To change the font size in Windows 10, open Settings (Windows + I) > Ease of Access > Display, drag the Make text bigger slider until the sample text is easy to read, and click Apply. This enlarges text in menus, title bars, File Explorer, and most apps without changing the size of everything else. To make text, icons, and apps bigger together, change Scale in Settings > System > Display instead.
This guide covers text size, scaling, per-app zoom, changing the font itself, and fixing blurry or cut-off text after resizing.
Method 1: Make text bigger
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Click Ease of Access > Display.
- Under Make text bigger, drag the slider (100% to 225%).
- Click Apply. The screen shows “Please wait” briefly.
This option is available in Windows 10 version 1809 and later. Check your version in Settings > System > About.
Method 2: Change scaling (everything bigger)
- Go to Settings > System > Display.
- Under Scale and layout, choose a percentage such as 125% or 150%.
- For a custom size, click Advanced scaling settings, enter a value between 100 and 500, click Apply, and sign out.
Method 3: Zoom within apps
- Browsers – press Ctrl + Plus or Ctrl + Minus, or hold Ctrl and scroll. Ctrl + 0 resets.
- Office apps – use the zoom slider in the bottom-right corner.
- File Explorer – hold Ctrl and scroll to change icon size.
- Magnifier – press Windows + Plus to zoom the whole screen temporarily, and Windows + Esc to turn it off.
Can I change the system font or specific text items?
Older Windows versions let you change the size of individual items like title bars and icons. That option was removed in Windows 10 version 1703. Windows 10 also has no built-in setting to change the system font; registry tweaks and third-party tools exist but can cause display problems, so back up first if you try them.
Make text easier to read in other ways
- ClearType – search for Adjust ClearType text and follow the tuner to make text sharper.
- High contrast – Settings > Ease of Access > High contrast.
- Larger pointer – Settings > Ease of Access > Mouse pointer.
- Native resolution – set Display resolution to the recommended value in Settings > System > Display to avoid blurry text.
Troubleshooting
- Text is blurry after scaling – turn on Let Windows try to fix apps so they’re not blurry in Advanced scaling settings, or sign out and back in.
- Text is cut off in dialogs – reduce the text size a step. Some older programs don’t resize well.
- Changes didn’t apply to an app – restart the app. Some apps use their own font settings.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between text size and scaling?
Text size changes only text. Scaling enlarges text, icons, buttons, and windows together.
How do I reset the font size?
Drag the Make text bigger slider back to 100% and click Apply, and set Scale to the recommended value.
Does this work on Windows 11?
Yes, but the setting is in Settings > Accessibility > Text size.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.