Windows and chrome UI text is getting smaller throughout updates

Jonathan Chiu 20 Reputation points
2026-10-23T16:46:39.13+00:00

A while ago, after my windows computer updated i saw that all my app icons were out of place. All of the text had shrunk. And when I went on chrome all the text in my toolbar(bookmarks, new tab, new window etc.) had also shrunk. I had just gotten a new monitor so i was able to fix this by just adjusting the text size to 150%. But recently after my computer updated last night it has happened again, and my app icons are yet again all over the place and my bookmarks bar and tabs text is tiny. I do not want to change the text size because it is just right for me at the moment, but i don't know how to change just the text size of these. Any help would be appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Display and graphics
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Answer accepted by question author
Emma1-N 14,895 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-10-24T03:14:13.5233333+00:00

Welcome Jonathan Chiu,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A. I understand how frustrating it is when the icons and text shrink again after an update, especially when you already found a size that suits you. Let's get this sorted.

To narrow this down, could you please tell me:

  • What percentage is currently shown under Settings > System > Display > Scale (and does it say Recommended)?
  • Is the text also smaller in File Explorer and the Settings app, or only on the desktop icons and in Chrome?
  • Are you using one monitor or more than one?

In the meantime, please try these steps, testing after each one:

Step 1: Refresh the display scale

  • Right-click an empty area of the desktop and select Display settings
  • Under Scale & layout, note your current Scale value, then change it to a different option.
  • Change it back to your preferred value (for example, 150%), then sign out of Windows and sign back in.
  • While you are there, check that "Display resolution" is set to the option marked "Recommended".

Step 2: Enlarge only the text, not the whole screen

  • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Text size
  • Move the Text size slider to the right until the sample looks comfortable, then select Apply
  • Close and reopen Chrome so it picks up the change.

Step 3: Put the desktop icons back and stop them moving

  • Right-click the desktop and select View
  • Make sure "Auto arrange icons" is unchecked. Align icons to grid can stay on.
  • Drag the icons back to where you want them, then restart the PC once and check that they stay there.

Looking forward to your update.

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