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In Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display to adjust resolution, scaling, orientation, brightness, HDR, and connected monitors. If you use more than one screen, select the display you want to configure before changing its settings; the available options depend on your PC and display hardware.
What are Windows Display settings?
Windows Display settings are the controls for how your screen looks and how connected displays work together. They include text and app scaling, screen resolution and orientation, brightness and Night light, color management, HDR, refresh rate, and multi-monitor arrangement.
The steps below focus on Windows 11. Microsoft’s support pages also cover Windows 10, but Microsoft support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. Labels and available controls can vary with your Windows build, display, graphics hardware, and drivers.
How do I change my screen resolution and layout in Windows?
- Open Settings > System > Display.
- If more than one display is connected, select the screen you want to change.
- Under Scale & layout, choose a scale setting and a display resolution from the available lists. Windows generally marks its recommended options.
- Choose the desired screen orientation in the same display settings area.
Recommended scale and resolution are usually the best starting points. A resolution below the screen’s native resolution can make text less sharp; depending on the display, the picture may also look small, appear centered with borders, or be stretched. If a resolution or scale option is missing, the screen, graphics hardware, driver, or connection may limit what Windows can offer.
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How do I adjust brightness, Night light, and color?
Brightness
For a built-in screen, use the brightness slider in taskbar quick settings or go to Settings > System > Display, if Windows exposes the control. Many external monitors do not provide a Windows brightness slider; adjust those using the monitor’s physical buttons or on-screen menu.
Night light
Night light shifts the screen toward warmer colors. In Display settings, turn it on, adjust its strength, or configure a schedule. It may be unavailable with some display drivers, including DisplayLink or Basic Display. If its control is grayed out, check whether the display driver is working correctly.
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- THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors
Color management
Windows color management lets you work with color profiles and, on supported displays, automatic color management. These controls and their availability depend on the display and system support.
How do I use multiple monitors in Windows?
- Connect the displays, then open Settings > System > Display.
- Select Identify to show a number on each screen. Select a display tile to configure that screen.
- Drag the display tiles so their arrangement matches the physical positions of your monitors, then select Apply. Move the pointer between screens to check the layout.
- If a connected display does not appear, select Detect.
Press Windows key + P to choose how Windows uses the connected screens:
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- PC screen only: use the main PC display.
- Duplicate: show the same image on multiple screens.
- Extend: use the displays as additional desktop space.
- Second screen only: use the connected screen instead of the PC display.
Windows also has options for remembering window locations when a display is disconnected and minimizing windows when a monitor is removed. These can help when you regularly dock or unplug a laptop.
How do I turn on HDR or change refresh rate?
HDR
HDR requires compatible PC hardware and a display that supports it. In Settings > System > Display, select the HDR-capable screen before opening its HDR controls. Windows includes a brightness balance for SDR content shown on an HDR display; the result can differ by display model.
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If HDR is missing or does not work as expected, check that the PC and monitor support the feature, that the display is connected appropriately, and that the graphics driver is current. Microsoft recommends DisplayPort instead of HDMI only when the display supports HDR over DisplayPort; the cable cannot add HDR support that either endpoint lacks.
Refresh rate
Available refresh rates depend on the display and connection. If video on a multi-monitor setup stalls or repeatedly starts and stops, Microsoft suggests testing with the monitors set to the same refresh rate. Choose from the rates Windows lists for each display.
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Which display settings should I choose?
| Need | Setting or choice | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Make text and apps larger | Scale | Higher scaling makes interface elements larger and leaves less usable desktop space. |
| Set image detail and fit | Resolution | Start with the recommended option; a lower-than-native resolution may reduce sharpness or change how the image fits. |
| Mirror a presentation | Duplicate | Shows the same content on multiple displays. |
| Gain more desktop space | Extend | Provides a larger workspace across displays. |
| Use only one screen | PC screen only or Second screen only | Choose the screen you want active. |
| Use HDR | HDR controls for the selected display | Requires compatible PC, display, and connection support. |
What to check if an option is missing or the display looks wrong
- Select the intended screen: display-specific controls apply to the monitor selected in Display settings.
- Check hardware support: Windows cannot enable HDR, a refresh rate, or another capability the display or PC does not support.
- Check the connection: the port and connection mode can affect which features are available. For HDR over DisplayPort, both the PC and display need to support that mode.
- Check graphics drivers: update or troubleshoot the display driver if controls such as Night light are unavailable or behavior is abnormal.
- Recheck resolution and arrangement: use the recommended resolution as a baseline and ensure the monitor tiles match the physical setup.
Microsoft’s step-by-step instructions are available for screen resolution and layout, brightness and color, multiple monitors, HDR settings, and common HDR display problems.
Quick Recap
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