DPI - Change for Modern UI in Windows 8

How to Change DPI Scaling for Modern UI in Windows 8


information   Information
This tutorial will show you how to change the DPI scaling of only the Metro Start screen and apps in Windows 8.

You may sometimes feel the Start Screen tiles and it's apps UI is too big or too small for your monitor size. By modifying registry you can change the DPI (which controls the size of the Start Screen UI) by changing the monitor size detected by Windows.

warning   Warning
Modifying the registry incorrectly may cause Windows to be corrupted. Be careful while modifying registry entries.

Tip   Tip
Consider this, you have set a HTPC setup with Windows 8 on an 42" TV. Because of its size, the Start Screen tiles may appear too small. By doing this you can pretend the installed monitor was a 10.1" monitor, and it will resize the UI to be bigger because it have less DPI.


warning   Warning
This doesn't work in Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1. There is no known way yet to disable the automatic detection of Monitor Size.




To get started, do the following steps:


1. Press the Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and click/tap on OK.

Open regedit.PNG

2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below.
NOTE: If you don't have Scaling, right click on Explorer, point to New, then select Key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Scaling


Navigate to.PNG

3. Create new string value, name it MonitorSize.
NOTE: If you already have the MonitorSize string value, go to step 4.

4. Double-Click on the MonitorSize value, then enter the desired monitor size.
NOTE: Use periods instead of commas, and don't insert the inch symbol (").

edit value.PNG

5. Close Registry Editor, then restart your computer.
Tip   Tip



That's it,
Your Start Screen DPI settings should change, sizing to the same as the Monitor Size you've specified.


 
Last edited by a moderator:
Great tweak, thanks. After experimenting I set a value of 45 for my 23" screen and now the 'metro' tiles are far less clunky. It looks less like a Fisher-Price toy screen now! Incidentally I didn't have the scaling key so wonder why not?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    i5-2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77
    Memory
    16Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPLP2475w, AOC
    Hard Drives
    SATA 3 SSD, SATA 2 5 drives total 6Tb
Great tweak, thanks. After experimenting I set a value of 45 for my 23" screen and now the 'metro' tiles are far less clunky. It looks less like a Fisher-Price toy screen now! Incidentally I didn't have the scaling key so wonder why not?

You're welcome!
Yup, on my 11,6" i set it to 12.1", makes the tiles smaller and fits 4 rows! Finally for 1366x768.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
Thanks for everyone's help and contributions.

I was trying to get more rows in the Metro UI on my Sony Vaio Duo 11 - this is 1920X1080, 11.6" screen and should default to 6 rows, but it would not allow me to go above 3 rows.

I did the Registry mod - did not help.

But changing screen size helped - I created the key for monitor size and used 12.1" first - it did not work, then I used 13" and I got my rows fixed!

I wonder why the difference in behavior of different computers? I got my rows fixed by using fake screen size, but I am not sure if this affects something else....

Vladimir
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64 Bit
Thanks for everyone's help and contributions.

I was trying to get more rows in the Metro UI on my Sony Vaio Duo 11 - this is 1920X1080, 11.6" screen and should default to 6 rows, but it would not allow me to go above 3 rows.

I did the Registry mod - did not help.

But changing screen size helped - I created the key for monitor size and used 12.1" first - it did not work, then I used 13" and I got my rows fixed!

I wonder why the difference in behavior of different computers? I got my rows fixed by using fake screen size, but I am not sure if this affects something else....

Vladimir

Because Windows uses EDID to know the monitor size.
Less Screen Size = Less DPI = Less Tiles shown.

A 19" screen with 1366x768 resolution will give different amount of tiles from 11.6" screen with the same resolution.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
Thanks for everyone's help and contributions.

I was trying to get more rows in the Metro UI on my Sony Vaio Duo 11 - this is 1920X1080, 11.6" screen and should default to 6 rows, but it would not allow me to go above 3 rows.

I did the Registry mod - did not help.

But changing screen size helped - I created the key for monitor size and used 12.1" first - it did not work, then I used 13" and I got my rows fixed!

I wonder why the difference in behavior of different computers? I got my rows fixed by using fake screen size, but I am not sure if this affects something else....

Vladimir

Because Windows uses EDID to know the monitor size.
Less Screen Size = Less DPI = Less Tiles shown.

A 19" screen with 1366x768 resolution will give different amount of tiles from 11.6" screen with the same resolution.

Could you please tell the details about screen size, resolution ratio and monitor size? how to set for the different screen size and resolution ratio?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Thanks for everyone's help and contributions.

I was trying to get more rows in the Metro UI on my Sony Vaio Duo 11 - this is 1920X1080, 11.6" screen and should default to 6 rows, but it would not allow me to go above 3 rows.

I did the Registry mod - did not help.

But changing screen size helped - I created the key for monitor size and used 12.1" first - it did not work, then I used 13" and I got my rows fixed!

I wonder why the difference in behavior of different computers? I got my rows fixed by using fake screen size, but I am not sure if this affects something else....

Vladimir

Because Windows uses EDID to know the monitor size.
Less Screen Size = Less DPI = Less Tiles shown.

A 19" screen with 1366x768 resolution will give different amount of tiles from 11.6" screen with the same resolution.

Could you please tell the details about screen size, resolution ratio and monitor size? how to set for the different screen size and resolution ratio?

?
But btw this is the rough details:
Screen Resolution 1366x768
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Monitor Size 18.5"

My Laptop:
Screen Res. 1366x768
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Monitor Size 11.6"

Both at default settings:
19" gets 4 rows
11.6" gets 3 rows only.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
Great tutorial, Mr. Showdown!

What is a good value for 1366x768...?
Here it's a 15.6" monitor if I measure it.

From what I see, we need a bigger value for smaller tiles and a smaller value for bigger tiles?

Thanks
 

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.
Great tutorial, Mr. Showdown!

What is a good value for 1366x768...?
Here it's a 15.6" monitor if I measure it.

From what I see, we need a bigger value for smaller tiles and a smaller value for bigger tiles?

Thanks

Correct, specify a smaller value for a bigger size of tiles, and bigger value for a smaller size of tiles.
But when I tested specifying the value to 19, 21, 24, 29, 32, 36, 40, and 42, all of them shows the same results.
I guess 4 rows and its size are the max for 1366x768.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
I simply tried different values till I found one that looked best. Simple and no maths!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    self built
    CPU
    i5-2500K
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77
    Memory
    16Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD5700
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HPLP2475w, AOC
    Hard Drives
    SATA 3 SSD, SATA 2 5 drives total 6Tb
Thanks guys. I'll keep that in mind.

There are already 4 rows here so I think I'm good.
Bigger tiles don't interest me for now, but maybe I'll see how it looks in Fisher-Price mode. :)

Great tweak, thanks. After experimenting I set a value of 45 for my 23" screen and now the 'metro' tiles are far less clunky. It looks less like a Fisher-Price toy screen now! Incidentally I didn't have the scaling key so wonder why not?
 

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.
Guys I've been trying to get four rows of tiles, I changed the scaling to 12.1, 13, 15.4, 19 but nothing happened. I edited the registers like Layout_MaximumRowCount etc but the rows are still three. I've got an Acer Iconia W510 (screen res 1366x768, 10.5''). maybe the problem is the touch screen? is there any other register that I've got to change?
I won't surrender. Thanks :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows8
Guys I've been trying to get four rows of tiles, I changed the scaling to 12.1, 13, 15.4, 19 but nothing happened. I edited the registers like Layout_MaximumRowCount etc but the rows are still three. I've got an Acer Iconia W510 (screen res 1366x768, 10.5''). maybe the problem is the touch screen? is there any other register that I've got to change?
I won't surrender. Thanks :D

Have you tried tweaking these settings:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...-your-screen-bigger-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

Some Panels especially tablets have the Global DPI (Tutorial above) being set to high settings.
Notable cases: DPI being set to 125% out-of-the-box in Surface Pro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows8
Have you tried tweaking these settings:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...-your-screen-bigger-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

Some Panels especially tablets have the Global DPI (Tutorial above) being set to high settings.
Notable cases: DPI being set to 125% out-of-the-box in Surface Pro.

I don't have that option. It's dimmed and it says "Your display doesn't support this setting."

Hmm, have you tried option two on this tutorial:
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...etro-apps-change-number-rows-windows-8-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
Thank you so much! The problem I was experiencing was a weird, large on screen virtual keyboard in portrait mode on my Lenovo X230 Tablet. This registry fixed the issue for me.
I'm a happy man.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo X230 Tablet
    CPU
    i7 3520M
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000
is there a similar registry setting for application text size? for example the menu text in photoshop cs6 is absolutely tiny on my large display (2560x1440) - screen resolution > make text and other items larger or smaller does not solve the issue nor does photoshop's text setting (small, medium, large) feature. thankfully most applications i use show very well on my display, the text is very legible and icons are very recognizable, but photoshop and a few others fail miserably, the text is just too small.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    hp z1
    CPU
    xeon 1245
    Memory
    16gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    gtx 675m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    several: ssd, hybrid, ide, etc.
    Case
    aio
    Browser
    maxthon
    Antivirus
    defender/ mbam pro
Back
Top