high-dpi-fix

How to improve apps that don't work with high-DPI displays on Windows 10.

Background

I find that many engineering applications don't properly handle high-resolution displays on Windows 10 (sometimes called High-DPI or Retina displays). The result is ugly text boxes, tiny icons, etc.

Luckily, there's a simple fix.

Procedure

1. Using File Explorer, find the .exe file that has problems in Windows File Explorer. If you search for the file using Windows+"name", you want to keep opening the file location until you get to the .exe (or Application). You'll see this in the clip below.

2. Right-click>Properties

3. Select Compatibility.

4. At bottom of tab, select Change high DPI settings.

5. On the resulting window, at the bottom, select [x] Override high DPI scaling behavior. Scaling performed by:.

6. Change the dropdown to System (Enhanced).

Animated run-through

This GIF will give you a feeling for the process.