According to a Microsoft Documentation page on ClearType, the registry values that control it are located under “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Avalon.Graphics\display names”. However, we cannot find a registry folder named “Avalon.Graphics” or anything similar on our Windows 10 machines. We are trying to locate the keys that are responsible for controlling ClearType settings.
We have already set the keys for FontSmoothing and FontSmoothingGamma to 2 and 1200 respectively, in a different location (HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop) for enabling FontSmoothing, but we are still experiencing pixelated fonts throughout the system. It appears that something has changed and these keys are no longer the only values required to fix the issue.
1 Answer
Introduction
ClearType is a technology developed by Microsoft that helps to improve the readability of text on LCD screens. It uses sub-pixel rendering to smooth font edges and make them clearer and sharper. ClearType was first introduced in Windows XP and has been included in all subsequent versions of Windows. In Windows 10, ClearType can be adjusted using the ClearType Text Tuner, but it can also be adjusted manually by modifying registry settings. In this blog post, we will explore where to find the ClearType entries in the Windows 10 Registry.
Understanding ClearType Registry Settings
Before we dive into where to find the ClearType entries in the Windows 10 Registry, let’s first understand what ClearType Registry Settings are. ClearType Registry Settings are registry keys that control the way ClearType works on your system. These settings determine the strength of ClearType, the type of font smoothing used, and other ClearType-related settings.
HKCUControl PanelDesktop
As mentioned in the input, one of the locations where ClearType Registry Settings can be found is under “HKCUControl PanelDesktop”. This is the location where ClearType Registry Settings were traditionally stored in earlier versions of Windows. The two keys that control ClearType in this location are “FontSmoothing” and “FontSmoothingGamma”. Setting the value of “FontSmoothing” to 2 enables ClearType, while setting “FontSmoothingGamma” to 1200 adjusts the contrast of the ClearType font smoothing. However, as mentioned in the input, modifying these keys alone may not be sufficient to enable ClearType on Windows 10.
HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionFontSubstitutes
Another location where ClearType Registry Settings can be found is under “HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionFontSubstitutes”. This location stores registry keys that control font substitutions, but it also contains a key called “MS Shell Dlg 2”. This key controls the default font used by Windows, and it can be modified to enable ClearType. To enable ClearType, set the value of “MS Shell Dlg 2” to “Tahoma” or another font that supports ClearType.
HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionFontDPI
The “HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionFontDPI” location is another location where ClearType Registry Settings can be found. This location contains registry keys that control the DPI scaling of fonts on your system. The “LogPixels” key in this location controls the DPI setting, and it can be modified to enable ClearType. To enable ClearType, set the value of “LogPixels” to 96.
HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftAvalon.GraphicsDISPLAY1
The final location where ClearType Registry Settings can be found is under “HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftAvalon.GraphicsDISPLAY1”. This location stores registry keys that control the display settings for your system. The “TextContrastLevel” key in this location controls the strength of ClearType, and it can be modified to enable ClearType. To enable ClearType, set the value of “TextContrastLevel” to 2.
Conclusion
ClearType is an important technology that helps to improve the readability of text on LCD screens. While ClearType can be adjusted using the ClearType Text Tuner, it can also be adjusted manually by modifying registry settings. In this blog post, we explored where to find the ClearType entries in the Windows 10 Registry. We discussed the traditional location of ClearType Registry Settings under “HKCUControl PanelDesktop”, as well as other locations such as “HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionFontSubstitutes”, “HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionFontDPI”, and “HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftAvalon.GraphicsDISPLAY1”. By modifying these registry keys, you can adjust ClearType to your liking and improve the readability of text on your LCD screen.