Make elements bigger or smaller in Windows 11

If elements are too small and text too hard to read, you probably need to adjust the scale settings.

Although Windows 11 can configure the display scaling settings automatically to make sure that elements (text, icons, navigations, and others) are the right size and readable, it's not perfect, and sometimes adjusting the settings manually may be necessary.

For instance, if you do not have perfect eyesight, making the elements bigger on the screen could make things easier to see and use, avoiding stressing your eyes. If you connect an external monitor, using a custom scale setting can help increase the size of the text, icons, and menus across the displays. Changing Windows 11 scale may also improve the viewing of the desktop while showing a PowerPoint presentation on a projector.

In this Windows 11 guide, we will walk you through the steps to change the scale settings on a desktop monitor or laptop display.

• How to change display scale with recommended settings on Windows 11
• How to change display scale with custom settings on Windows 11
• How to make text bigger without changing scale settings on Windows 11  

How to change display scale with recommended settings on Windows 11

To change a Windows 11 display scale size using the recommended settings, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Display page on the right side.

4. Under the "Scale & layout" section, use the Scale drop-down menu and select the scale setting — for example, 100%, 125%, 150%, and 175%.

   

Once you complete the steps, the new screen display scale will apply. Although it's not required, you may need to restart the computer to make sure the setting applies correctly.

How to change display scale with custom settings on Windows 11

You shouldn't change the scale settings using custom values because it affects the viewing experience. However, if it's necessary and you do it correctly, it may work just fine.

To set a custom scale size of a display, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Display page on the right side.

4. Under the "Scale & layout" section, select the Scale setting.

   

5. Under the "Custom scaling" section, configure a custom scaling size between 100% to 500%.

   

   Quick tip: If you want to increase the size of text, apps, and other items, you can try using 110% as the new scale value.

6. Click the Check button.
7. Click the Sign out now button.
8. Sign back into the account.

After you complete the steps, the system will apply the setting you specified.

In case Windows isn't scaling things correctly, repeat the steps to select a different value to increase or decrease scaling value until you land in the correct configuration.

You can always revert the changes using the same instructions outlined above, but on step 4, click the Turn off custom scaling and sign out option.

How to make text bigger without changing scale settings on Windows 11

If you want to make the text more readable, you should not adjust the scale settings. Instead, you should only be changing the text size settings on Windows 11.

To make text bigger across the desktop, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accessibility.

3. Click the Text size page on the right side.

   

4. Use the "Text size" slider to make the font size across Windows 11 bigger.

   

5. Click the Apply button.

Once you complete the steps, the screen will flash a "Please wait" message to apply the new text size.

More Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 11 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know