Magnify your computer screen: 6 ways to make it easier to see
Many computer users struggle to see the information on their monitors. Fortunately, easy remedies are at hand. Read on to discover ways to make your screen easier to see, including how to make the font bigger, magnify everything on your screen, increase icon size, and fine-tune screen resolution.
1. Enlarge your text
You can increase the default size of text and other items, such as icons and mouse pointers, by increasing the dots per inch (DPI) scale. If you need everything to fit on the screen, you can decrease the size of the text and then use the Windows Magnifier to see the text as you type. Here’s how to enlarge text in the latest editions of Windows:
Windows XP
Right-click the desktop, and then point to Properties.
Select the Settings tab, and then click the Advanced button.
Note: You may need to restart your computer for the new settings to take effect.
If you have a mouse with a scroll wheel, many programs allow you to increase and decrease the size of on-screen text and graphics simply by pressing Ctrl while scrolling up and down. If you want to enlarge what you see in Internet Explorer but your mouse doesn’t have a scroll wheel, press Ctrl+Plus Sign (+); Ctrl+Minus Sign (-) shrinks what you see.
2. Customize your display
Changing the appearance of your on-screen environment can dramatically enhance readability. In Windows 7 and in Windows Vista, the Ease of Access Center can guide you through some basic display changes. In addition, certain Microsoft programs, such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, allow you to choose text and background color, and Internet Explorer allows you to choose the colors and fonts in which webpages are displayed. In addition, the core Microsoft Office programs allow you to change or customize their default color scheme. High contrast schemes are typically easiest to read. Here’s how:
Switching fonts and font color may also improve readability. In Word 2010, Excel 2010, and PowerPoint 2010, you can change the font, font size, and font color from the Ribbon on the Home tab. In Word, Ctrl+D also calls up font options. Experiment to find out which combinations work best for you.
If you use a CRT monitor (that is, not a flat panel), you can do your eyes a favor (and maybe literally prevent a headache) by resetting your monitor’s refresh rate. Here’s how:
3. Increase icon size
You can quickly make just the icons on your Windows 7 or Windows Vista desktop larger and easier to see.
Right-click the desktop, point to View, and then click Large Icons, Medium Icons, or Classic Icons (classic icons are the smallest).
You can also use the scroll wheel on your mouse to change the size of your desktop icons.
On the desktop, press Ctrl while you scroll up or down.
Learn more about how to show, hide, or resize icons.
To increase icon size in Windows XP:
Right-click the desktop, and then point to Properties.
On the Appearance tab, click the Advanced button.
In the Item drop-down list, select Icon.
Under Size, enter the desired size and then click OK.
In the Display Properties dialog box, click Apply.
Note: When you adjust the default icon size, you can also use the Font and Size functions to adjust the default font and font size for icon text.
4. Use the Magnifier
You may have been using Windows for years and not realized it features a built-in Magnifier that works much like a magnifying glass does. You can even adjust the Magnifier zoom level and focus wherever you want to.
The Magnifier in Windows 7 includes full-screen and lens modes. Full-screen mode lets you magnify your entire screen and follow your mouse pointer. In lens mode, only the area around the mouse pointer is magnified. When you move the mouse pointer, the magnified area moves with it. To customize Magnifier settings or to exit Magnifier, click the magnifying-glass icon to see available options. Learn more:
5. Enlarge your mouse pointer
You can change the look of your mouse pointer so it is easier for you to find quickly. Try selecting a new pointer style, and try changing the color and size of your mouse pointer.
Windows 7
Click the Start button 
, click Control Panel, and then, under Hardware and Sound, click Mouse.
Click the Pointers tab, and then do one of the following:
To change the look of all of your pointers, in the Scheme list, click a new mouse pointer scheme.
To change an individual pointer, in the Customize list, click the pointer you want to change, click Browse, click a pointer, and then click Open.
Learn more ways to change your Windows 7 mouse settings.
Windows Vista
Click the Start button , click Control Panel, and then, under Hardware and Sound, click Mouse.
Click the Pointers tab, and then do one of the following:
To change the look of all of your pointers, in the Scheme list, click a new mouse pointer scheme.
To change an individual pointer, in the Customize list, click the pointer you want to change, click Browse, click a pointer, and then click Open.
Learn more ways to change your Windows Vista mouse settings.
Windows XP
6. Improve your screen resolution
Screen resolution impacts the clarity of the text and images on your screen. At higher resolutions, items appear sharper but they are smaller, so more items fit on the screen. At lower resolutions, fewer items fit on the screen but they are larger and easier to see. Whichever version of Windows you use, changing the screen resolution can make a big difference.
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