How to Change Screen Resolution
The resolution of your computer screen can affect the way you perceive images on your computer, and helps you accomplish tasks better and more efficiently. With high resolution images and more sophisticated programs, you can increase the resolution on most monitors to give you the most amount of workspace on your computer desktop. Here are some tips to help you change your screen resolution.
Why Change Screen Resolution?
There are many reasons why you may need to change the resolution of your computer monitor:
Hardware. Many new monitors now feature display resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 for full high-definition, which is perfect for movies, multimedia, and many other applications. To maximize your use of the hardware, you may want to increase the screen resolution to get crisp, high-definition images and video.
Computing needs. People who use computers for worksheets, digital video and photo editing, or coding and programming need to have a wide space to work with multiple windows.
Preferences. Sometimes high display resolutions on a computer screen can make text smaller, or that some users may feel overwhelmed by the new view. Some computer monitors may not be able to display images and multimedia properly on a high-resolution, especially if you have a CRT monitor instead of an LCD panel.
Changing Resolutions
To change your screen resolution, follow these steps:
Minimize all windows and right-click on the Desktop.
Select the Properties tab on the dialog box.
Set the resolution of your screen using the slider on the dialog box.
Apply the settings. Depending on how your computer is configured, you may need to restart Windows for the new settings to take effect.
Recommended Resolutions
Values for display resolutions are denoted by multiplication. The first value denotes the number of pixels on the width of the monitor, and the second value denotes the number of pixels on the height of the screen. When you multiply these two values together, you’ll get the total amount of pixels displayed on the entire screen. While a higher screen resolution usually means a more defined and clearer image, not all monitors can accommodate high display resolutions. Here are some reminders when changing display resolutions:
For older CRT monitors, you may want to stick to a 1024 x 768 display to avoid damaging the cathode ray tube and prolong the life of the screen.
For high-end LCD panels, you may want to use the highest display settings to maximize the physical dimension of the monitor. You may need to adjust the monitor, though, if text sizes are too small or if you find the screen too wide or too tall for navigation.
A great resolution size for both CRT and LCD monitors is 1280 pixels by 1024 pixels. That resolution is high enough for people who work with multiple windows, but it does not make text look too small.
High resolution images and videos make it more engaging and involving to work with a computer. With these steps, you can change your computer’s display resolution to make it easier for you to accomplish your tasks, and to maximize your use of hardware.