If you’re finding things too big on your Windows 10 screen, you can make everything smaller with a few simple steps. By adjusting your display settings, you can shrink icons, text, and other elements to fit more content on your screen.
How to Make Everything Smaller on Windows 10
In the following steps, I’ll show you how to change your display settings to make everything appear smaller on your Windows 10 computer. This guide will help you adjust the scale and resolution settings.
Step 1: Open Settings
First, click the Start menu and then the gear icon to open Settings.
Opening the Settings menu is your gateway to customizing your Windows 10 experience. You’ll use this menu quite a bit, so it’s good to familiarize yourself with it.
Step 2: Go to System
Next, click on the System option in the Settings menu.
The System settings contain many different options for your computer’s hardware and software configuration. This is where you’ll find the display settings.
Step 3: Open Display Settings
Once in the System menu, click on Display from the sidebar on the left.
The Display settings are where you can adjust how things look on your screen. This includes changing the size of text, apps, and other items.
Step 4: Adjust the Scale and Layout
Under Scale and layout, click the drop-down menu under Change the size of text, apps, and other items and select a smaller percentage, such as 100%.
Changing the scale affects the overall size of everything on your screen. Lowering the percentage will make everything smaller.
Step 5: Change the Display Resolution
Scroll down to the Display resolution section and select a higher resolution from the drop-down menu.
Adjusting the resolution will make the screen display more information within the same physical space, effectively making things appear smaller.
After completing these steps, you’ll notice that all the items on your screen are smaller, creating more space for additional content.
Tips for Making Everything Smaller on Windows 10
- Check compatibility: Some apps might not display properly at smaller scales.
- Experiment with settings: Try different scale percentages to find what works best for you.
- Use keyboard shortcuts: CTRL + and CTRL – can quickly adjust text size in many apps.
- Update display drivers: Ensure your graphics drivers are up-to-date for the best performance.
- Use multiple displays: If you need more space, consider adding a second monitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I revert to the original settings?
Yes, you can always go back to the Display settings and choose the recommended scale and resolution.
Will making everything smaller affect performance?
Changing the display size and resolution generally does not affect performance, but extremely high resolutions can put more demand on your graphics card.
What if some apps look blurry?
If some apps look blurry, you might need to adjust their individual settings or use Windows’ built-in fix for blurry apps.
Is it possible to make only text smaller?
Yes, you can adjust text size independently from other items in the Display settings under Advanced scaling settings.
Are these changes reversible?
Absolutely. You can change the settings back to their original state any time.
Summary
- Open Settings
- Go to System
- Open Display Settings
- Adjust the Scale and Layout
- Change the Display Resolution
Conclusion
Making everything smaller on Windows 10 can help you see more content on your screen, which is especially handy for multitasking. While it’s generally easy to do, always remember that not all applications will handle scaling well. If you decide you don’t like the changes, you can easily revert back to your original settings.
Additionally, for those frequently working with detailed graphics or spreadsheets, making everything smaller can be a game-changer. More screen real estate means less scrolling and better productivity. However, don’t hesitate to tweak settings multiple times to find the perfect balance. If you encounter any issues, there are plenty of resources online to help you troubleshoot.
So, go ahead and give it a try. Your screen, your rules!
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.