[Tip] How to Change Text Font Size in Windows 10

SUMMARY: This tutorial will help you in changing text font size in Windows 10 and making the text bigger on screen without changing DPI scaling.

In older Windows versions such as Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7, users were able to change text and font size using Advanced appearance settings window which was available through Desktop Personalization or Desktop Properties. Older Windows versions allowed users to customize text color, font size, font type as well as style (bold, italic) using advanced appearance settings.

Following screenshot shows the classic advanced appearance settings window which was available in good ol’ Windows versions:

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Advanced_Appearance_Settings_Windows.png

When Microsoft released Windows 8, they removed advanced appearance settings feature from the OS. They only allowed users to change text font size using display settings.

We posted a tutorial to describe how to change text size, color, etc in Windows 8 and later Windows versions at following link:

How to Change Font Size, Color in Windows 8 and Later?

But Microsoft also removed that working option from Windows 10 operating system. Windows 10 users were unable to change text size. The only possible way to increase text size and make everything bigger was changing DPI Scaling. But many times users don’t want to change overall scaling. They just want to increase text size in Start Menu, File Explorer, software programs, etc without changing the scaling of their system.

Finally Microsoft listed to users complaints and requests and they added the feature to change text size only back to Windows 10 operating system.

Now the newer Windows 10 versions allow users to change and customize text font size. You can increase the text size according to your requirements.

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If you are using a large display, the small text and font on screen may annoy you and you may face difficulties in reading the text correctly. Now you can make the text bigger and readable in Windows 10.

Following steps will help you in changing text font size and make the text bigger in Windows 10:

1. Open Settings app from Start Menu or by pressing WIN+I keys together.

2. Now go to “Ease of Access -> Display” section.

PS: Alternatively, You can directly launch this page using “ms-settings:easeofaccess-display” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

3. Now in right-side pane, look for “Make text bigger” option.

To change text size and make it bigger, move the given slider to adjust the text font size. Windows 10 will show live preview of the new text size in form of sample text so that you can set the desired text size.

Bigger_Text_Change_Text_Size_Windows_10.png

Once you are satisfied with the new text size, click on “Apply” button.

That’s it. It’ll immediately change the text size and you’ll get bigger text and font everywhere across the system including traditional Win32 desktop apps as well as UWP apps.

Following screenshot shows bigger text only in Windows 10:

Bigger_Text_Size_Windows_10.png

You can see in above screenshot, only the text size has increased. The scaling is unchanged.

BONUS TIP:

If you want to make everything bigger in Windows 10 such as text, window titlebars, toolbars, buttons, menus, dialog box, etc, you can use the “Make everything bigger” option given below the “Make text bigger” option.

Make_Everything_Bigger_Change_Text_Size_Scaling_Windows_10.png

Click on the drop-down box and select desired scaling such as 125%, 150%, 175% and Windows 10 will immediately change overall size and you’ll get everything bigger on screen.

Following screenshot shows everything bigger in Windows 10:

Bigger_Text_Size_Scaling_Windows_10.png

PS: You can access the same “Make everything bigger” option from “Settings -> System -> Display” page. It’s mentioned as “Scale and layout“. You can also set any custom scaling by clicking on “Advanced scaling settings” option. You can enter any value between 100 – 500 in the given text box. Click on Apply button to make changes.

Also Check:

[Tip] How to Change Fonts of Menus, Dialog Box and Other Text in Windows 8 and Later

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Dear Vishal Gupta,
    I tried to contact you regarding a problem I have with Windows 10 1803 version.
    In settings of updates I always get a message that “some settings are managed by your organization” . Similar to the one you had discussed about Firefox.
    Mine is a home computer not linked to any organization. I tried to send it to your e mail address as earlier I had done. But I get that it was not possible to send the message. Is there any change in your e mail address.

    Hope this reaches you !

  2. It’s doesn’t mean literally an organization, such as a business. Refers to your personal setup on your computer, ie. some program you have set up is taking over for what you want. Example, you have an outside virus scanner, so the Windows Defender turns itself off and gives the same “organization” message. Kapeesh?

  3. Hello VG & others,

    Is there a way to do exactly the opposite of what is explained here? I am wondering if it is possible to reduce the font size or decrease the scaling to less than 100?

    I find the current scaling to be quite big for my preferences. Any insight or help is appreciated.

  4. I do NOT want ALL my text larger, ONLY the parts that are straining my eyes so much – notably the file/folder names in File Explorer.

    The context menus are about right, but they would be better if they were BLACK instead of GREY!

    I would just like the file/folder names in File Explorer to be the SAME as in the Context Menus there.

    Why would MS GREY-OUT text that should be BLACK and then REMOVE any safe way to change it if it is straining your eyes to read it.

    Makes me want to go back to Linux. I just thought I’d try Windows again (from win7 to win11), thinking maybe they had improved things. I never thought they would be going BACKWARD and REMOVING things!!!

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