Windows applications: User interface controls too small on high DPI displays

The problem: Controls are too small

You’re running an application on a PC with a high DPI display and some (or all) of the controls are too small. You do not want to change the system-wide scaling settings just to make this application more usable.

The solution: Change the app’s high DPI setting

Windows 10 allows you to change the high DPI settings for each application.

1. Open the application.
2. Right-click on the app icon in the taskbar.
3. Right-click on the app’s name.
4. Select Properties:
   

If this method does not work, locate the application’s folder and right-click on the application file (.exe), then select Properties.

5. Select the Compatibility tab.
6. Click on Change high DPI settings:

7. Check the Override high DPI scaling behavior checkbox and select a new setting from the drop-down list:

8. Confirm both open dialogs with OK.
   

“System” should solve the issue of some controls being smaller than others), though the app will look a bit blurry. “System (enhanced)” will try to make everything look more crisp. You might want to try out all settings (and you may have to restart the app to see any changes).

You can find further information on the settings in this Windows Blog article under “End-user DPI-scaling improvements”.