Advanced Appearance Settings - Change Text Size for Items in Windows 8

How to Change the Text Size of Items in Windows 8 Advanced Appearance Settings


information   Information
This tutorial will show you how to change only the text size for specific items in the Advanced Appearance Settings for your user account in Windows 8. This will include the text size and bold appearance settings for the title bars, menus, message boxes, palette titles, icons, and tooltips items.

Note   Note
The text size settings for a user are saved in the registry key location below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics




Here's How:

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Display icon.

2. Under Change only the text size, select a item you want to change the text size and bold settings of. (see screenshot below step 5)

3. Select the size you want for the item, then click/tap the Bold box to check (turn on) or uncheck (turn off) it.

4. Repeat steps 2-3 for any other item you would like to change the text size and bold settings of.

5. When finished, click/tap on Apply.


appearance-1.jpg



That's it,
Shawn


 

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That is one of my favourites - I don't have any use for it myself, but plenty of people will -at least someone at MS has had a good idea.

Whoever it is - they need promoting.
 

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It's a good thing indeed, since the old appearance tab with the classic themes (that covered for this up to Win7) is gone, something with the same functionality had to be added somewhere in the UI.

The custom sizing options for all items can only go from 100% to larger. (the whole UI with window borders and tiles + cursor size changes here)
I remember back in XP where you could also choose a smaller size (of 75% and even lower 50%) but that would probably mess the looks and was excluded from the options.
 

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    That's basically it.
How to change the text size on windows such as "Personalization"?
Notice the menu text size vs other text, the text on this image is coming out a lot larger than the actual size - about twice:
Capture.PNG

Edit: Got same problem with Explorer ribbon and menu both.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 1750
    CPU
    Duo Core 2.5 G HZ
Hello rdwray,

The Menus item's default size setting is "9" and not bolded. This is what is making the menu and ribbon text larger.

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 

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I want the menu text large, it is the text in the rest the window that is too small.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 1750
    CPU
    Duo Core 2.5 G HZ
In that case, you could change the DPI to say 125% to increase the size of everything a bit more to see if that may work for you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Brink, thanks and I am aware of the DPI settings. I guess I am being stubborn at this point in that I want to change the font size of the window text. It looks as there isn't a way to do it to the best of my knowledge; MS eliminated the possibility with their assumptions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
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    Dell Inspiron 1750
    CPU
    Duo Core 2.5 G HZ
Brink, thanks and I am aware of the DPI settings. I guess I am being stubborn at this point in that I want to change the font size of the window text. It looks as there isn't a way to do it to the best of my knowledge; MS eliminated the possibility with their assumptions.

In this tutorial there is already an option explained how to modify some font sizes, but ALL of them just like in Win7 are found in the registry.

Alright then.
The eliminated things can be returned, in this case - font size to specific missing items.
But you require a Win7 install or VM from where you can get the exact settings you need, or by modifying the needed entries in the Win8 registry.

If those items work(ed) in one of your Windows 7 installs, go and export those settings from the Win7 registry and apply it to 8.

What I mean is method 2 from here:
How to Access “Advanced Appearance Settings” Option and Change Font Size, Color in Windows 8? - Tweaking with Vishal

In the link above, more particular this part is of interest:
TIP: These Registry keys are same for Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. So to make the task easier, you can boot into Windows 7 and customize the advanced appearance settings using Desktop Personalization window. Then open Registry Editor and take a backup of the above mentioned Registry keys by right-click on them and select Export option. It'll create .REG files. Copy those REG files to Windows 8 computer and run them. The Registry scripts will add those customized settings to Windows 8. Restart Windows 8 computer and you'll see the new settings.

Good luck
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
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    HP Envy DV6 7250
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    Intel i7-3630QM
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    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
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    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
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    IDT HD Audio
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    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
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    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
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    That's basically it.
Hopachi you are correct, but Win8's over writes the registry and returns settings to the values as installed other than the ones that it give you access to change under "Personalization".
 

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  • OS
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    Dell Inspiron 1750
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Sorry to hear that. :(

For now only the dpi option can get something.

But where exactly is that window text you what to change? Maybe I can get a customized theme going which can be applied to 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Look at my first post on the previous page at the image, the text I want to change is the blue text on the personalization window.
 

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System One

  • OS
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    Dell Inspiron 1750
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Look at my first post on the previous page at the image, the text I want to change is the blue text on the personalization window.

That one is fixed UI, even on Windows 7 (if it resizable on Win7 I would have been usable for 8 as well).

The only way for this one remains the higher DPI settings (125%).

The same item, by the way, gave me trouble in trying to change it's color (the ribbon is also having this issue as well) and you have 2 options:
-No way by using Aero themes (default ones)
-Works in high contrast modes* (an AeroLite combination, looks more basic)

* by editing a saved or exported theme in high contrast mode.

Regards
Hopachi
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
By changing these fonts....is that just changing the display on the monitor or does it also effect the printed size or spacing of fonts? We have the same statement printed out of excel to the same printer that prints with different spacing when printed from different computers. The difference is even 2 or 3 lines shorter or longer on one page. All computers have same OS (WIN 8), Excel (Office 2007).
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Hello Rich, and welcome to Eight Forums.

It will only change how it's displayed on the monitor. :)
 

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System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
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    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thank you. Can you think of why one excel page (income statement) would print to the same printer from different computers with different spacing? You can put the sheets on top of each other and the bottom printed line is 1/2" + lower on page than the other. It is formatted with the Tahoma font....The line width is exactly the same on both pages....the spacing between the lines gradually increases as it goes down the page. The pages are portrait but feed through the printer landscape. And this same situation occurs when the computers print to 3 other printers in our office. I am totally befuddled :)
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
I don't use Excel, but would imagine that it could be something set in Excel installed on each PC.

If you like, please feel free to create a new thread for this in the Software and Apps forum area to see if someone may know why. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I realize this is an old topic, but, for the life of me I don't understand why they would even remove this feature. The registry settings are the same for Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Why do they strip out tools people use?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7 & 8
Hello RBS,

The GUI was removed since all of the color and font settings for items would only work if you were using the classic theme or a high basic theme. Since the basic theme is no longer available in Windows 8 and 8.1, it was deemed no longer needed.

You can still change some items like in the tutorial on the first page.

If you use a high contrast theme, then you can change more options like below.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6479-window-color-appearance-change-windows-8-a.html

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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