Set Windows text size

There are numerous ways to access settings in Windows, and everyone has their own way. Two fast ways to access Display settings; one is to right-click on the desktop where the is no open application or icons. A menu will open, locate and select Display settings. Another way to open Display settings is to select the Start menu, the Settings gear, then System.

Display settings scale and layout

The scale settings are sort of like zoom for fonts. It allows you to make fonts and other elements larger without changing the entire windows and all its elements in size. Changing the scale is immediate and can be seen right away. If the fonts are too large, then select a lower setting. Some applications do not do well with scaling, so it is best to set a scaling percentage and then open the applications you use to see if everything works properly. Some applications may not show the font properly or block some of the text. Choosing a setting of 125% or 150% does not tend to cause issues with applications and therefore are the recommended scaling percentages to use. At higher resolutions such as 4K, Microsoft recommends a setting of 300%, which is too large, as seen pictured below.

Steps 1 and 2

Click on the Start menu. Then click on the Settings icon. It looks like a gear.

First click on the Windows 10 Start menu, then select the Settings gear icon.

Step 1
Set scaling percentage

To quickly open Display, right-click anywhere on the desktop background image. Then select Display settings near the bottom of the menu.

Select the drop-down arrow to adjust the Windows system scaling or DPI (dots per inch).

Lowering the Resolution, which we are not doing here, can also enlarge fonts. However, this affects the entire screen, making everything larger and offering a smaller overall workspace, and therefore it is preferred to use Scale and layout when possible. However, sometimes changing the Resolution and scaling produces the desired effect.

To open display settings select an area of the destop where the is no open application, or icons and right click. A menu will open, locate and select Display settings.

Step 2
Select scaling

Select the preferred scaling from the list. The setting will automatically preview. If it is too large, try a different setting.

The Recommended setting of 300% is too large and is not recommended. The recommendation Windows suggests varies depending on the monitor's resolution.

It may not be visible right away, but settings above 150% can cause fonts or text not to display correctly with certain applications.

Select the prefered

Step 3
Sign out now (optional)

Be sure all applications are saved and closed before clicking Sign out now.

This may be done later and is not required. Restart when ready to ensure all applications are using the new scaling setting.

Be sure all applications are saved and closed before clicking Sign out now.

Step 4
Multiple monitors

If you have more than one monitor, you will see the additional box with the monitor numerically represented. Each monitor that needs adjusting must be selected by clicking on the numbered box and scaling set.

The dark highlighted monitor #1 is the currently selected monitor.

The #2 monitor is smaller because its Resolution is 1080p. Monitor #1 has a resolution of 4K or 3840 x 2160, four times the size of monitor #2. That is why the image is one-quarter that of monitor #1.

If you have more than one monitor you will see something like this. Each monitor that needs adjusting must be selected, and its DPI scaling set.

Other Display settings

Blue light is emitted from modern screens, leading to digital eye strain. Reducing blue light emitted from the screen can help. Microsoft has implemented a technique called Night light.

Night Light

Night light is designed to lower the blue light emitted from monitors. Blue light is said to affect sleep patterns by reducing melatonin.

If you are using your computer at night and having trouble sleeping, give it Night light a try.

Nightlight settings allow you to adjust your monitors color temperature when Nightlight is on and set a schedule.

Night light is designed to lower the blue light emitted from monitors. Blue light is said to affect sleep patterns by reducing melatonin.

HDR and advanced color

HDR and advanced color will only show if your monitor supports a high dynamic range. Windows 10 tends to flatten and darken images when HDR and the advanced color is enabled. It is as simple as turning it on and seeing if you like the results if you have the option. With time Microsoft should be able to improve the results.

Orientation is to allow for screen rotation. It is the same setting as when printing. The choices are landscape and portrait. Most consumer monitor stands do not qualify for this. However, if your screen is ever rotated 90 degrees, then Orientation is where you go to fix it.