Enable HDR in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

This post shows students and new users how to turn the HDR feature on or off in Windows 11.

Windows 11 has a feature called HD Color, which shows high dynamic range (HDR) and wide color gamut (WCG) content when available.

If your device supports it, you’ll experience more vibrant pictures for HDR games, videos, and apps using Windows 11.

When HDR is enabled and set to auto, Windows will decide how or when to use it based on different scenarios. This is especially useful in game mode or when playing intense high-graphic games.

Having Windows control how HDR is used also frees you from manually adjusting your display settings whenever you want to experience high-quality content.

How to Turn on Auto HDR in Windows 11

Again, turning or enabling auto HDR in Windows is pretty straightforward. Go to Windows System’s settings for the Display, which will allow it.

Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. Everything can be done, from system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows from its System Settings pane.

To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:

Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it.

Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click System, and select Display on the right pane of your screen, as shown in the image below.

Select HDR or Use HDR as highlighted below on the System -> Display settings pane.

On the HDR settings pane, under Display capabilities, set the Auto HDR settings to On.

How to Disable HDR in Windows 11

If Windows 11 allows you to manage your desktop HDR content, and it’s not working as expected, you can turn it off.

To turn off the HDR feature in Windows, reverse the steps above.

Go to Start ==> Settings ==> System ==> Display ==> HDR and turn off both Playing streaming HDR video and Use HDR.

That should do it!

Conclusion:

• Enabling HDR in Windows 11 enhances the visual experience by providing vibrant colors and improved graphics.
• Auto HDR allows Windows to manage HDR settings automatically, optimizing the display for different content types.
• Users can easily turn HDR on or off through the System Settings, making it convenient to switch based on their needs.
• Disabling HDR is simple and can be done through the same settings pathway, ensuring control over the display configuration.
• Familiarizing yourself with these settings helps you take full advantage of your device’s capabilities when it comes to high-quality content.