This wikiHow teaches you how to enlarge the text, images, and other content displayed on a Windows computer screen. If you only need to zoom in on a single web page or photo, you can use keyboard shortcuts, mouse scroll wheel, or touchscreen gestures. If you need to zoom in on the entire screen, you can use an accessibility tool or feature called “Magnifier”.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Enlarge One Window View
Step 1. Open the app or page that needs to be enlarged
You can use keyboard shortcuts or special gestures to zoom in and out of content in most applications. This step is useful when you need to zoom in on content such as website pages or photos.
Step 2. Press Ctrl++ to zoom in
You can press this key combination as many times as needed to see the content or object more clearly.
- If you are using a mouse with a scroll wheel, you can zoom in by pressing the “ Ctrl ' while rolling the wheel upwards.
- If your computer has a touch screen, place two fingers on the screen and drag in opposite directions to zoom in.
- This feature is not always available in all applications.
Step 3. Press Ctrl+- to zoom out
As with zoom in, you can keep pressing that key combination as many times as you want to zoom out.
- If you are using a mouse with a scroll wheel, hold down the “ Ctrl ' while rolling the wheel downwards.
- If you are using a touch screen, pinch the screen with two fingers to zoom out.
Step 4. Press Ctl + "0" to return to normal zoom or display size.
Method 2 of 3: Enlarge the Whole Screen Display with the “Magnifier” Feature
Step 1. Press Win++ on the keyboard
Press the button " Windows " and " + ” (plus) simultaneously to enable the “Magnifier” feature in Windows 10 and 8.1. This tool will instantly zoom in on the entire screen until you change the settings.
- If you are using Windows 7, click the “Start” button, type magnifier into the search bar, and select “ Magnifier ” in the search results.
- Windows 10 and 8 users who may prefer to use the mouse can also open the " Magnifier " feature by accessing the " menu " Settings ” > “ Ease of Access ” > “ Magnifier ” > “ Turn on Magnifier ” (or use the slider).
Step 2. Click + to enlarge the view
After that, the entire screen display will be enlarged. Keep clicking the button until you reach the desired zoom level.
- The zoom percentage (e.g. “200%”) will be updated as the zoom or reduction is applied.
- If you want to zoom in with the keyboard, press the “ Windows " and " + ” (same shortcut to unlock features or equipment).
Step 3. Click - to zoom out
As with zoom, you can click the button repeatedly until you reach the desired level of zoom out.
You can also zoom out by pressing the “ Windows " and " -(minus).
Step 4. Click the Views menu to specify a zoom location
The default option that is automatically set is the entire screen, but you also have a few other options:
- Option " Lens ” acts like a magnifying glass that you can move to other parts of the screen.
- Option " Full-screen ” function enlarges the entire screen display (main option).
- Option " Docked ” enlarges a fixed area of the screen in a specific bar or box. The enlarged content will be displayed in a grid as you move the cursor.
Step 5. Click the gear icon to manage the preferences of the “Magnifier” feature
The “Magnifier” panel will open in the settings window and you can customize the features as you wish afterward.
- If you want “Magnifier” to run automatically when the computer starts up, select the “ Start Magnifier after sign-in " or " Start Magnifier before sign-in for everyone ”.
- To change the main view, select an option from the "Choose a view" menu.
Step 6. Click the X in the upper right corner of the window to close the “Magnifier” feature
Method 3 of 3: Using the Zoom Feature in a Web Browser
Step 1. Open a web browser
All web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, have a built-in zoom option that can be accessed through various menus.
Step 2. Open the browser menu
In most browsers, this menu is in the upper-right corner of the window.
- Microsoft Edge: Horizontal three dots icon
- Google Chrome: Three vertical dots icon
- Mozilla Firefox: Three horizontal lines icon
- Internet Explorer: If you are using this browser, click the “ View ” at the top of the window and select the menu “ Zoom ” to access the zoom control buttons.
Step 3. Click + to enlarge the page view
You can see the "Zoom" option in the menu in most browsers. Click the button " + ” on the left side of the "Zoom" text in the menu to zoom in on the entire web page.
The zoom level (e.g. “125%”) will update when you click the button
Step 4. Click - to zoom out the page
It's to the right of the "Zoom" text. The content or objects on each page will be minimized.
Step 5. Press Ctl + "0" to return to the original magnification or page size.
