How to Change DPI Scaling in Windows 11

This guide explains how to change the display Dots per Inch (DPI) scaling in Windows 11 to fix blurry text or tiny icons.

Why change DPI scaling?

DPI controls how large or small items look on your screen. High-resolution monitors often make text and icons appear too small. Adjusting the DPI makes them easier to see and use. When you are done, your screen layout will resize to match your preference, ensuring everything looks sharp and comfortable for your eyes.

Change DPI Scaling via Settings

The easiest way to adjust your screen size is through the Windows Settings app.

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I on your keyboard.

2. Click on System in the left menu.

3. Click on the Display tile.

4. If you have multiple monitors, select the one you want to change first.
5. Look for the Scale & layout section. Click the Scale box to choose a different percentage from the list.

Fixing Blurry Apps with DPI Awareness

Sometimes, changing the global scaling makes specific apps look blurry. This happens because some older apps are not “DPI aware.” Windows 11 has a built-in feature to help.

1. Go to Settings > System > Display.
2. Click on Scale.
3. Toggle on Let Windows try to fix apps so they’re not blurry. This forces Windows to apply a scaling fix to apps that do not handle high DPI settings well.

Per-Application DPI Scaling Override

If one specific app is still blurry, you can change its settings individually.

1. Right-click the app’s shortcut or executable file and select Properties.
2. Go to the Compatibility tab.
3. Click Change high DPI settings.
4. Check the box Override high DPI scaling behavior.
5. Select System (Enhanced) from the dropdown menu to let Windows handle the scaling for that specific app.

Change DPI Scaling via Registry Editor

Note: This step requires admin privileges. If you prefer to use the registry, follow these steps carefully.

1. Open the Windows Registry Editor.
2. Go to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

3. Right-click in the empty space on the right side. Select New then DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it LogPixels.
4. Double-click LogPixels and enter a value: 100% is 96, 125% is 120, 150% is 144, 200% is 192.

5. Find the Win8DpiScaling value. Set it to 1 if you use a scale higher than 96, or 0 for default.

Summary

Adjusting DPI scaling helps fix display issues where text or icons look too small or distorted. You can modify these settings through the Windows Settings app, use the Compatibility tab for specific apps, or use the Registry Editor for advanced control. Always restart your computer to ensure changes apply correctly.