How to Change the Video Settings or Improve Text in Windows 7

Table of Contents

1. Set or Change the Screen Resolution
2. Adjust the Color Depth
3. Adjust the Refresh Rate
4. Change the Size of Fonts and Icons

This article is for Microsoft Windows 7. Click below to change the operating system.

• Windows 10
• Windows 8 or 8.1

Set or Change the Screen Resolution

1. Close all open programs.
2. Click Start, right-click the Control Panel icon, and select Open.
3. In the Control Panel window, click Adjust screen resolution under Appearance and Personalization.
4. Click the Resolution: drop down, click and drag the vertical slider control to change the screen resolution, and then click Apply.
5. If the new settings are compatible, the screen will reappear with the new settings.
6. Click Yes if you want to keep the new settings.
   Note: If new settings do not work, Windows will attempt to revert back to the original settings automatically. If the video has become corrupted or an Out of Scan Range error occurs that cannot be automatically corrected, restart the computer. Press F8 during startup, highlight Safe Mode from the Startup Menu, and press Enter to start the computer in Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, change the screen resolution back to the original settings and restart normally.
7. Restart the computer to ensure that the changes stay in effect.

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Adjust the Color Depth

1. Close all open programs.
2. Click Start, right-click the Control Panel icon, and select Open.
3. In the Control Panel window, click Appearance and Personalization.
4. Click Display.
5. Click Calibrate Color and follow through the wizard to adjust the Color Depth.

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Adjust the Refresh Rate

1. Close all open programs.
2. Click Start, right-click the Control Panel icon, and select Open.
3. In the Control Panel window, click Adjust screen resolution under Appearance and Personalization.
4. Click Advanced Settings, and then click the Monitor tab.
5. Click the Screen refresh rate drop-down menu under Monitor settings.
6. Select the refresh rate you want from the available options, and then click Apply.
7. When you are informed that Windows will now adjust the refresh rate, click OK.
   Note: If a Refresh Rate warning appears stating that you have specified a custom refresh rate, click Yes.
8. If the new settings are compatible, the screen will reappear with the new settings.
9. Click Yes if you want to keep the new settings.
   Note: If new settings do not work, Windows will attempt to revert back to the original settings automatically. If the video has become corrupted or an Out of Scan Range error occurs that cannot be automatically corrected, restart the computer. Press F8 during startup, highlight Safe Mode from the Startup Menu, and press Enter to start the computer in Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, change the screen resolution back to the original settings and restart normally.
10. Close all windows and restart the computer when prompted.

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Change the Size of Fonts and Icons

1. Close all open programs.
2. Click Start, right-click the Control Panel icon, and select Open.
3. In the Control Panel window, click Appearance and Personalization.
4. Click Display.
5. Click Medium- 125% for a moderate increase, or Click Larger 150% for a bigger increase in size.
6. Click Apply to apply these settings. You will need to log off and log back on for the settings to take effect.

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 More information and support for your Dell monitor, laptop or tablet screen can be found on our Monitor Support site.