The scale feature on Windows 11 allows you to change the size of text, apps, and other visual elements on the screen, and in this guide, we’ll show how you configure this feature so that elements don’t look too small or too big.
Usually, you don’t have to think about the dots per inch (DPI) scaling settings on regular displays since they offer a more natural size. However, this could be a problem on laptops or monitors with high-resolution panels (such as 4K or higher resolution panels) that make elements and text too small to read. Also, even though Windows 11 can automatically configure an optimal scale setting for you, the system can sometimes choose an option that shows elements too big on the screen.
Whatever the situation, Windows 11 includes at least two ways to change the size of elements on the screen using the Settings app.
This guide will teach you how to use a custom scale size on Windows 11.
- Change display scale with custom size on Windows 11
- Change display scale with predefined sizes on Windows 11
Change display scale with custom size on Windows 11
To change the scale size of a display on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Settings on Windows 11.
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Click on System.
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Under the “Scale & layout” section, click the Scale setting.
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Use the “Custom scaling” setting and specify the custom scaling size between 100% and 500% on Windows 11.
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Click the Check button.
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Click the Sign out now button.
Once you complete the steps, sign back in to start using the custom scaling on Windows 11.
If you want to revert to the previous setting, you can use the same instructions, but on step 3, click the “Turn off custom scaling and sign out” option.
Change display scale with predefined sizes on Windows 11
To use a different DPI scale size on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Settings.
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Click on System.
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Under the “Scale & layout” section, use the Scale settings and select one of the predefined sizes, including 100%, 125%, 150%, and 175%.
After you complete the steps, you may need to restart some applications to reflect the new scale size.
If you want to revert the changes, you can use the same instructions, but in step 3, select the “Recommended” size.
You don’t have to change the scale settings if you only want to make the text on the screen bigger. If so, adjust the display text size with these instructions.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].