At the moment, I am running Windows 10 and have configured the HIGHDPIAWARE (high-DPI scaling) feature individually for each application by modifying the registry key.
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
With these values :
How can I apply the HIGHDPIAWARE feature to all applications without having to manually specify it for each one?
2 Answers
Introduction
Windows 10 is a popular operating system that is used by millions of people worldwide. One of the features of Windows 10 is the High-DPI scaling attribute, which allows users to adjust the size of text and other elements on their screen. This feature is particularly useful for those who have high-resolution displays or who struggle to read small text. In this blog post, we will discuss how to set the High-DPIAWARE attribute in the registry key for all apps.
Understanding High-DPI Scaling
High-DPI scaling is a feature in Windows 10 that allows users to adjust the size of text, icons, and other elements on their screen. This feature is particularly useful for those who have high-resolution displays or who struggle to read small text. High-DPI scaling works by increasing the number of pixels that are used to display an image or text. This makes the image or text appear larger and easier to read.
However, not all apps are compatible with High-DPI scaling. Some older apps may appear blurry or distorted when High-DPI scaling is enabled. To address this issue, Windows 10 includes a High-DPIAWARE attribute that can be set in the registry key for each app.
Setting the High-DPIAWARE Attribute for All Apps
To set the High-DPIAWARE attribute in the registry key for all apps, you will need to create a new registry key. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “regedit” in the Run dialog box.
2. Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop
3. Right-click on the Desktop key and select New > Key. Name the new key “PerMonitorSettings”.
4. Right-click on the PerMonitorSettings key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new value “SystemDPIAware”.
5. Double-click on the SystemDPIAware value and set the value data to “1”.
6. Restart your computer to apply the changes.
These steps will enable High-DPI scaling for all apps on your computer. However, it is important to note that some older apps may still not be compatible with High-DPI scaling and may appear blurry or distorted.
Benefits of High-DPI Scaling
High-DPI scaling is a useful feature for those who have high-resolution displays or who struggle to read small text. By increasing the size of text and other elements on the screen, High-DPI scaling can make it easier to read and navigate through apps and websites. This can help to reduce eye strain and fatigue, especially for those who spend long periods of time in front of a computer screen.
In addition, High-DPI scaling can also improve the overall appearance of text and images on your screen. By increasing the number of pixels used to display an image or text, High-DPI scaling can make images and text appear sharper and more detailed.
Challenges with High-DPI Scaling
While High-DPI scaling can be a useful feature, it is not without its challenges. Some older apps may not be compatible with High-DPI scaling and may appear blurry or distorted when the feature is enabled. In addition, some newer apps may not be designed to take advantage of High-DPI scaling, which can result in inconsistent scaling and display issues.
Another challenge with High-DPI scaling is that it can impact the performance of your computer. Because High-DPI scaling requires more resources to display images and text, it can slow down your computer and cause lag or stuttering in some apps.
Conclusion
High-DPI scaling is a useful feature in Windows 10 that can make it easier to read and navigate through apps and websites. By enabling the High-DPIAWARE attribute in the registry key for all apps, you can ensure that High-DPI scaling is enabled for all apps on your computer. However, it is important to note that some older apps may not be compatible with High-DPI scaling and may appear blurry or distorted. If you experience issues with High-DPI scaling, you may need to disable the feature for certain apps or upgrade to newer versions of the app that are designed to support High-DPI scaling.
It is not possible to apply the high-dpi awareness feature to old applications without making any modifications. This is because such applications require the use of newer high-dpi APIs. Applications need to declare themselves as high-dpi aware through a manifest file or API calls.
If this is not done, Windows will scale them bitmap-wise, resulting in blurry images. The registry key mentioned above is used to manage the detailed settings for this feature.
- HIGHDPIAWARE: Disable Display Scaling on High DPI Settings – Scaling performed by: Application (Win7/10)
- DPIUNAWARE: Scaling performed by: Application (Win10 build 15002+)
- GDIDPISCALING DPIUNAWARE: Scaling performed by: System (Enhanced) (Win10 build 15002+)
Essentially, the registry key mentioned previously is the same as the DPI-override settings in the compatibility tab of the *.exe file’s properties. However, setting the HIGHDPIAWARE attribute in the …\AppCompatFlags\Layers location does not automatically make an app high-dpi aware.
It simply informs Windows that the app is high-dpi aware and disables scaling. As a result, the app appears smaller on high-dpi displays, but the output is sharper. While it is possible to set the flag for multiple apps at once, this is not the recommended way to address the issue.
Overriding high-dpi settings for all apps may cause real high-dpi aware apps to malfunction.