Clear, practical technology insights About · Contact
TMTipsMake

How to Change Screen Resolution

Changing the resolution of your computer screen can help make documents and text easier to read by making items appear larger. You also have the option of making items appear smaller if you want to view more data on your screen. The screen...

Author: Micah Soto4 minutes read
Table of Contents
Method 1 of 5:

Windows 8

  1. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Using your mouse, right-click on the Desktop and select "Screen Resolution."
  2. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Under resolution, click and move the slider button up or down to select your desired screen resolution. The lower the resolution, the larger items and text will appear; the higher the resolution, the smaller items and text will appear on-screen.
  3. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Select 'Apply.' The resolution of your screen will now be changed.[1]
Method 2 of 5:

Windows 7

  1. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Using your mouse, right-click on the Desktop and select "Screen Resolution."
  2. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on the dropdown menu to the right of 'Resolution,' and move the slider button up or down to choose your desired resolution. The lower the resolution, the larger items and text will appear; the higher the resolution, the smaller items and text will appear on-screen.
  3. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on 'Apply,' then click on 'Keep' to verify you want the current resolution saved.[2]
Method 3 of 5:

Windows Vista

  1. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on 'Start' and select 'Control Panel.' The Control Panel window will open and display on-screen.
  2. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on 'Appearance and Personalization,' then click on 'Personalization.'
  3. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on 'Display Settings,' then move the slider button left or right to choose your desired screen resolution. The lower the resolution, the larger items and text will appear; the higher the resolution, the smaller items and text will appear on-screen.
  4. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on 'Apply.' Your screen resolution will now be changed.[3]
Method 4 of 5:

Windows XP

  1. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on 'Start' and select 'Control Panel.' The Control Panel window will open and display on-screen.
    1. Click on 'Switch to Classic View' in the left pane of Control Panel if icons are not showing. You must have Classic View enabled to change the screen resolution.
  2. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on 'Display,' then click on the 'Settings' tab for the 'Screen Resolution' box.
  3. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Move the slider button left or right to choose your desired resolution. The lower the resolution, the larger items and text will appear; the higher the resolution, the smaller items and text will appear on-screen.
  4. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on 'OK,' then click on 'Close.' Your screen's resolution will now be changed.[4]
Method 5 of 5:

Mac OS X

  1. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on the Apple menu and select 'System Preferences.' The System Preferences window will open and display on-screen.
  2. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on 'Displays,' then select the 'Display' tab.
  3. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Click on 'Scaled,' then select your desired screen resolution from the options provided. The lower the resolution, the larger items and text will appear; the higher the resolution, the smaller items and text will appear on-screen.
    1. If using a connected display, press and hold the 'Option' key, then click on 'Scaled' to change the resolution for the second display.
  4. images 1 of How to Change Screen Resolution
    Close the System Preferences window. Your screen resolution will now be changed.[5]

Was this article helpful?

Your feedback helps us improve.

Discussion

Reader Comments 0

Sign in with email or Google to join the discussion.

How to change the screen resolution of Galaxy S20How to change the screen resolution of Galaxy S202 minutes read How to Change Mac Screen ResolutionHow to Change Mac Screen Resolution2 minutes read How to change screen resolution on computers and laptopsHow to change screen resolution on computers and laptops4 minutes read Instructions to change screen resolution (Screen resolution)Instructions to change screen resolution (Screen resolution)2 minutes read How to Change the Resolution in Windows 8How to Change the Resolution in Windows 83 minutes read How to change screen resolution in UbuntuHow to change screen resolution in Ubuntu4 minutes read