If the default Windows text size is too small or too big, follow these steps to change the system font size in Windows.
As part of the ease of access, Windows 10 lets you decrease or increase the system font size with just a few clicks. When you change the font size, it will be applied system-wide. As long as the applications are using the default system font settings, the font size changes will be applied to all built-in and third-party programs.
Unlike in the older versions, there is no need to make any registry changes. Rather, we can use the new Windows 10 Settings app to change the font size. All you have to do is drag a slider and then font size will be changed instantly.
In the quick guide, let me show the simple steps to quickly reduce or increase the system font size in Windows 10.
Change System Font Size in Windows 10
You can either increase or decrease the system font size. I will show you both. Follow the one depending on your requirement.
Increase System Font Size in Windows 10
To increase the system font size, follow these steps.
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to “Ease of Access“.
- Go to the “Display” page.
- Under the “Make text bigger” section, drag the slider to the right side to increase the system font size.
- Click on the “Apply” button to save changes.
As soon as you click the apply button, the new font size will be applied system-wide. All applications should now show bigger fonts.
If the changes aren’t applied instantly, restart the system. Sometimes, the font size cannot be adjusted while the applications are actively running in the foreground or background. Rebooting the system will fix that issue.
Personally, I try to keep around 70 centimeters to 80 centimeters distance between me and the computer screen. For that distance, 105% to 110% text size looks just perfect. But your mileage may vary depending on the screen size, resolution, and the distance. So, I encourage you to try different font sizes to find the perfect fit for you.
If you have vision problems or configuring the system for elderlies, I recommend setting the font size to 125%. This makes the text content easier to read and reduces the strain on your eyes.
Reduce System Font Size in Windows 10
To reduce the Windows system font size, follow these steps.
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to “Ease of Access“.
- Go to the “Display” page.
- Under the “Make text bigger” section, drag the slider to the left side to decrease the system font size.
- Click “Apply” to save changes.
As you can see, to decrease the system font size all you have to do is drag the slider to the left side. You cannot reduce the system font size by more than 100%.
Troubleshooting
If you cannot find the Make Text Bigger option in the Ease of Access page, make sure that you are running Windows 10 v1809 or higher.
The simplest way to know the Windows 10 version is to use a Run command.
Press Win + R, type winver and press Enter. In the About Windows window, see the second line. It should say “Version 1809” or higher. You can safely ignore the OS Build number. Unlike the version, the OS Build number will change every time you install a Windows update.
How is it Different from DPI Scaling?
The font size change is completely different from DPI scaling. In case you don’t know, DPI scaling scales all UI elements like fonts, images, and icons. DPI scaling is generally used in high-resolution monitors.
I hope that helps. If you are stuck or need some help, comment below and I will try to help as much as possible. If you like this article, check out how to change OEM information in Windows and how to delete clipboard history in Windows 10.
Image credit: Resize font from Flaticon