Understanding Windows 11's Changes to Custom Display Scaling Factor
Windows 11 has introduced several changes to its custom display scaling factor, which has caused issues for users who prefer non-typical scaling factors, such as 175%. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the new changes, the problems encountered, and the noticed automatic changes when using a custom scaling factor of 187%.
Introduction to Custom Display Scaling Factor in Windows 11
Before discussing the new changes, it's essential to understand what a custom display scaling factor is. It refers to adjusting the size of text and apps on your screen, allowing you to see everything better, especially if you have a high-resolution monitor. In previous Windows versions, users could set a custom scaling factor between 100% and 500%.
Problems with Non-Typical Scaling Factors in Windows 11
With the release of Windows 11, users have encountered various issues when using non-typical scaling factors, such as 175%. The whole category of problems includes UI inconsistencies, misaligned elements, and blurry text.
Noticed Automatic Changes in Custom Scaling Factor - From 187% to 190%
Interestingly, users have reported that when setting a custom scaling factor of 187%, the system automatically changes it to 190%. While this change might be intended to address some of the issues mentioned above, it raises questions about why the specific value of 187% is not supported and why the system chooses 190% instead of another value.
Why isn't 187% Supported?
At this point, it's essential to note that Microsoft has not provided an official explanation for why non-typical scaling factors like 175% and 187% are problematic. However, it might have something to do with the way Windows 11 handles DPI scaling - an area where there's still much room for improvement.
Workarounds for Non-Supported Scaling Factors
Since Microsoft has not yet addressed this issue, users have come up with several workarounds to use non-supported scaling factors. They include:
- Using third-party tools that can override the default DPI scaling behavior.
- Manually editing the system's registry settings to force a custom scaling factor.
- Using a remote desktop session to connect to a Windows 11 machine with a different scaling factor and then adjusting the remote display settings.
Considerations Moving Forward
With Windows 11 still in its early stages, it's crucial for Microsoft to address these custom scaling factor issues. However, until an official solution is provided, users will have to rely on workarounds to use their preferred scaling factors.
Windows 11 has introduced changes to custom display scaling factors, which has caused problems for users who prefer non-typical scaling factors like 175%. Users have noticed that a custom scaling factor of 187% is automatically changed to 190%. While workarounds exist, it is essential for Microsoft to provide an official solution to this issue.
References
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Custom DPI scaling in Windows 11- Example Article -
Workarounds for Non-Supported Scaling Factors- Example Article -
Windows 11 DPI Scaling Issues- Example Book