Make items on the screen appear larger (Magnifier)

Magnifier, the magnification program built into Windows Vista, enables you to choose magnification levels from 2 to 16 times the original, and to choose to track the mouse, the keyboard, or text editing.

There are two ways to start Magnifier:

  • Start Magnifier from Quick Access to common tools for use in the current session, or
  • Turn on Magnifier so that it automatically starts each time you log on.

Start Magnifier for the current session

Mouse actionsKeyboard actions
1

To open the Ease of Access Center, select:

  • Start.
  • Control Panel.
  • Ease of Access.
  • Ease of Access Center.

To open the Ease of Access Center, press:

  • Windows logo key Windows logo key+U.
2

Under Quick access to common tools, select:

  • Start Magnifier.

Under Quick access to common tools, select:

  • Start Magnifier by pressing ALT+G.

Turn on Magnifier so that it starts automatically each time you log on to your computer

Mouse actionsKeyboard actions
1

Under Explore all settings, select:

  • Make the computer easier to see.

Under Explore all settings, select:

  • Make the computer easier to see, by pressing TAB, then ENTER.
2

Under Make things on the screen larger, select:

  • Turn on Magnifier.
  • Select Save.

Under Make things on the screen larger, select:

  • Turn on Magnifier by pressing ALT+N.
  • Select Save by pressing ALT+S.

More Magnifier Tutorials




Magnifier Tip

To hide the Magnifier settings window:

  • Press TAB to move to the Hide button.
  • Press ENTER.

When the Magnifier settings window is minimized to the taskbar, open it by pressing:

  • The Windows logo key Windows logo key+T.
  • Arrow keys to select Magnifier.
  • SPACEBAR.
Screenshot of Magnifier