DPI Scaling

How to Change the Display DPI Scale in Vista

information   Information
This will show you how to change the DPI (Dots per Inch) Scale to allow all items on your display screen to be smaller or larger.
Note   Note
If you set the DPI higher than 96, and you are running Windows Aero, the text and other items on the screen might appear blurry in some programs that are not designed for high–DPI display in Vista. If this is a problem you are having, you can help avoid this issue by using Windows XP–style DPI scaling. (See step 4C below)
warning   Warning
Do not set the DPI to high or everything will extend way past the display screen, making them distorted and unreadable. If this happens, then boot into Safe Mode and change the DPI scaling to a smaller number.





OPTION ONE
Change DPI Through Display Settings

1. Right click on a empty area of your desktop and click on Personalize. (See screenshot below)
Right_Click.jpg

2. In left pane, click on Adjust font size (DPI). (See screenshot below)​
Adjust_font_Size(DPI).jpg

3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.​
4. In the DPI Scaling dialog box, do one of the following: (See screenshot below)​
NOTE: If this is to big to see your options, then boot into Safe Mode and change the DPI scaling to a smaller number.
DPI_Scaling.jpg
A) To Increase the Size of Items on the Screen
  • Dot Larger scale (120 DPI)–make text more readable and click on OK. (See screenshot above)
B) To Decrease the Size of Items on the Screen
  • Dot Default scale (96 DPI)–fit more information and click on OK. (See screenshot above)
C) To Create a Custom DPI Size

  • Click the Custom DPI button. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: You will not be able to go lower than 96 pixels per inch or 100% in Custom DPI.

  • Enter the percentage you want the DPI size to be in the Scale to this percentage of normal size: list. (See screenshot below) NOTE: You can also click and hold on the Inch Scale below this and move it to change the percentage.
  • Check the Use Windows XP style DPI scaling to make text and items clearer in programs that are not designed for higher DPI settings than 96.
  • Click on OK twice.
Custom_DPI_Setting.jpg

5. Click the Restart Now button to restart the computer to apply the changes. (See screenshot below)​
Restart_Now.jpg





OPTION TWO
To Restore Default 96 DPI Using a REG File Download


NOTE: This can be handy if you accidentally set the DPI to large and everything is extended way past the display screen, making them distorted and unreadable. You can also boot into Safe Mode and change the DPI scaling back to a smaller number using a option above.

1. Click on the download button below to download the file below.​
Restore_Default_96_DPI.reg
download

2. Save the .reg file to the desktop.​
3. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.​
4. Click on Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted.​
5. Log off and Log on, or restart the computer to apply changes.​
6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​
That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

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  • Display.png
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Last edited:
I did change the DPI, but when I went back in to change to a smaller size, it would not let me do it. I am stuck on the larger custom size I chose first, it will not let me go back to the 120 that I want...any suggestions?
 

My Computer

I did change the DPI, but when I went back in to change to a smaller size, it would not let me do it. I am stuck on the larger custom size I chose first, it will not let me go back to the 120 that I want...any suggestions?

Hi Vdoyle,

Welcome to the forum. :party:

Just so I can be clear, it will not let you pick between 96 or 120 DPI and/or adjust the Custom DPI back to 100% ?

If not, you can boot into Safe Mode and try changing the DPI from within it.

How to Boot Up in and Use Advanced Boot Options in Vista

Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
i have about the same problem but the thing is that I can't go into the themes, display settings and the adjust font size menu. Please can someone help?
 

My Computer

Hell KuRsE,

Welcome to Vista Forums. :party:

Are the options not available to you, or are you receiving any kind of error?

Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Hi Dude, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Be sure to right click on a empty space on your desktop to see Personalize in the contect menu. If you are seeing Properties, then you are right clicking on a shortcut or in a Windows Explorer window.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
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