6 +93,16 @@ class ScreenCapturerWin : public ScreenCapturer {
   std::atomic<bool> paused_{false};
   std::atomic<bool> show_cursor_{true};
   bool applied_show_cursor_ = true;
+  std::atomic<bool> headless_compat_{false};
+  // Session-scoped: plugged on a headless desktop after Start() returns and
+  // released after Stop(), so an attached physical monitor is never shadowed
+  // between sessions. Both run on virtual_display_thread_ because the helper
+  // may need up to two minutes to install the driver; Start() itself begins
+  // in GDI compatibility mode and the management thread adopts the virtual
+  // display (switching to a GPU backend) once virtual_display_ready_ is set.
+  VirtualDisplayProvisioner virtual_display_;
+  std::thread virtual_display_thread_;
+  std::atomic<bool> virtual_display_ready_{false};
   std::atomic<int> monitor_index_{0};
   std::atomic<bool> secure_desktop_capture_active_{false};
   std::atomic<bool> post_secure_desktop_waiting_for_frame_{false};
@@ -112,8 +128,16 @@ class ScreenCapturerWin : public ScreenCapturer {
   void BuildCanonicalFromImpl();
   void RebuildAliasesFromImpl(bool preserve_backend_slots = false);
   void RestoreMonitor(int monitor_index);
+  // Backends in preference order for the current desktop; each factory is
+  // invoked lazily so an unused WGC plugin is never loaded.
+  std::vector<BackendFactory> PreferredBackends(bool headless) const;
   bool TryStartBackend(std::unique_ptr<ScreenCapturer> candidate,
                        int monitor_index);
+  bool StartPreferredBackend(bool headless, int monitor_index);
+  void ResetPostSecureDesktopState();
+  // Common tail of every successful Start(): publish running state and
+  // launch the management thread.
+  int MarkStarted();
   void EmitCapturedFrame(unsigned char* data, int size, int width, int height,
                          const char* stream_id,
                          const MiniRtcNativeVideoFrame* native_frame = nullptr,
@@ -121,6 +145,13 @@ class ScreenCapturerWin : public ScreenCapturer {
   void StopSecureCaptureThread();
   bool RestartCaptureBackendAfterSecureDesktop();
   void CheckCaptureProgress(ULONGLONG now);
+  // Virtual display provisioning runs off the caller's thread.
+  void JoinVirtualDisplayThread();
+  void BeginVirtualDisplayProvisioning();
+  void BeginVirtualDisplayRelease();
+  // Management thread: once the worker plugged the virtual display, replace
+  // the GDI compatibility backend with a GPU backend on that display.
+  void MaybeAdoptVirtualDisplay();
   void ApplyCursorCaptureSetting();
   void SecureDesktopCaptureLoop();
   bool GetCurrentCaptureRegion(int* left, int* top, int* width, int* height,
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_main.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_main.cpp
index 535021e9..c9c9751e 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_main.cpp
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_main.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include <chrono>
 #include <cstring>
 #include <filesystem>
+#include <functional>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <memory>
 #include <mutex>
@@ -25,6 +26,8 @@
 #include "path_manager.h"
 #include "rd_log.h"
 #include "session_helper_shared.h"
+#include "usbmmidd_policy.h"
+#include "usbmmidd_virtual_display.h"
 #include "windows_cursor_state.h"
 #include "cursor_draw.h"
 #include "windows_input_marker.h"
@@ -453,8 +456,193 @@ std::string BuildHelperStatusResponse(HelperState* helper_state) {
   return json.dump();
 }
 
+// Driver install and monitor plug/unplug take seconds. They run on a worker
+// so the status pipe (polled by the service every second) stays responsive;
+// the GUI polls the status command until |busy| clears.
+struct VirtualDisplayJobState {
+  std::mutex mutex;
+  std::thread worker;
+  bool busy = false;
+  // Monitors this helper plugged and has not yet unplugged. Unplug releases
+  // only these, so a monitor the user plugged for other software survives.
+  int plugged_by_helper = 0;
+  // An unplug that arrived while a plug was running; the plug worker honours
+  // it on completion so a cancelled session never leaves a monitor behind.
+  bool unplug_queued = false;
+  std::string last_action;
+  std::string last_error;
+
+  ~VirtualDisplayJobState() {
+    if (worker.joinable()) worker.join();
+  }
+};
+
+// The helper pipe grants read/write to every authenticated user so that the
+// GUI can poll status without elevation. Plug/unplug install a driver and
+// change the interactive desktop's topology as SYSTEM, so those commands are
+// accepted only from a CrossDesk executable in this helper's own directory.
+bool IsTrustedVirtualDisplayClient(HANDLE pipe) {
+  ULONG client_pid = 0;
+  if (!GetNamedPipeClientProcessId(pipe, &client_pid)) return false;
+  HANDLE process =
+      OpenProcess(PROCESS_QUERY_LIMITED_INFORMATION, FALSE, client_pid);
+  if (process == nullptr) return false;
+  wchar_t image[MAX_PATH] = {0};
+  DWORD length = MAX_PATH;
+  const bool queried =
+      QueryFullProcessImageNameW(process, 0, image, &length) && length > 0;
+  CloseHandle(process);
+  if (!queried) return false;
+
+  wchar_t own[MAX_PATH] = {0};
+  const DWORD own_length = GetModuleFileNameW(nullptr, own, MAX_PATH);
+  if (own_length == 0 || own_length >= MAX_PATH) return false;
+  std::error_code ignored;
+  const std::filesystem::path client(image);
+  if (_wcsicmp(client.filename().c_str(), L"CrossDesk.exe") != 0) return false;
+  const std::filesystem::path client_directory =
+      std::filesystem::weakly_canonical(client.parent_path(), ignored);
+  const std::filesystem::path own_directory = std::filesystem::weakly_canonical(
+      std::filesystem::path(own).parent_path(), ignored);
+  return _wcsicmp(client_directory.c_str(), own_directory.c_str()) == 0;
+}
+
+std::string BuildVirtualDisplayStatusResponse(VirtualDisplayJobState* job) {
+  const crossdesk::UsbmmiddStatus status = crossdesk::QueryUsbmmiddStatus();
+  Json json;
+  json["ok"] = true;
+  json["package_available"] = status.package_available;
+  json["package_directory"] = status.package_directory;
+  json["driver_installed"] = status.driver_installed;
+  json["plugged_monitors"] = status.plugged_monitors;
+  std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(job->mutex);
+  json["busy"] = job->busy;
+  json["last_action"] = job->last_action;
+  json["last_error"] = job->last_error;
+  return json.dump();
+}
+
+std::string StartVirtualDisplayJob(
+    VirtualDisplayJobState* job, const char* action,
+    std::function<bool(std::string*)> work) {
+  std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(job->mutex);
+  if (job->busy) return BuildErrorJson("virtual_display_busy");
+  // A finished worker no longer touches the mutex; joining under it is safe.
+  if (job->worker.joinable()) job->worker.join();
+  job->busy = true;
+  job->last_action = action;
+  job->last_error.clear();
+  LOG_INFO("Session helper virtual display job started: {}", action);
+  job->worker = std::thread([job, action, work = std::move(work)]() {
+    std::string error;
+    const bool ok = work(&error);
+    if (ok) {
+      LOG_INFO("Session helper virtual display job finished: {}", action);
+    } else {
+      LOG_WARN("Session helper virtual display job failed: {}, error={}",
+               action, error);
+    }
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(job->mutex);
+    job->busy = false;
+    job->last_error = ok ? std::string() : (error.empty() ? "unknown" : error);
+  });
+  Json json;
+  json["ok"] = true;
+  json["pending"] = true;
+  return json.dump();
+}
+
+std::string HandleVirtualDisplayCommand(const std::string& command,
+                                       HANDLE pipe,
+                                       VirtualDisplayJobState* job,
+                                       bool* handled) {
+  *handled = true;
+  if (command == crossdesk::kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayStatusCommand) {
+    return BuildVirtualDisplayStatusResponse(job);
+  }
+  const bool mutating =
+      command == crossdesk::kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayUnplugCommand ||
+      command.rfind(crossdesk::kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayPlugCommandPrefix, 0) ==
+          0;
+  if (mutating && !IsTrustedVirtualDisplayClient(pipe)) {
+    LOG_WARN("Session helper rejected virtual display command '{}' from an "
+             "untrusted client",
+             command);
+    return BuildErrorJson("virtual_display_client_not_allowed",
+                          ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED);
+  }
+  if (command == crossdesk::kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayUnplugCommand) {
+    {
+      std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(job->mutex);
+      if (job->busy && job->last_action == "plug") {
+        job->unplug_queued = true;
+        Json json;
+        json["ok"] = true;
+        json["pending"] = true;
+        json["queued"] = true;
+        return json.dump();
+      }
+    }
+    return StartVirtualDisplayJob(job, "unplug", [job](std::string* error) {
+      int count = 0;
+      {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(job->mutex);
+        count = job->plugged_by_helper;
+      }
+      if (!crossdesk::ReleaseUsbmmiddDisplays(count, error)) return false;
+      std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(job->mutex);
+      job->plugged_by_helper = 0;
+      return true;
+    });
+  }
+  crossdesk::VirtualDisplayMode mode;
+  if (crossdesk::ParseVirtualDisplayPlugCommand(command, &mode)) {
+    return StartVirtualDisplayJob(job, "plug", [job, mode](std::string* error) {
+      {
+        // This job only starts when no other job runs, so any unplug queued
+        // behind an earlier plug has already been honoured.
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(job->mutex);
+        job->unplug_queued = false;
+      }
+      int plugged = 0;
+      const bool ok = crossdesk::ProvisionUsbmmiddDisplay(mode, &plugged, error);
+      int to_release = 0;
+      {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(job->mutex);
+        job->plugged_by_helper += plugged;
+        if (job->unplug_queued) {
+          job->unplug_queued = false;
+          to_release = job->plugged_by_helper;
+        }
+      }
+      if (to_release > 0) {
+        LOG_INFO("Session helper virtual display: releasing {} monitor(s) "
+                 "for an unplug queued during the plug",
+                 to_release);
+        std::string release_error;
+        if (crossdesk::ReleaseUsbmmiddDisplays(to_release, &release_error)) {
+          std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(job->mutex);
+          job->plugged_by_helper = 0;
+        } else {
+          LOG_WARN("Session helper virtual display: queued unplug failed, "
+                   "error={}",
+                   release_error);
+        }
+      }
+      return ok;
+    });
+  }
+  if (command.rfind(crossdesk::kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayPlugCommandPrefix, 0) ==
+      0) {
+    return BuildErrorJson("invalid_virtual_display_mode");
+  }
+  *handled = false;
+  return {};
+}
+
 void HelperIpcServerLoop(HANDLE stop_event, DWORD session_id,
-                         HelperState* helper_state) {
+                         HelperState* helper_state,
+                         VirtualDisplayJobState* virtual_display_job) {
   IpcSecurityAttributes security_attributes;
   SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES* pipe_attributes = nullptr;
   if (security_attributes.Initialize()) {
@@ -523,11 +711,14 @@ void HelperIpcServerLoop(HANDLE stop_event, DWORD session_id,
         bytes_read > 0) {
       std::string command(buffer, buffer + bytes_read);
       std::string response;
+      bool handled = false;
       if (command == crossdesk::kCrossDeskSessionHelperStatusCommand) {
         response = BuildHelperStatusResponse(helper_state);
       } else if (command == "ping") {
         response = "{\"ok\":true,\"reply\":\"pong\"}";
-      } else {
+      } else if (response = HandleVirtualDisplayCommand(
+                     command, pipe, virtual_display_job, &handled);
+                 !handled) {
         response = BuildErrorJson("unknown_command");
       }
 
@@ -1865,8 +2056,9 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
              GetLastError());
   }
 
+  VirtualDisplayJobState virtual_display_job;
   std::thread ipc_thread(HelperIpcServerLoop, stop_event, current_session_id,
-                         &helper_state);
+                         &helper_state, &virtual_display_job);
 
   std::string last_desktop_name;
   bool last_lock_app = false;
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/usbmmidd_policy.h b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/usbmmidd_policy.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d29932e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/usbmmidd_policy.h
@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+/*
+ * @Author: DI JUNKUN
+ * @Date: 2026-09-20
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 by DI JUNKUN, All Rights Reserved.
+ */
+
+#ifndef CROSSDESK_USBMMIDD_POLICY_H_
+#define CROSSDESK_USBMMIDD_POLICY_H_
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <cstddef>
+#include <cstdlib>
+#include <cwctype>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+namespace crossdesk {
+
+// Amyuni "USB Mobile Monitor" indirect display driver (usbmmidd_v2). The
+// package ships deviceinstaller64.exe, usbmmIdd.inf/.cat and usbmmIdd.dll. It
+// is bundled from apps/desktop/resources/windows/usbmmidd_v2 by the installer
+// and the portable archive; a user may also drop it next to the executables.
+inline constexpr wchar_t kUsbmmiddHardwareId[] = L"usbmmidd";
+// Set when CrossDesk itself installed the driver. The NSIS uninstaller reads
+// it (64-bit registry view) and removes the driver only in that case.
+inline constexpr wchar_t kUsbmmiddInstallMarkerKey[] = L"SOFTWARE\\CrossDesk";
+inline constexpr wchar_t kUsbmmiddInstallMarkerValue[] =
+    L"UsbmmiddDriverInstalled";
+inline constexpr wchar_t kUsbmmiddAdapterDescription[] =
+    L"USB Mobile Monitor Virtual Display";
+#if defined(_WIN64)
+inline constexpr wchar_t kUsbmmiddInstallerName[] = L"deviceinstaller64.exe";
+#else
+inline constexpr wchar_t kUsbmmiddInstallerName[] = L"deviceinstaller.exe";
+#endif
+inline constexpr wchar_t kUsbmmiddInfName[] = L"usbmmidd.inf";
+inline constexpr const wchar_t* kUsbmmiddPackageDirectories[] = {
+    L"usbmmidd_v2", L"usbmmidd", L"drivers\\usbmmidd_v2"};
+// The driver accepts up to four monitors; remote capture needs one.
+inline constexpr int kUsbmmiddMaxMonitors = 4;
+
+// Session helper IPC sub-protocol (see session_helper_shared.h for the pipe).
+// Plug/unplug run asynchronously in the helper; poll the status command.
+inline constexpr char kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayStatusCommand[] =
+    "virtual-display-status";
+inline constexpr char kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayPlugCommandPrefix[] =
+    "virtual-display-plug:";
+inline constexpr char kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayUnplugCommand[] =
+    "virtual-display-unplug";
+
+struct VirtualDisplayMode {
+  int width = 0;
+  int height = 0;
+  bool operator==(const VirtualDisplayMode& other) const {
+    return width == other.width && height == other.height;
+  }
+  bool operator!=(const VirtualDisplayMode& other) const {
+    return !(*this == other);
+  }
+};
+
+inline constexpr VirtualDisplayMode kDefaultVirtualDisplayMode{1920, 1080};
+
+inline bool ContainsCaseInsensitive(const std::wstring& haystack,
+                                    const std::wstring& needle) {
+  if (needle.empty()) return true;
+  if (haystack.size() < needle.size()) return false;
+  const auto it = std::search(
+      haystack.begin(), haystack.end(), needle.begin(), needle.end(),
+      [](wchar_t a, wchar_t b) { return std::towlower(a) == std::towlower(b); });
+  return it != haystack.end();
+}
+
+// EnumDisplayDevices reports the adapter description plus a PnP id such as
+// "PCI\VEN_..." or "ROOT\DISPLAY\0000". The IDD adapter carries the hardware
+// id in its device id; the description is a second signal for older packages.
+inline bool IsUsbmmiddAdapter(const std::wstring& device_string,
+                              const std::wstring& device_id) {
+  return ContainsCaseInsensitive(device_id, kUsbmmiddHardwareId) ||
+         ContainsCaseInsensitive(device_string, kUsbmmiddAdapterDescription);
+}
+
+// Exact match first; otherwise the largest mode that fits inside the request,
+// so a 4K request on a 1080p-only package still yields the best available
+// picture; otherwise the smallest mode the driver offers.
+inline bool ChooseVirtualDisplayMode(
+    const std::vector<VirtualDisplayMode>& supported,
+    VirtualDisplayMode requested, VirtualDisplayMode* chosen) {
+  if (chosen == nullptr || supported.empty()) return false;
+  const VirtualDisplayMode* best = nullptr;
+  const VirtualDisplayMode* smallest = nullptr;
+  auto area = [](const VirtualDisplayMode& mode) {
+    return static_cast<long long>(mode.width) * mode.height;
+  };
+  for (const auto& mode : supported) {
+    if (mode.width <= 0 || mode.height <= 0) continue;
+    if (mode == requested) {
+      *chosen = mode;
+      return true;
+    }
+    if (mode.width <= requested.width && mode.height <= requested.height &&
+        (best == nullptr || area(mode) > area(*best))) {
+      best = &mode;
+    }
+    if (smallest == nullptr || area(mode) < area(*smallest)) smallest = &mode;
+  }
+  if (best != nullptr) {
+    *chosen = *best;
+    return true;
+  }
+  if (smallest != nullptr) {
+    *chosen = *smallest;
+    return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+// "virtual-display-plug:1920x1080"
+inline std::string BuildVirtualDisplayPlugCommand(VirtualDisplayMode mode) {
+  return std::string(kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayPlugCommandPrefix) +
+         std::to_string(mode.width) + "x" + std::to_string(mode.height);
+}
+
+inline bool ParseVirtualDisplayPlugCommand(const std::string& command,
+                                           VirtualDisplayMode* mode) {
+  if (mode == nullptr) return false;
+  const std::string prefix(kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayPlugCommandPrefix);
+  if (command.rfind(prefix, 0) != 0) return false;
+  const std::string payload = command.substr(prefix.size());
+  const size_t separator = payload.find('x');
+  if (separator == std::string::npos || separator == 0 ||
+      separator + 1 >= payload.size()) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  char* end = nullptr;
+  const long width = std::strtol(payload.c_str(), &end, 10);
+  if (end != payload.c_str() + separator) return false;
+  const long height = std::strtol(payload.c_str() + separator + 1, &end, 10);
+  if (end == nullptr || *end != '\0') return false;
+  if (width <= 0 || height <= 0 || width > 16384 || height > 16384) return false;
+  mode->width = static_cast<int>(width);
+  mode->height = static_cast<int>(height);
+  return true;
+}
+
+}  // namespace crossdesk
+
+#endif  // CROSSDESK_USBMMIDD_POLICY_H_
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/usbmmidd_virtual_display.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/usbmmidd_virtual_display.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6b4895a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/usbmmidd_virtual_display.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,384 @@
+/*
+ * @Author: DI JUNKUN
+ * @Date: 2026-09-20
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 by DI JUNKUN, All Rights Reserved.
+ */
+
+#include "usbmmidd_virtual_display.h"
+
+// clang-format off
+#include <Windows.h>
+#include <initguid.h>  // defines GUID_DEVCLASS_DISPLAY in this unit
+#include <SetupAPI.h>
+#include <devguid.h>
+// clang-format on
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "rd_log.h"
+
+namespace crossdesk {
+
+namespace {
+
+constexpr DWORD kInstallerPollIntervalMs = 250;
+constexpr DWORD kDriverInstallTimeoutMs = 90 * 1000;
+constexpr DWORD kInstallerCommandTimeoutMs = 20 * 1000;
+
+std::string Narrow(const std::wstring& value) {
+  if (value.empty()) return {};
+  const int size = WideCharToMultiByte(CP_UTF8, 0, value.data(),
+                                       static_cast<int>(value.size()), nullptr,
+                                       0, nullptr, nullptr);
+  std::string result(static_cast<size_t>((std::max)(size, 0)), '\0');
+  if (size > 0) {
+    WideCharToMultiByte(CP_UTF8, 0, value.data(),
+                        static_cast<int>(value.size()), result.data(), size,
+                        nullptr, nullptr);
+  }
+  return result;
+}
+
+void SetError(std::string* error, const std::string& message) {
+  if (error != nullptr) *error = message;
+}
+
+std::filesystem::path CurrentExecutableDirectory() {
+  wchar_t module_path[MAX_PATH] = {0};
+  const DWORD length = GetModuleFileNameW(nullptr, module_path, MAX_PATH);
+  if (length == 0 || length >= MAX_PATH) return {};
+  return std::filesystem::path(module_path).parent_path();
+}
+
+struct UsbmmiddAdapter {
+  std::wstring device_name;  // \\.\DISPLAYn
+  bool attached_to_desktop = false;
+};
+
+std::vector<UsbmmiddAdapter> EnumerateUsbmmiddAdapters() {
+  std::vector<UsbmmiddAdapter> adapters;
+  for (DWORD index = 0;; ++index) {
+    DISPLAY_DEVICEW device{sizeof(device)};
+    if (!EnumDisplayDevicesW(nullptr, index, &device, 0)) break;
+    if (!IsUsbmmiddAdapter(device.DeviceString, device.DeviceID)) continue;
+    UsbmmiddAdapter adapter;
+    adapter.device_name = device.DeviceName;
+    adapter.attached_to_desktop =
+        (device.StateFlags & DISPLAY_DEVICE_ATTACHED_TO_DESKTOP) != 0;
+    adapters.push_back(std::move(adapter));
+  }
+  return adapters;
+}
+
+// Runs "<installer> <arguments>" hidden with the package folder as the
+// working directory (the installer resolves usbmmIdd.dll relative to it).
+bool RunUsbmmiddInstaller(const UsbmmiddPackage& package,
+                          const std::wstring& arguments, DWORD timeout_ms,
+                          std::string* error) {
+  if (!package.Available()) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_package_missing");
+    return false;
+  }
+  std::wstring command_line =
+      L"\"" + package.installer.wstring() + L"\" " + arguments;
+  STARTUPINFOW startup{};
+  startup.cb = sizeof(startup);
+  PROCESS_INFORMATION process{};
+  const std::wstring working_directory = package.directory.wstring();
+  if (!CreateProcessW(package.installer.c_str(), command_line.data(), nullptr,
+                      nullptr, FALSE, CREATE_NO_WINDOW, nullptr,
+                      working_directory.c_str(), &startup, &process)) {
+    const DWORD code = GetLastError();
+    // 740 (ERROR_ELEVATION_REQUIRED) is the non-elevated GUI fallback path.
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_installer_launch_failed:" + std::to_string(code));
+    return false;
+  }
+  CloseHandle(process.hThread);
+  const DWORD wait = WaitForSingleObject(process.hProcess, timeout_ms);
+  DWORD exit_code = 0;
+  if (wait != WAIT_OBJECT_0) {
+    TerminateProcess(process.hProcess, 1);
+    CloseHandle(process.hProcess);
+    SetError(error, wait == WAIT_TIMEOUT ? "usbmmidd_installer_timeout"
+                                         : "usbmmidd_installer_wait_failed");
+    return false;
+  }
+  GetExitCodeProcess(process.hProcess, &exit_code);
+  CloseHandle(process.hProcess);
+  if (exit_code != 0) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_installer_exit:" + std::to_string(exit_code));
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+// Waits until |predicate| holds or the deadline passes.
+template <typename Predicate>
+bool WaitUntil(DWORD timeout_ms, Predicate predicate) {
+  const ULONGLONG deadline = GetTickCount64() + timeout_ms;
+  while (true) {
+    if (predicate()) return true;
+    const ULONGLONG now = GetTickCount64();
+    if (now >= deadline) return false;
+    Sleep(static_cast<DWORD>(
+        (std::min)(static_cast<ULONGLONG>(kInstallerPollIntervalMs),
+                   deadline - now)));
+  }
+}
+
+// The uninstaller removes the driver only when CrossDesk installed it, so a
+// driver the user set up for other software is left alone. The helper runs as
+// SYSTEM and the in-process path is elevated, so HKLM is writable here; a
+// failure only costs a stale device node after uninstall.
+void MarkUsbmmiddDriverInstalledByCrossDesk() {
+  HKEY key = nullptr;
+  const LONG open = RegCreateKeyExW(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, kUsbmmiddInstallMarkerKey,
+                                    0, nullptr, 0, KEY_SET_VALUE, nullptr, &key,
+                                    nullptr);
+  if (open != ERROR_SUCCESS) {
+    LOG_WARN("usbmmidd: failed to record the driver install marker, error={}",
+             open);
+    return;
+  }
+  const DWORD value = 1;
+  const LONG set = RegSetValueExW(key, kUsbmmiddInstallMarkerValue, 0, REG_DWORD,
+                                  reinterpret_cast<const BYTE*>(&value),
+                                  sizeof(value));
+  RegCloseKey(key);
+  if (set != ERROR_SUCCESS) {
+    LOG_WARN("usbmmidd: failed to record the driver install marker, error={}",
+             set);
+  }
+}
+
+bool DeviceHasUsbmmiddHardwareId(HDEVINFO device_info,
+                                 SP_DEVINFO_DATA* device_data) {
+  DWORD required = 0;
+  SetupDiGetDeviceRegistryPropertyW(device_info, device_data, SPDRP_HARDWAREID,
+                                    nullptr, nullptr, 0, &required);
+  if (required == 0) return false;
+  std::vector<wchar_t> buffer(required / sizeof(wchar_t) + 2, L'\0');
+  if (!SetupDiGetDeviceRegistryPropertyW(
+          device_info, device_data, SPDRP_HARDWAREID, nullptr,
+          reinterpret_cast<BYTE*>(buffer.data()),
+          static_cast<DWORD>(buffer.size() * sizeof(wchar_t)), nullptr)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  // REG_MULTI_SZ: hardware ids separated by NUL, terminated by a double NUL.
+  for (const wchar_t* id = buffer.data(); *id != L'\0'; id += wcslen(id) + 1) {
+    if (ContainsCaseInsensitive(id, kUsbmmiddHardwareId)) return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+std::vector<VirtualDisplayMode> EnumerateModes(const std::wstring& device) {
+  std::vector<VirtualDisplayMode> modes;
+  for (DWORD index = 0;; ++index) {
+    DEVMODEW mode{};
+    mode.dmSize = sizeof(mode);
+    if (!EnumDisplaySettingsExW(device.c_str(), index, &mode, 0)) break;
+    if (mode.dmBitsPerPel != 32) continue;
+    const VirtualDisplayMode candidate{static_cast<int>(mode.dmPelsWidth),
+                                       static_cast<int>(mode.dmPelsHeight)};
+    if (std::find(modes.begin(), modes.end(), candidate) == modes.end()) {
+      modes.push_back(candidate);
+    }
+  }
+  return modes;
+}
+
+}  // namespace
+
+UsbmmiddPackage LocateUsbmmiddPackage() {
+  UsbmmiddPackage package;
+  const std::filesystem::path base = CurrentExecutableDirectory();
+  if (base.empty()) return package;
+  std::error_code ignored;
+  for (const wchar_t* relative : kUsbmmiddPackageDirectories) {
+    const std::filesystem::path directory = base / relative;
+    const std::filesystem::path installer = directory / kUsbmmiddInstallerName;
+    if (!std::filesystem::is_regular_file(installer, ignored)) continue;
+    package.directory = directory;
+    package.installer = installer;
+    const std::filesystem::path inf = directory / kUsbmmiddInfName;
+    if (std::filesystem::is_regular_file(inf, ignored)) package.inf = inf;
+    break;
+  }
+  return package;
+}
+
+int CountUsbmmiddMonitors() {
+  int count = 0;
+  for (const auto& adapter : EnumerateUsbmmiddAdapters()) {
+    if (adapter.attached_to_desktop) ++count;
+  }
+  return count;
+}
+
+bool IsUsbmmiddDriverInstalled() {
+  const HDEVINFO device_info = SetupDiGetClassDevsW(
+      &GUID_DEVCLASS_DISPLAY, nullptr, nullptr, DIGCF_PRESENT);
+  if (device_info == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
+    // Fall back to the adapter list; it misses an installed-but-idle driver.
+    return !EnumerateUsbmmiddAdapters().empty();
+  }
+  bool installed = false;
+  SP_DEVINFO_DATA device_data{};
+  device_data.cbSize = sizeof(device_data);
+  for (DWORD index = 0;
+       !installed && SetupDiEnumDeviceInfo(device_info, index, &device_data);
+       ++index) {
+    installed = DeviceHasUsbmmiddHardwareId(device_info, &device_data);
+  }
+  SetupDiDestroyDeviceInfoList(device_info);
+  return installed || !EnumerateUsbmmiddAdapters().empty();
+}
+
+UsbmmiddStatus QueryUsbmmiddStatus() {
+  UsbmmiddStatus status;
+  const UsbmmiddPackage package = LocateUsbmmiddPackage();
+  status.package_available = package.Available();
+  status.package_directory = Narrow(package.directory.wstring());
+  status.driver_installed = IsUsbmmiddDriverInstalled();
+  status.plugged_monitors = CountUsbmmiddMonitors();
+  return status;
+}
+
+bool InstallUsbmmiddDriver(const UsbmmiddPackage& package, std::string* error) {
+  if (IsUsbmmiddDriverInstalled()) return true;
+  if (package.inf.empty()) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_inf_missing");
+    return false;
+  }
+  LOG_INFO("usbmmidd: installing driver from '{}'",
+           Narrow(package.directory.wstring()));
+  const std::wstring arguments = L"install \"" + package.inf.wstring() +
+                                 L"\" " + kUsbmmiddHardwareId;
+  if (!RunUsbmmiddInstaller(package, arguments, kDriverInstallTimeoutMs,
+                            error)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (!WaitUntil(5000, IsUsbmmiddDriverInstalled)) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_driver_not_present_after_install");
+    return false;
+  }
+  MarkUsbmmiddDriverInstalledByCrossDesk();
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool PlugUsbmmiddMonitor(const UsbmmiddPackage& package, DWORD timeout_ms,
+                         std::string* error) {
+  const int before = CountUsbmmiddMonitors();
+  if (before >= kUsbmmiddMaxMonitors) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_monitor_limit");
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (!RunUsbmmiddInstaller(package, L"enableidd 1",
+                            kInstallerCommandTimeoutMs, error)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (!WaitUntil(timeout_ms,
+                 [before] { return CountUsbmmiddMonitors() > before; })) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_monitor_not_attached");
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool UnplugUsbmmiddMonitor(const UsbmmiddPackage& package, DWORD timeout_ms,
+                           std::string* error) {
+  const int before = CountUsbmmiddMonitors();
+  if (before == 0) return true;
+  if (!RunUsbmmiddInstaller(package, L"enableidd 0",
+                            kInstallerCommandTimeoutMs, error)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (!WaitUntil(timeout_ms,
+                 [before] { return CountUsbmmiddMonitors() < before; })) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_monitor_still_attached");
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool ApplyUsbmmiddDisplayMode(VirtualDisplayMode requested,
+                              std::string* error) {
+  std::wstring device;
+  for (const auto& adapter : EnumerateUsbmmiddAdapters()) {
+    if (adapter.attached_to_desktop) {
+      device = adapter.device_name;
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+  if (device.empty()) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_monitor_not_attached");
+    return false;
+  }
+  VirtualDisplayMode chosen;
+  if (!ChooseVirtualDisplayMode(EnumerateModes(device), requested, &chosen)) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_no_display_modes");
+    return false;
+  }
+  DEVMODEW current{};
+  current.dmSize = sizeof(current);
+  if (EnumDisplaySettingsExW(device.c_str(), ENUM_CURRENT_SETTINGS, &current,
+                             0) &&
+      static_cast<int>(current.dmPelsWidth) == chosen.width &&
+      static_cast<int>(current.dmPelsHeight) == chosen.height) {
+    return true;
+  }
+  DEVMODEW mode{};
+  mode.dmSize = sizeof(mode);
+  mode.dmFields = DM_PELSWIDTH | DM_PELSHEIGHT | DM_BITSPERPEL;
+  mode.dmPelsWidth = static_cast<DWORD>(chosen.width);
+  mode.dmPelsHeight = static_cast<DWORD>(chosen.height);
+  mode.dmBitsPerPel = 32;
+  const LONG result = ChangeDisplaySettingsExW(device.c_str(), &mode, nullptr,
+                                               CDS_UPDATEREGISTRY, nullptr);
+  if (result != DISP_CHANGE_SUCCESSFUL) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_mode_change_failed:" + std::to_string(result));
+    return false;
+  }
+  LOG_INFO("usbmmidd: display '{}' set to {}x{} (requested {}x{})",
+           Narrow(device), chosen.width, chosen.height, requested.width,
+           requested.height);
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool ProvisionUsbmmiddDisplay(VirtualDisplayMode mode, int* plugged,
+                              std::string* error) {
+  if (plugged != nullptr) *plugged = 0;
+  const UsbmmiddPackage package = LocateUsbmmiddPackage();
+  if (!package.Available()) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_package_missing");
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (!InstallUsbmmiddDriver(package, error)) return false;
+  if (CountUsbmmiddMonitors() == 0) {
+    if (!PlugUsbmmiddMonitor(package, 10 * 1000, error)) return false;
+    if (plugged != nullptr) *plugged = 1;
+  }
+  std::string mode_error;
+  if (!ApplyUsbmmiddDisplayMode(mode, &mode_error)) {
+    LOG_WARN("usbmmidd: keeping the driver default mode, error={}", mode_error);
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool ReleaseUsbmmiddDisplays(int count, std::string* error) {
+  const int to_unplug = (std::min)(count, CountUsbmmiddMonitors());
+  if (to_unplug <= 0) return true;
+  const UsbmmiddPackage package = LocateUsbmmiddPackage();
+  if (!package.Available()) {
+    SetError(error, "usbmmidd_package_missing");
+    return false;
+  }
+  for (int index = 0; index < to_unplug; ++index) {
+    if (!UnplugUsbmmiddMonitor(package, 10 * 1000, error)) return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+}  // namespace crossdesk
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/usbmmidd_virtual_display.h b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/usbmmidd_virtual_display.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3c7963ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/usbmmidd_virtual_display.h
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+/*
+ * @Author: DI JUNKUN
+ * @Date: 2026-09-20
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 by DI JUNKUN, All Rights Reserved.
+ */
+
+#ifndef CROSSDESK_USBMMIDD_VIRTUAL_DISPLAY_H_
+#define CROSSDESK_USBMMIDD_VIRTUAL_DISPLAY_H_
+
+#include <Windows.h>
+
+#include <filesystem>
+#include <string>
+
+#include "usbmmidd_policy.h"
+
+namespace crossdesk {
+
+// Plug/unplug talks to the driver through Amyuni's installer and needs
+// administrator rights inside the interactive session. The session helper
+// (SYSTEM, console session) is the intended caller; the GUI only calls these
+// directly when it is elevated and no helper is reachable.
+
+struct UsbmmiddPackage {
+  std::filesystem::path directory;
+  std::filesystem::path installer;
+  std::filesystem::path inf;  // empty when only the installer is present
+  bool Available() const { return !installer.empty(); }
+};
+
+// Looks next to the running executable (usbmmidd_v2\, usbmmidd\,
+// drivers\usbmmidd_v2\). Both the GUI and the helper live in the same folder.
+UsbmmiddPackage LocateUsbmmiddPackage();
+
+struct UsbmmiddStatus {
+  bool package_available = false;
+  bool driver_installed = false;
+  int plugged_monitors = 0;
+  std::string package_directory;
+};
+UsbmmiddStatus QueryUsbmmiddStatus();
+
+// Adapters attached to the desktop, i.e. monitors currently plugged in.
+int CountUsbmmiddMonitors();
+// Root-enumerated device node present, plugged or not.
+bool IsUsbmmiddDriverInstalled();
+
+// Each step is idempotent so a retry after a partial failure converges.
+bool InstallUsbmmiddDriver(const UsbmmiddPackage& package, std::string* error);
+bool PlugUsbmmiddMonitor(const UsbmmiddPackage& package, DWORD timeout_ms,
+                         std::string* error);
+bool UnplugUsbmmiddMonitor(const UsbmmiddPackage& package, DWORD timeout_ms,
+                           std::string* error);
+// Applies the closest supported mode to the first plugged usbmmidd monitor.
+bool ApplyUsbmmiddDisplayMode(VirtualDisplayMode requested, std::string* error);
+
+// Installs the driver on first use, plugs one monitor when none is attached
+// and applies |mode|. A mode failure is logged but keeps the display.
+// |plugged| receives how many monitors this call plugged (0 when an existing
+// usbmmidd monitor was reused) so the caller can release exactly those.
+bool ProvisionUsbmmiddDisplay(VirtualDisplayMode mode, int* plugged,
+                              std::string* error);
+// Unplugs up to |count| usbmmidd monitors, never more than are attached. A
+// monitor plugged by the user or another program is left alone.
+bool ReleaseUsbmmiddDisplays(int count, std::string* error);
+
+}  // namespace crossdesk
+
+#endif  // CROSSDESK_USBMMIDD_VIRTUAL_DISPLAY_H_
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/virtual_display_provisioner.cpp b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/virtual_display_provisioner.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5fc7e94d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/virtual_display_provisioner.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,263 @@
+/*
+ * @Author: DI JUNKUN
+ * @Date: 2026-09-20
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 by DI JUNKUN, All Rights Reserved.
+ */
+
+#include "virtual_display_provisioner.h"
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <functional>
+#include <nlohmann/json.hpp>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "display_presence.h"
+#include "named_pipe_deadline.h"
+#include "rd_log.h"
+#include "session_helper_shared.h"
+#include "usbmmidd_virtual_display.h"
+
+namespace crossdesk {
+
+namespace {
+
+using Json = nlohmann::json;
+
+constexpr DWORD kHelperStatusTimeoutMs = 500;
+constexpr DWORD kHelperCommandTimeoutMs = 2000;
+constexpr DWORD kHelperPollIntervalMs = 250;
+constexpr DWORD kPlugTimeoutMs = 20 * 1000;
+constexpr DWORD kInstallAndPlugTimeoutMs = 120 * 1000;
+constexpr DWORD kUnplugTimeoutMs = 10 * 1000;
+constexpr DWORD kPresenceSettleTimeoutMs = 5 * 1000;
+
+struct HelperVirtualDisplayStatus {
+  bool ok = false;
+  bool package_available = false;
+  bool driver_installed = false;
+  int plugged_monitors = 0;
+  bool busy = false;
+  std::string last_error;
+  std::string error;  // transport or helper-reported error
+};
+
+std::wstring OwnSessionHelperPipeName() {
+  DWORD session_id = 0xFFFFFFFF;
+  if (!ProcessIdToSessionId(GetCurrentProcessId(), &session_id)) return {};
+  return GetCrossDeskSessionHelperPipeName(session_id);
+}
+
+bool QueryHelper(const std::wstring& pipe, const std::string& command,
+                 DWORD timeout_ms, Json* json, std::string* error) {
+  std::vector<uint8_t> response;
+  DWORD code = 0;
+  if (!QueryNamedPipeWithDeadline(pipe, command, timeout_ms, &response, error,
+                                  &code)) {
+    *error += ":" + std::to_string(code);
+    return false;
+  }
+  *json = Json::parse(response.begin(), response.end(), nullptr, false);
+  if (json->is_discarded() || !json->is_object()) {
+    *error = "invalid_helper_json";
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (!json->value("ok", false)) {
+    *error = json->value("error", std::string("helper_error"));
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+HelperVirtualDisplayStatus QueryHelperStatus(const std::wstring& pipe) {
+  HelperVirtualDisplayStatus status;
+  Json json;
+  if (!QueryHelper(pipe, kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayStatusCommand,
+                   kHelperStatusTimeoutMs, &json, &status.error)) {
+    return status;
+  }
+  status.ok = true;
+  status.package_available = json.value("package_available", false);
+  status.driver_installed = json.value("driver_installed", false);
+  status.plugged_monitors = json.value("plugged_monitors", 0);
+  status.busy = json.value("busy", false);
+  status.last_error = json.value("last_error", std::string());
+  return status;
+}
+
+// Waits for the helper job to finish; returns false with the job's error.
+// |cancelled| stops the wait early (the helper job itself keeps running).
+bool WaitForHelperJob(const std::wstring& pipe, DWORD timeout_ms,
+                      const std::function<bool()>& cancelled,
+                      HelperVirtualDisplayStatus* final_status,
+                      std::string* error) {
+  const ULONGLONG deadline = GetTickCount64() + timeout_ms;
+  while (true) {
+    *final_status = QueryHelperStatus(pipe);
+    if (!final_status->ok) {
+      *error = final_status->error;
+      return false;
+    }
+    if (!final_status->busy) {
+      if (!final_status->last_error.empty()) {
+        *error = final_status->last_error;
+        return false;
+      }
+      return true;
+    }
+    if (cancelled()) {
+      *error = "cancelled";
+      return false;
+    }
+    if (GetTickCount64() >= deadline) {
+      *error = "helper_job_timeout";
+      return false;
+    }
+    Sleep(kHelperPollIntervalMs);
+  }
+}
+
+bool WaitForDisplayPresence(DWORD timeout_ms,
+                            const std::function<bool()>& cancelled) {
+  const ULONGLONG deadline = GetTickCount64() + timeout_ms;
+  while (true) {
+    if (ClassifyDisplayPresence(ProbeDisplayPresence()) ==
+        DisplayPresence::present) {
+      return true;
+    }
+    if (cancelled() || GetTickCount64() >= deadline) return false;
+    Sleep(kHelperPollIntervalMs);
+  }
+}
+
+}  // namespace
+
+bool VirtualDisplayProvisioner::AcquireViaHelper(VirtualDisplayMode mode,
+                                                 std::string* error,
+                                                 bool* helper_reachable) {
+  *helper_reachable = false;
+  const std::wstring pipe = OwnSessionHelperPipeName();
+  if (pipe.empty()) {
+    *error = "session_id_unavailable";
+    return false;
+  }
+  HelperVirtualDisplayStatus status = QueryHelperStatus(pipe);
+  if (!status.ok) {
+    *error = status.error;
+    return false;
+  }
+  *helper_reachable = true;
+  if (!status.package_available) {
+    *error = "usbmmidd_package_missing";
+    return false;
+  }
+  const auto cancelled = [this] { return Cancelled(); };
+  if (status.busy) {
+    // A previous unplug may still be running; let it finish first.
+    if (!WaitForHelperJob(pipe, kUnplugTimeoutMs, cancelled, &status, error))
+      return false;
+  }
+  Json json;
+  if (!QueryHelper(pipe, BuildVirtualDisplayPlugCommand(mode),
+                   kHelperCommandTimeoutMs, &json, error)) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  const DWORD timeout =
+      status.driver_installed ? kPlugTimeoutMs : kInstallAndPlugTimeoutMs;
+  if (!WaitForHelperJob(pipe, timeout, cancelled, &status, error)) {
+    // The helper finishes the plug on its own; Release() must undo it.
+    if (*error == "cancelled") pending_helper_release_ = true;
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (status.plugged_monitors <= 0) {
+    *error = "usbmmidd_monitor_not_attached";
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool VirtualDisplayProvisioner::AcquireLocally(VirtualDisplayMode mode,
+                                               std::string* error) {
+  if (!LocateUsbmmiddPackage().Available()) {
+    *error = "usbmmidd_package_missing";
+    return false;
+  }
+  return ProvisionUsbmmiddDisplay(mode, &plugged_locally_, error);
+}
+
+bool VirtualDisplayProvisioner::Acquire(VirtualDisplayMode mode,
+                                        std::string* error) {
+  std::string local_error;
+  if (error == nullptr) error = &local_error;
+  if (active_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed)) return true;
+  cancel_.store(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+
+  bool helper_reachable = false;
+  const ULONGLONG started = GetTickCount64();
+  bool ok = AcquireViaHelper(mode, error, &helper_reachable);
+  if (ok) {
+    via_helper_ = true;
+  } else if (!helper_reachable && *error != "cancelled") {
+    LOG_INFO("Virtual display: session helper unreachable ({}), trying "
+             "in-process provisioning",
+             *error);
+    ok = AcquireLocally(mode, error);
+    via_helper_ = false;
+  }
+  if (!ok) {
+    LOG_WARN("Virtual display: provisioning failed after {} ms, error={}",
+             GetTickCount64() - started, *error);
+    return false;
+  }
+  // The desktop moves onto the new target asynchronously; DXGI needs it.
+  if (!WaitForDisplayPresence(kPresenceSettleTimeoutMs,
+                              [this] { return Cancelled(); })) {
+    LOG_WARN("Virtual display: monitor plugged but no display target became "
+             "available within {} ms",
+             kPresenceSettleTimeoutMs);
+  }
+  active_.store(true, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  LOG_INFO("Virtual display: usbmmidd monitor ready via {} in {} ms "
+           "(requested {}x{})",
+           via_helper_ ? "session helper" : "this process",
+           GetTickCount64() - started, mode.width, mode.height);
+  return true;
+}
+
+void VirtualDisplayProvisioner::Release() {
+  const bool was_active = active_.exchange(false, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+  // via_helper_ is only set by a completed helper plug; a cancelled one is
+  // tracked by pending_helper_release_ instead.
+  const bool release_helper =
+      (via_helper_ && was_active) || pending_helper_release_;
+  const bool release_local = !release_helper && plugged_locally_ > 0;
+  if (!release_helper && !release_local) return;
+  std::string error;
+  bool ok = false;
+  if (release_helper) {
+    const std::wstring pipe = OwnSessionHelperPipeName();
+    Json json;
+    HelperVirtualDisplayStatus status;
+    ok = !pipe.empty() &&
+         QueryHelper(pipe, kCrossDeskVirtualDisplayUnplugCommand,
+                     kHelperCommandTimeoutMs, &json, &error);
+    // Wait for the unplug so a Start() right after this Stop() probes the
+    // desktop without the outgoing monitor. A plug still running in the helper
+    // queues the unplug behind itself; the next Acquire() waits for that job.
+    if (ok && !json.value("queued", false)) {
+      ok = WaitForHelperJob(pipe, kUnplugTimeoutMs, [] { return false; },
+                            &status, &error);
+    }
+    if (ok) pending_helper_release_ = false;
+  } else {
+    ok = ReleaseUsbmmiddDisplays(plugged_locally_, &error);
+    if (ok) plugged_locally_ = 0;
+  }
+  if (ok) {
+    LOG_INFO("Virtual display: usbmmidd monitor released");
+  } else {
+    LOG_WARN("Virtual display: release failed, error={}", error);
+  }
+}
+
+}  // namespace crossdesk
diff --git a/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/virtual_display_provisioner.h b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/virtual_display_provisioner.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..00260adf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/virtual_display_provisioner.h
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+/*
+ * @Author: DI JUNKUN
+ * @Date: 2026-09-20
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 by DI JUNKUN, All Rights Reserved.
+ */
+
+#ifndef CROSSDESK_VIRTUAL_DISPLAY_PROVISIONER_H_
+#define CROSSDESK_VIRTUAL_DISPLAY_PROVISIONER_H_
+
+#include <Windows.h>
+
+#include <atomic>
+#include <string>
+
+#include "usbmmidd_policy.h"
+
+namespace crossdesk {
+
+// Session-scoped usbmmidd virtual display for a host without any monitor.
+// Acquire() asks the session helper (SYSTEM in the console session) to
+// install/plug the driver; without a reachable helper an elevated GUI does it
+// itself. Release() unplugs only what this object plugged.
+class VirtualDisplayProvisioner {
+ public:
+  VirtualDisplayProvisioner() = default;
+  ~VirtualDisplayProvisioner() { Release(); }
+  VirtualDisplayProvisioner(const VirtualDisplayProvisioner&) = delete;
+  VirtualDisplayProvisioner& operator=(const VirtualDisplayProvisioner&) =
+      delete;
+
+  bool Acquire(VirtualDisplayMode mode, std::string* error);
+  void Release();
+  bool active() const { return active_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed); }
+  // True when Release() has something to undo. Read on the owner's thread
+  // after the provisioning worker has been joined.
+  bool NeedsRelease() const {
+    return active() || pending_helper_release_ || plugged_locally_ > 0;
+  }
+  // Makes a blocking Acquire() return early with "cancelled" at its next poll
+  // (helper install/plug can take up to two minutes). Cleared by Acquire().
+  void RequestCancel() { cancel_.store(true, std::memory_order_relaxed); }
+
+ private:
+  // |helper_reachable| tells the caller whether a local fallback makes sense.
+  bool AcquireViaHelper(VirtualDisplayMode mode, std::string* error,
+                        bool* helper_reachable);
+  bool AcquireLocally(VirtualDisplayMode mode, std::string* error);
+  bool Cancelled() const { return cancel_.load(std::memory_order_relaxed); }
+
+  // Acquire/Release run on the owner's provisioning worker; active() and
+  // RequestCancel() are used from other threads.
+  std::atomic<bool> active_{false};
+  std::atomic<bool> cancel_{false};
+  bool via_helper_ = false;
+  // A cancelled helper plug still completes in the helper; Release() undoes it.
+  bool pending_helper_release_ = false;
+  // Monitors plugged by this process (helper-plugged ones are tracked there).
+  int plugged_locally_ = 0;
+};
+
+}  // namespace crossdesk
+
+#endif  // CROSSDESK_VIRTUAL_DISPLAY_PROVISIONER_H_
diff --git a/apps/desktop/xmake/targets.lua b/apps/desktop/xmake/targets.lua
index 5be86822..f3114a48 100644
--- a/apps/desktop/xmake/targets.lua
+++ b/apps/desktop/xmake/targets.lua
@@ -230,9 +230,13 @@ function setup_targets()
                 "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_gdi.cpp",
                 "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_win.cpp",
                 "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer/screen_capturer_factory.cpp")
+            add_files("apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/usbmmidd_virtual_display.cpp",
+                "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/virtual_display_provisioner.cpp")
             add_includedirs("apps/desktop/src/platform/windows",
                 "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer",
-                "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service")
+                "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service",
+                "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display")
+            add_syslinks("Setupapi", {public = true})
         elseif is_os("macosx") then
             add_deps("privacy")
             add_mxxflags("-fobjc-arc")
@@ -470,13 +474,15 @@ function setup_targets()
             set_kind("binary")
             add_packages("libyuv")
             add_deps("rd_log", "path_manager")
-            add_links("Advapi32", "User32", "Wtsapi32", "Gdi32")
+            add_links("Advapi32", "User32", "Wtsapi32", "Gdi32", "Setupapi")
             add_files("apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service/session_helper_main.cpp")
+            add_files("apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display/usbmmidd_virtual_display.cpp")
             add_files("apps/desktop/resources/windows/crossdesk_session_helper.rc",
                 {defines = windows_helper_resource_defines})
             add_includedirs("apps/desktop/src/common",
                 "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/service",
-                "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer")
+                "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/screen_capturer",
+                "apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/virtual_display")
             add_includedirs("apps/desktop/src/platform/windows/input",
                 "apps/desktop/src/platform/common/input")
             add_includedirs("libs/wire/include")