Vista Tutorial - DPI Scaling

**Brink**

How to Change the DPI Scale in Vista

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

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

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. For more about Safe Mode, see: How to Start Vista in Safe Mode

RELATED LINKS:

Here's How:

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

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

3. Click Continue for 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. See: How to Boot Up in and Use Advanced Boot Options in Vista

A) To Increase the Size of Items on the Screen -
Dot Larger scale (120 DPI)–make text more readable and click OK. (See screenshot above)

B) To Decrease the Size of Items on the Screen -
Dot Default scale (96 DPI)–fit more information and click 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 OK twice.

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

That's it,
Shawn

vdoyle · 11-05-2007

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?

**Brink** · 11-05-2007

	Quote:	vdoyle
	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.

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

KuRsE360 · 06-28-2008

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?

**Brink** · 06-28-2008

Hell KuRsE,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

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

Shawn

dude123 · 09-20-2008

Dude i cant find the personalitle thingy, cuz when i right click its not there
there is only properties!

**Brink** · 09-20-2008

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

weisjohn · 10-15-2008

I documented a registry hack here: http://www.johnweis/blog/?p=56

It works great for DPI settings less than 96 DPI.

There is one problem though, it breaks many of the old NT dialogs. Does anyone have a better way?