If everything on your Windows 11 screen suddenly looks a bit too big and bulky, I get it — it can be pretty annoying. Sometimes it’s just the display scaling or text size acting up. Basically, Windows has this thing called “Display Scale” that makes things bigger or smaller — depending on what you’re after. But if it’s gone a bit pear-shaped and everything’s oversized, here’s a straightforward fix that actually works, even if it feels a bit of a hassle sometimes.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Things Smaller on Windows 11
This usually happens when someone fiddles with the scale or resolution, or maybe Windows updates decide to have a go at your display settings. So, if your text, icons, and apps are looking a bit too chunky and you want more on the screen without squinting, just follow these steps. No magic — just settings.
Step 1: Open Settings
Click the Start button or the Windows icon, then choose Settings. Or, easier still — press Windows + I. Sometimes Windows feels like it has a mind of its own, but this shortcut usually gets you there quick as. If Settings doesn’t open straight away, try typing “Display” into the search bar in the Cortana/search box and go from there.
Step 2: Check the System
In Settings, click on System. It’s near the top and pretty obvious. Think of it as the main hub for screen, sound, power, and all that jazz. Sometimes it feels a bit redundant, but that’s Windows for ya.
Step 3: Head to Display
Click on Display in the side menu. Here’s where you’ll see options like resolution, refresh rate, and… you guessed it—Scale. That’s the culprit for making things look too big.
Step 4: Set the Scale to a Smaller Percentage
Under Scale & Layout, find the dropdown that shows something like “125%” or “150%”. To make everything smaller, choose a lower value like 100% or, if available, 95%. Heads up: on some screens, dropping the scale too low might make text a bit hard to read, and Windows might auto-adjust or show a warning. Play around until it looks right.
Step 5: Wait for the Display to Adjust
The display should change immediately. If not, you might need to restart your PC or log out and back in. Sometimes apps stubbornly keep their oversized look if they load before the new settings kick in. Closing and reopening them after tweaking can help too.
If you muck it up or don’t like the new size, just head back and put the scale back up. Easy as.
Tips for Making Everything Smaller on Windows 11
- Picking the right percentage is a bit of trial and error — try 100%, then go lower or higher depending on what suits you.
- If apps look a bit fuzzy or weird, you might need to tweak the resolution as well. Sometimes lowering the resolution helps things look sharper when scaled down.
- Keyboard shortcut tip: Windows + Minus (-) zooms out the desktop, which isn’t permanent but handy for a quick look.
- Remember, if you dial down the scale too much, tiny text might be hard to read. Not sure why, but some apps don’t like being squeezed smaller than 100%.
FAQs
How do I revert to the default (bigger) size?
Just head to Display Settings and set the scale back to 125% or whatever’s standard for your setup. Sometimes Windows guesses wrong, and you’ve gotta do a manual fix.
Will reducing the scale make all my apps blurry?
Sometimes, yeah. Especially on high-resolution screens, Windows can blur things if you set scaling too low or too high. If that happens, try adjusting the resolution or enable the “Let Windows try to fix apps so they’re not blurry” option under Graphics settings.
Can I resize just certain parts, like text?
Yep. You can jump into Ease of Access in Settings and change Text Size without messing with overall scaling. It’s a handy way to tweak just the fonts if everything else looks alright.
What if resizing stuffs up my experience?
No worries. Just head back and bump up the scale again. Often, it’s about finding that sweet spot, and Windows doesn’t always nail it on the first go.
Is there an easier way for quick zooming?
Absolutely. Use the shortcut Windows + Plus (+) to zoom in, and Windows + Minus (-) to zoom out. Great for eyeballing things before final tweaks.
Summary of Steps
- Open Settings with Windows + I
- Head to System
- Select Display
- Drop the Scale to a smaller percentage (like 100%)
- Let it settle, then adjust further if needed
Conclusion
Honestly, tinkering with display scaling is one of those things that seems pretty straightforward but can be a right pain if Windows is in a bit of a mood. Just keep fiddling until your stuff fits comfortably on the screen. The main aim is to squeeze more onto that big monitor without losing your mind over tiny fonts.
Yep, sometimes Windows makes things blurry or resets after updates. It’s a bit annoying, but not the end of the world. Keep playing with the scale until it looks proper, and don’t be shy to dive into resolution or other display tweaks.
Final tip
Hopefully this helps save a few hours for someone. Sometimes it’s just about mucking around enough to find the right setup. Good luck shrinking your display without losing your sanity!