Windows 11 is enlarging text within my games and apps and is ruining products that I have been using for years.

Set Accessibility > Text size back toward its default first; if only particular older games remain oversized, disable Windows DPI scaling for each affected game executable rather than changing scaling globally.

1. Reset Windows-wide enlargement

1. Press Windows key + Esc once. This closes Magnifier if it was accidentally activated.
2. Open Start > Settings > Accessibility > Text size.
3. Move the slider left until the preview is normal, then select Apply. This control changes text independently of images and other interface elements.^1^
4. Open Settings > System > Display.
5. If multiple monitors are shown, select the monitor where the game runs.
6. Under Scale & layout:
   • Set Scale to the option marked Recommended.
   • Set Display resolution to Recommended.

Using a lower-than-native resolution can stretch the image, while an unsuitable scale setting can enlarge text and application content.^2^ 7. Sign out and back in, then retest. Some applications require a new sign-in before scaling changes are fully applied.^3^

Avoid entering a custom scaling percentage unless necessary; Microsoft does not recommend custom scaling.^1^

2. If only particular older games or apps are affected

Older programs may not be DPI-aware, so Windows can scale their entire output. Apply the workaround only to affected programs:

1. Close the game.
2. Find its actual .exe file:
   • Right-click its shortcut and select Open file location.
   • If that opens another shortcut, right-click it and choose Open file location again.
   • For games with launchers, locate the game executable rather than changing only the launcher.
3. Right-click the .exe and select Properties > Compatibility.
4. Use the available high-DPI/display-scaling compatibility option to tell Windows not to scale that application, then select Apply > OK.
5. Relaunch the game and check its menus and text.

Microsoft documents per-application scaling overrides as preferable to changing global desktop DPI for one problematic game.^4^

The exact wording in the compatibility dialog can vary. If the dialog presents Change high DPI settings, open it and use its application-specific scaling override. If that control is absent, use the display-scaling option directly on the Compatibility tab. Disabling scaling can make content too small or cause clipping, so revert the change if it makes that game worse.^5^

3. If the display settings change again unexpectedly

Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Microsoft specifically recommends checking graphics-driver updates when screen resolution changes unexpectedly.^2^

If one older program still fails:

1. Check the game or application publisher for a Windows 11-compatible update.
2. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Run Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.^6^

Do not start with third-party driver-removal utilities: the symptom does not by itself establish a corrupted graphics driver, and the safer display and per-application DPI settings should be tested first.

References

1. Make Windows easier to see | Microsoft Support
2. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/display-graphics/change-your-screen-resolution-and-layout-in-windows)
3. Make text and apps bigger | Microsoft Support
4. Mouse input in some games is incorrectly scaled on high-DPI devices
5. Fixing blurry text in Windows for IT Professionals
6. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/apps/make-older-apps-or-programs-compatible-with-the-latest-version-of-windows#summary)