How to Change DPI Scaling Level for Displays on Windows

Have you ever experienced stretching or distortion when reading emails or other content on your computer? This is most likely caused by the DPI. What can you do with it? You can change the DPI scaling to adapt to your computer. This article from NewsPivot will explain some ways for you to change DPI scaling level for displays.

A Brief Introduction to Dots Per Inch (DPI)

Dots Per Inch is a physical measurement data of the number of single dots that can be placed in a line within 1 inch. DPI is the function of the display’s resolution and size. The higher resolutions or smaller sizes result in higher DPI; lower resolutions or larger sizes result in lower DPI. When a display has a higher DPI, the pixels are smaller and closer together, so the user interface and other displayed content will appear smaller than expected.

DPI can control the size of text, programs, and icons. When you change your display’s DPI scaling level, these things will also be changed. The lower DPI makes them look smaller. On the contrary, the higher DPI will make them look bigger. By default, Windows is set to 96 DPI.

Knowing what the DPI is and how it works can be beneficial for you to deal with digital images and use the computer mouse, whether you want to print pictures or try to control the fast-paced games. 

See Also: 5 Solutions to Fix Vertical Lines on Monitor – Solved

Three Ways to Change DPI Scaling Level for Displays

Changing the DPI scaling level for displays can prevent some errors when you read the text or scan some images. Here are three methods that can help you change display DPI scaling on Windows 10.

Method 1: Change DPI Scaling Level in Settings

The Settings on the computer is useful. You can set custom parameters for some functions in it. In this way, you can easily customize the display scaling size according to your preferences. Here are the steps to set a custom DPI scaling level:

Step 1: Press the Win + I keys to open Settings, and click on the System option.

Step 2: Select Display on the left pane.

Step 3: Click on Advanced scaling settings under Scale and layout on the right side.

Step 4: Enter a custom scaling size between 100-500 % you want for all displays, and click on Apply.

After finishing these operations, the DPI will be changed.

Method 2: Change DPI Scaling Level With Registry Editor

The Registry Editor is a tool that allows you to view and modify the system registry. You can use it to change DPI scaling level for displays. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Press the Win + R keys to open the Run box, input regedit in the open boxand press Enter.

Step 2: If prompted by UAC, click on Yes to continue.

Step 3: Input Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktopin the address bar and press Enter.

Step 4: In the right pane, locate Win8DpiScaling DWORD and right-click on it, and then select Modify….

Step 5: Set the Value data to 1 and click on OK.

Step 6: Close Registry Editor and restart your computer to save this change.

Once finishing these operations, you have already changed DPI scaling level successfully.

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Method 3: Change DPI Scaling Level Through a REG File

Restoring the default DPI scaling level for all displays is also a way to change scaling level. There are many registry script files available on the Internet to restore the display’s default DPI scaling size. You can search and download a REG file through Google and then follow the steps below to complete the DPI scaling reset.

Step 1: Open your browser and download a REG file that restores the DPI scaling level.

Step 2: When the download is complete, save the .reg file to your desktop.

Step 3: Right-click on the .reg file icon, and select Merge.

Step 4: When prompted by a security warning, click on Run.

Step 5: If the UAC pops up, click on Yes to continue.

Step 6: Restart your computer.

Then you can delete the downloaded file if you want.

Bottom Line

Understanding how the DPI works is useful for you when you encounter some issues with it because you can solve these problems by changing DPI scaling level. You can use the above methods to change DPI scaling level for displays.