How to Change Your Screen Resolution in Windows XP and Windows 7

This article will guide you through the process of how to change your screen resolution in both Windows XP and Windows 7.

What is your screen resolution?

Your screen resolution in Windows is the number of pixels that are shown on your monitor, usually represented by 2 sets of numbers describing the width and then the height of your monitor screen. Common Windows resolutions are 800x600, 1024x768, and 1280x1024. While all the different resolution settings use the same amount of space on your monitor, the higher the screen resolution, the smaller the icons will appear and the more you can fit on the screen. With the lower screen resolution setting, the icons appear bigger meaning you can fit less on the screen.

All Windows operation system gives you the ability to change screen resolutions to your preferred custom settings. While the method is generally the same in throughout the Operating Systems, there are some slight differences.

How to change your screen resolution in Windows XP.

To view the video version of this method, click here.

To change your screen resolution in Windows XP you will use the Display Properties window. There are 2 ways you can open the Display Properties window.

The quickest and by far the easiest way is from the desktop. If you right click on a space on your desktop and choose Properties from the bottom of the submenu that appears, this will open the Display Properties windows.

The second way to get to the Display Properties window is from the Control Panel. If you click on the Start Menu and choose Control Panel. You will see an icon called Display, double clicking this Display icon will open the Display Properties Windows.

Step 1 - Once you're at the Display Properties window, you need to click on the Settings tab at the top of the window.

Step 2 - You will now see a slider bar under the words screen resolution. You can move the bar from left to right to adjust the settings. Notice as you move the bar, there is a mini preview in the screen above the bar.

Step 3 - Once you're happy with your new screen resolution settings. Click on either the OK button or the Apply button to save the changes.

How to change your screen resolution in Windows 7.

To view the video version of this tutorial, click here - change screen resolution windows 7.

To change your screen resolution in Windows 7 you will use the Screen Resolution window. There are 2 ways you can open the Screen Resolution window.

Again, the quickest and by far the easiest way is from the desktop. If you right click on a space on your desktop and choose Screen Resolution from the bottom of the submenu that appears, this will open the Screen Resolution windows.

The second way to get to the Screen Resolution window is from the Control Panel. If you click on the Start Menu and choose Control Panel. Then click on the option that says Adjust screen resolution under the Appearance and Personalization section.

Step 1 - Once you're at the Screen Resolution window, you need to click on the dropdown box next to Resolution.

Step 2 - You will now see a slider bar next to the word Resolution. You can move the bar up and down to adjust the settings. Notice as you move the bar, there is a mini preview in the screen above.

Step 3 - Once you're happy with your new screen resolution settings. Click on either the OK button or the Apply button to save the changes.

Final thought.

The reason I showed you these 2 Operating Systems is because you can use the same method to change the screen resolution on other Operating Systems. If you need to change the screen resolution on Windows Server 2003, use the same method as the Windows XP tutorial. If you need to change the screen resolution on Windows Vista, or Windows Server 2008, you can use the same method as the Windows 7 tutorial.

For more useful tutorials or if you would like to ask me any questions, you can get to my blog here - pc tutorial.