A mobile terminal comprising a communication interface configured to communicatively connect to an external display device. The mobile terminal further comprises a display; and a controller configured to: while the mobile terminal is communicatively connected to the external display device via the communication interface, execute a desktop mode whereby the mobile terminal transmits a default desktop window screen, via the communication interface to the external display device. While the mobile terminal is communicatively connected to the external display device via the communication interface, and while the external display device is displaying the default desktop window screen including a plurality of desktop shortcut icons corresponding to a plurality of applications executable on the external display device, the controller is configured to determine whether a control event for a desktop window environment task occurs, wherein a control event is a user input for selecting one of the plurality of desktop shortcut icons displayed on the external display device. If a control event occurs, the controller is configured to execute an application represented by the selected shortcut icon and transmit to the external device an application desktop window screen having a layout appropriate for the desktop window environment of the external display device.