6 Quick Ways to Change the Screen Resolution on a PC

PDF download Download Article
Understand how to fix your desktop monitor's screen resolution in Windows
PDF download Download Article

If you want to change your monitor's screen resolution to 1920x1080 or another resolution, this can be adjusted in the Windows settings. This can affect your desktop screen size and make images more high-quality. This wikiHow will show you how to change the screen resolution on a PC.

Things You Should Know

  • To change the screen resolution, right-click the desktop and click "Display settings".
  • Select the drop-down menu next to "Display resolution" and pick a new resolution.
  • Click "Keep changes" to apply the new resolution or "Revert" to select a new one.
Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Windows 11

PDF download Download Article
  1. This will be in the middle of the menu.
  2. This will be under the Scale & layout header. [1]
    • If you have dual monitors , select a monitor underneath Display first.
    Advertisement
  3. Picking the proper resolution can fit your screen to your monitor and even make images more crisp. This could also improve gaming performance .
    • When a new resolution is selected, a prompt will appear.
  4. This will set your new resolution.
    • If you don't like the new resolution, click Revert or wait the specified time for Windows to automatically revert to the last setting.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Windows 10

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's toward the bottom of the menu.
  2. This will be underneath the Scale and layout header.
  3. Once selected, a prompt will appear.
  4. This will set your new resolution.
    • If you don't like the new resolution, click Revert or wait the specified time for Windows to automatically revert to the last setting.
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Windows 7 and 8

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's toward the bottom of the right-click menu.
  2. This opens a slider with different resolution values.
    • On Windows 7, you may have a vertical slider here that allows you to click and drag a MacButton up or down to increase or decrease the resolution.
  3. The resolution best-suited to your computer's screen will say (Recommended) next to it.
    • The higher the resolution number is, the smaller your computer's text and icons will appear.
  4. It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so will prompt you to confirm your choice.
  5. Doing so will save your resolution settings.
    • If you don't like the new resolution settings, you can click Revert or simply wait a few seconds for your computer's resolution to revert to your computer's default.
    6. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Windows Vista

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's toward the bottom of the right-click menu.
  2. This link is at the bottom of the "Personalize" window.
  3. It's near the bottom of the "Display Settings" window. Dragging the slider to the left will decrease your screen resolution, while dragging it to the right will increase the resolution.
    • Raising your resolution will make things smaller, while lowering the resolution will make things larger.
    • If you are having difficulty seeing things on your computer, try lowering your resolution.
    • If you want the clearest picture possible, raise the resolution to the size recommended for your display.
  4. It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so will prompt you to confirm your choice.
  5. Doing so will save your resolution settings.
    6. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Windows XP

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's at the bottom of the menu. This will open the "Display Properties" window.
    • If "Display Properties" doesn't open to the Settings tab, click it at the top of the window.
  2. It's near the bottom of the "Display Settings" window. Dragging the slider to the left will decrease your screen resolution, while dragging it to the right will increase the resolution.
    • Raising your resolution will make things smaller, while lowering the resolution will make things larger.
    • If you are having difficulty seeing things on your computer, try lowering your resolution.
    • If you want the clearest picture possible, raise the resolution to the size recommended for your display.
  3. Doing this will save your resolution settings.
    • If you don't like the new resolution settings, wait for a few seconds; the screen will revert to the old settings.
    • Click OK to close the "Display Properties" window. Your new resolution will be saved.
    4. Advertisement
Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Windows ME

PDF download Download Article
  1. There should be a pop-up menu that appears.
  2. A list of sizes will expand.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I make the desktop icons bigger?
    Community Answer
    Using a mouse, right click on an empty part of the screen. There should be a pop-up menu that appears. Scroll over to View, and select how big you want your icons to be.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4
  • Question
    How do I change my screen so that the images are not sideways?
    Community Answer
    The simple answer is to hold the camera sideways. The camera has a default direction it considers up and down, the PC will read this from the image file. However, if you open the image with an image editor, most have the option to simply rotate the image. Do this and then save it. Look for the curved left or curved right arrows. It may be a pain to have to do this on each image, but it is certainly preferable to having everything sideways.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 1
  • Question
    I use an LCD TV as a monitor. I have tried changing my screen resolution, but it seems impossible. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Your monitor should have some settings built-in that allow you to change the Screen Resolution. Otherwise, just right-click your desktop and press Screen Resolution
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 2
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Different resolutions will work with different displays. For example, if you're casting your computer screen to a television, you might change your display resolution to be as clear as possible.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      3 Quick Methods to Replace a Window Screen
      How to
      Make Any Picture Your Computer or Phone's Wallpaper
      2 Simple Ways to Get Animated Desktop Wallpapers
      How to
      Check Your Screen Resolution on PC, Mac, & Chromebook
      Simple Ways to Set Up Dual Monitors on Your Computer
      Rotating Your Screen on Windows, Chromebook, iOS, & More
      5 Easy Ways to Fix Your Acer Screen If It's Flickering
      How to
      Fix a Rotated Screen
      How to
      Change Your Cursor
      How to
      Connect a Gaming Console to a Computer Monitor
      How to
      Rotate a Computer Screen: A Step-by-Step Guide
      Get Rid of that Black Spot on Your Laptop Screen
      How to
      Repair a Scratched or Finger Printed Monitor Screen
      How to
      Fix a Dimmed Screen: 8 Simple Solutions
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/view-display-settings-in-windows-37f0e05e-98a9-474c-317a-e85422daa8bb#WindowsVersion=Windows_11

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 641,118 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement