How to zoom out the screen in various ways using the keyboard on a computer or laptop. How to change the screen scale to optimal values

Each user has his own requirements for the parameters of the image displayed on a computer display.

Some people prefer high brightness and high contrast, while others prefer low screen intensity to reduce eye strain.

The main parameters of the monitor can be manipulated using hardware buttons located on its body.

There are several methods you can use to make your display screen smaller or narrower. We will achieve the desired parameters by changing the resolution and scaling of the monitor screen.

Scaling on Windows

Windows users starting from version 7 can use the desktop scaling feature directly without going into any settings.

To use it, you need to press the “Ctrl” key and turn the mouse wheel. Depending on the direction of rotation, the image size on the monitor will decrease or increase.

The same trick can be performed in any modern browser and achieve the desired scale without going into the settings.

In any other operating systems, you need to go to the video card settings, where you can change the image scale. This setting is usually done in the form of a system of sliders.

Changing the Windows XP screen resolution

To access screen properties, you need to place the cursor on a free area of ​​the desktop, and then press the right button. In the menu that opens, select “Properties”. In the window that opens, select the last item “Options” and move the slider to the right or left, depending on the size of the displayed parameters. To view the changes, click “Apply”; to save, click “Ok”.

Changing screen resolution Windows 7, 8

First, right-click on an empty space on the screen, after which a menu will appear in which you need to click on the “Personalization” item. In the left part of the window that opens, you need to select “Screen Resolution”, and then select a higher value, which will reduce the image size.

Be careful when adjusting your monitor screen resolution. The fact is that screen resolution is directly responsible for the clarity of the image (windows, shortcuts). The higher the resolution, the sharper the image and the smaller the object.

Today we will learn how to reduce the screen scale on a computer in Windows 10, since this function often helps out when you need to work with a certain part of the content.

Scaling is often required when processing images, 3D models, diagrams, graphs and other graphic elements. Most often it is in demand when working with text documents and web pages.

One of the options to achieve the required scale is to change the display resolution. In this case, the sizes and scales of absolutely all interface elements change; as a rule, they increase in size.

When scaling, only certain objects such as file icons, shortcuts and directories in Explorer, text, images, tables and other elements of an electronic document or website can be resized. Scaling, as a rule, does not affect the visualization of media files, but there are exceptions.

Changing the scale of Windows 10 interface elements

There are two ways to accomplish what you want: through the Options menu and using the mouse wheel while holding Ctrl.

The first method is implemented using the following algorithm.

1. Call Windows Settings using the Win→I command.

2. Open the settings responsible for the system parameters.

3. Go to the “Screen” tab, located one of the first in the system parameters.

4. In the user parameters window, select the desired scale, which is indicated as a percentage of the standard.

Unfortunately, the image can only be enlarged from 100 to 500%; zooming out is not provided in Windows 10. If this function is in demand, go to the last subsection of the article about changing the display resolution in Windows 10.

The second option to adjust the scale in Explorer, browsers, most applications for editing and viewing any files is to scroll the mouse wheel with the Ctrl button pressed.

By the way, this is how the visualization mode of its objects in Explorer changes (table, list, large/small icons).

Changing the zoom level in the Internet browser

The size of text and images in the browser also changes in several ways:

  • by holding Ctrl and the mouse wheel;
  • using the same key and the plus and minus buttons on the keyboard;
  • using browser tools, regardless of its developer (everything here is universal).

In the second method, the zoom is changed in different increments, depending on the browser, and the Ctrl + 0 button combination will change the zoom to the standard 100%.

Depending on the browser, there will be a corresponding function in its main menu with buttons that allow you to zoom in and out on the open page. It may be in different subsections, but the meaning will not change.

In FireFox, for example, the settings for the site are saved the next time the application is launched, but Chrome does not have such a function, and the scale for each site will have to be changed manually each time the program is launched.

Changing the display resolution

If all the above options do not satisfy your needs, you can use the last option - change the current screen resolution.

1. Through the Start context menu or the Win+I combination, call “Settings”.

2. Open the “System” section.

3. In the first subsection “Screen” we find “Resolution”.

4. Select a lower resolution from the list.

5. We evaluate the new system configuration and confirm the new parameters if everything is satisfactory.

This option is logical to use in cases where the graphics adapter drivers were unable to cope with the task of determining the “native” display resolution.

How to reduce screen scale.

If the icons on your desktop take up half the screen, and the Start menu and taskbar are so huge that you can hardly see the picture you put on the wallpaper, then this can be easily fixed if you know how to reduce the screen scale.


You can perform this operation using standard Windows settings or settings in the graphics adapter interface. You can change both the size of the image on the display as a whole and the size of individual elements: icons, font.

How to zoom out the screen


Increasing the number of points

The easiest way to make the desktop and all the windows a little smaller is to increase the monitor resolution, that is, the size of the resulting image, measured in pixels or dots. 800x600, 1280x1024, 1366x768 are all examples of pixel ratio. The lower the margins are set, the larger the objects on the display will be.


To change the number of monitor pixels displayed on Windows 7:

If there are few options in the list, or the function is not available at all, then check your video card drivers. Uninstall the software responsible for the operation of the graphics adapter, and then install the current version of the drivers downloaded from the official website of the developer.


Changing the point ratio is performed approximately the same on all versions of Windows. Although there are small differences: for example, on Windows 10 you need to go to “Display Settings” from the desktop context menu, and then click on the “Advanced Settings” link.


To avoid confusion, use the universal method of setting up the monitor through the control panel.




Select the boundaries and save the result by clicking OK. If necessary, you can repeat the procedure at any time.

Using a graphics card application

When installing video card drivers in Windows, an application is installed to configure the graphics adapter. It can also be used to change the pixel ratio on the display. I have an NVIDIA video adapter, so I need to launch the NVIDIA control panel.



Depending on the manufacturer and model of the video card, the application interface may change, but if you wish, you can quickly figure out which parameter is responsible for what.

Setting a different interface scale

You can change the image format not only by setting a different aspect ratio. Another option that I recently learned about is changing the number of dots per inch. The resolution will remain the same, but all elements will be significantly larger or smaller, depending on what parameters you set.




The configuration will only take effect the next time you log in, so save any open documents and close any unnecessary programs, then click Sign Out Now. Then log back into your account to verify that the scale of objects has undergone significant changes. ­­­­­

Scaling in programs

If you need to enlarge or reduce objects in programs - browser, Word, Excel, image viewer - then use the universal scaling method: hold down the Ctrl key and roll the mouse wheel.


If you do not use a mouse on a laptop, then instead of the wheel you can use the “-” and “+” keys. Hold Ctrl and click on "-" to reduce the size. To zoom in, use the Ctrl and “+” key combination.

Changing the size of icons

If you are not satisfied only with the size of the icons on the desktop, and you do not want to change the size of other elements, then use a special function in the context menu to customize the display of icons.




Only the size of the icons will change, the font and monitor resolution will remain the same. Unfortunately, you cannot set the value manually, so you have to be content with only those options that were originally included in Windows.



It happens that we accidentally press keys and change the settings of a laptop or computer. The so-called “stuck” keys can provoke anything, and also change the previous scale. Today you will learn how to narrow or zoom the screen on your computer. Each user has his own requirements for a personal computer or laptop. Some people like a fairly large resolution, while others like a narrower one. To create optimal working conditions, you need to provide the most favorable conditions for yourself. In a physical sense, it is impossible to change the size of the monitor, but it can be done within the desktop. How to reduce the size on a computer screen? You will be able to change the scale using the instructions below. It is possible to reduce the scale using the settings of the monitor itself. To do this, click "Options" in the menu, which involves changing the screen size horizontally and vertically. This way you can manually adjust the desktop size. At the end, you need to select the "degauss" option. There is also an option to change the monitor resolution using the video card functions. Open program files or find the graphics card icon on the taskbar (near the clock and date). In the window that appears, click “Change resolution” and set the settings based on your own preferences. You may need to go to the Adjust desktop size and position section for additional workspace adjustments. How to make icons on your computer screen smaller? Now you will learn how to visually zoom in or out on icons and text. Right-click anywhere on the screen and select “Properties” and then “Display” in the window that appears. If for some reason you cannot open the window you need, there is another way. Click Start, Control Panel, Appearance and Themes, Display, Change Screen Resolution. Next, go to "Options". That's it, all you have to do is select the desired size and save the settings. Scale by moving the slider. If the system asks you to confirm the proposed parameters, click "Ok". How to quickly reduce the image on a computer monitor? There are faster resizing methods, but they are temporary. Start holding the "Ctrl" button, and then immediately press "-" or "+". Hold the "Ctrl" key and use the mouse to change the scale. How to reduce or increase the window size? To resize windows we offer the following methods. Move the mouse cursor to the very border of the window (the window should not be on the entire screen). The pointer should turn into a double-sided horizontal arrow. Next, press the left mouse button and drag it to the side. This way you can adjust the size you need. To make the window full screen, click on the three squares icon in the upper right corner. Right-click on the title bar and click Expand. You can also click "Size" and use the arrows on your keyboard to adjust the scale. How to resize the browser window? The method of change depends on the type of browser itself. Most often, these parameters can be accessed using the following combination - “View”, “Scale”. However, for example, in Opera, you need to click “Tools”, “Settings”, “General settings”, “Web pages”, “Zoom out/zoom in”.

Working on a computer can be a lot of inconvenience if you don't know how to reduce the screen size on your computer.

Icons that are too small or too large can cause eye strain for PC users who have vision problems.

In order to change the monitor scale you do not need to install special programs or drivers. In addition, there are several options for how this can be done.

The first way to reduce the screen size on a computer

The first method of reducing the display on a computer is perhaps the most difficult. But even the most unadvanced user can cope with it.

In addition, it is suitable for almost all operating systems.

Follow the steps below and you will be able to adjust the monitor image that is comfortable for you.

  • Click on the “Start” button in the bottom panel.
  • Afterwards, in the Start menu, find the line “Control Panel”.
  • Select Appearance & Personalization
  • Use the mouse or keys to find the “Screen” line.

  • The “Ease of Screen Reading” context menu that pops up will prompt you to select a percentage increase. Enter 100 percent and click “Apply.”
  • To the left of the context menu, click on the line “Setting screen parameters”, and then “Screen resolution”.
  • Confirm your settings by clicking "Ok".

There is one more tip on how you can apply this method. Using the right mouse button, click anywhere on the display, after which a window will open.

Find the "Resolution" line and then "Display Settings".

Use the percentage scale to adjust the size of the icons.

The second way to reduce the screen size on a computer

This method is also not particularly complicated and consists of the following:

  • On the desktop of your computer in the lower right corner, find an icon that looks like a video card or a folder with files;

  • Immediately after this, the line “Change decision” pops up. Here you can adjust the display size to suit your convenience;
  • To adjust the image dimensions as accurately as possible, you will need to click on the “Adjust screen size and position” line.

Now you know what keys and clicks you can use to change the extension of your computer.

Let's assume that you choose one method or another, and all your computer components work.

Now let's look at a few more options for reducing the display if you only have a keyboard or if it is more convenient for you to interact with test or graphic editors.

Using the keyboard only

To change the screen size on your computer, you can only use the keyboard and a special keyboard shortcut.

Hold down the Ctrl and + keys if you want to increase the display size, and Ctrl and - if you want to reduce it. With a single click, the image will change in one direction or another by 10 percent.

Continue pressing the key combination until you are satisfied with the result.

Keyboard shortcut to resize screen using keyboard only