You just bought a new LCD monitor and you don’t know how to change the screen resolution on Windows 10? It’s easy! Stay tuned to learn more about it.
Whether you want to upgrade your Windows 10 computer to a better screen resolution or select a lower resolution for some reason, Windows offers you the ability to change display resolution according to your preference.
This guide covers three easy ways to change screen resolution on Windows 10. So, let’s begin!
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How to change the screen resolution on Windows 10
Although the recommended screen resolution nowadays is 1920 x 1080 (1080p), also known as Full-HD, Windows 10 provides users with the option to switch to 16 different scaling settings based on their liking.
Here are the three methods of setting a customized resolution on your Windows system:
Using Settings to change screen resolution
The first and the most reliable method of changing screen resolution is via the Settings app. For this, follow the below steps:
- From the Start Menu, go to “Settings” and then tap on the “System” option;
- Now, click on the “Display” tab;
- Under “Advanced Scaling Settings“, tap on the “Display Resolution” menu;
- Once you click that option, a drop-down menu with 16 different display options will open up;
- Choose the resolution of your choice, and click on it. Windows will allow you to view the selected display for 15 seconds before giving you the option of reverting back to the original display settings;
- If you like the new display resolution, click on the “Keep Changes” button to apply the changes permanently. However, if the new screen creates issues with the interface, you can return back to the default display by clicking on the “Revert” option on the display settings prompt.
Note: Setting a higher resolution than your screen is capable off will result in a screen resolution problem. You then have to choose another display setting.
Using Intel Control Panel to change the display resolution
Luckily, contemporary devices feature an integrated display adapter, and you can access the system display settings through a Windows application.
To change the screen resolution setting via the Intel Control Panel, follow the below steps:
- Right-click on your desktop and select the “Graphics Properties” option from the menu;
- Check “Basic Mode” on the application modes window and click “OK” to enter the Control Panel;
- Switch to the “Display” tab and choose your preferred resolution from the drop-down menu;
- Click “Apply” on the bottom of the window to confirm the changes;
- If you want to apply customized resolutions to your Windows PC, select the “Advanced mode” on the first screen;
- A new option with the name “Custom Resolutions” will appear under the Display tab. Click on it;
- Say “Yes” to the warning prompt;
- Now, enter the Width, Height, and Refresh Rate values in the boxes and then tap “Add“;
- Next, go to the “General Settings” tab and select the recently added resolution from the drop-down menu;
- Finally, click “Apply” to save the changes.
Using Hotkey Resolution Changer to change display settings
In case the above methods didn’t work out for changing the display of your computer, you can also utilize hotkeys for this purpose.
The software is completely reliable and safe for download and enables you to set up shortcut keys for performing functions quickly.
Here’s how this free software works:
- Download the freeware as a ZIP file by clicking here;
- Once the download is complete, click on the downloaded file to open it;
- Right-click on the file and select the “Extract to a specified folder” option;
- Choose the destination path and click on “OK” to start the extraction process;
- Once the process is completed, open the extracted folder and double-click on the “HRC” application to open it. The application will appear in the system tray. Tap on the monitor icon to open the window.
- From the hotkey drop-down menu, choose any resolution to apply;
- Click on the “Change” button next to the hotkey box;
- Now, enter the hotkey of your choice and press the “Set button“;
- Besides, you can also modify the refresh rate values for the selected keyboard shortcut. And there’s more! You can also add more hotkeys by increasing the number of hotkeys from the drop-down menu. This feature is particularly useful if you often need to switch between different resolutions;
- Finally, press the shortcut on your keyboard to change the display settings of your computer.
What is the screen resolution?
Screen resolution is defined as the total number of pixel count in each dimension (vertical and horizontal) of the display screen.
It is represented by two numbers: the first one denotes the resolution size horizontally, while the second number denotes the screen resolution vertically.
In simple words, the term refers to the clarity of the screen. Generally, the higher the screen resolution value, the higher the quality of the text characters and images displayed on the computer screen.
For example, a laptop with 3840×2160 or 4k resolution generates a clearer display than the one with 1920×1080 (1080p) resolution.
Checking the current display resolution on a Windows 10 PC
The quickest way to check your display resolution is by visiting this website. This online tool enables users to check their device’s resolution instantly, whether it be a laptop, desktop, or mobile device.
A more traditional way of checking screen resolution is through the Windows Settings app. To check the display modes via Settings, follow these steps:
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings;
- Tap on the “System” option;
- Switch to the “Display” tab and you will be able to find the current screen resolution under the “Screen and Layout“.
Wrap up
You can adjust your monitor’s resolution by utilizing the above-mentioned methods. The Settings app is perhaps the best choice for most users.
However, the Intel Control Panel provides users with more advanced options and it is also easy to use.
Lastly, the hotkeys method is suitable for people who are looking for a more easy-to-access option for changing the screen settings with only a few clicks.
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