Adjust Display Scaling and Orientation in Windows 11

Windows 11 allows users to independently customize the scaling factor and screen orientation for each connected monitor in a multi-display setup. This guide explains how to access your display settings, identify individual monitors, and adjust display scaling to improve readability or change orientation between landscape and portrait modes to match your physical workspace.

Access Display Settings in Windows 11

  1. Right-click anywhere on an empty area of your desktop.
  2. Select Display settings from the context menu (or press Windows Key + I, select System, then click Display).

Select and Identify Your Displays

At the top of the Display settings page, you will see a graphical representation of your connected monitors numbered as 1, 2, etc.

  1. Click the Identify button to display large numbers on your physical screens to confirm which monitor corresponds to which number in the settings.
  2. Click on the specific monitor rectangle in the diagram that you wish to adjust. The selected monitor will be highlighted in blue.

Adjust Individual Display Scaling

Display scaling changes the size of text, apps, and other items without altering the native screen resolution.

  1. Ensure the correct monitor is selected in the top diagram.
  2. Scroll down to the Scale & layout section.
  3. Locate the Scale setting.
  4. Click the dropdown menu next to Scale and choose a percentage (such as 100%, 125%, 150%, or 175%).
  5. The change applies immediately to the selected monitor.
  6. (Optional) For advanced adjustments, click the arrow next to Scale to enter a custom scaling size between 100% and 500%.

Change Display Orientation

Changing the orientation allows you to use monitors vertically for coding, reading, or browsing.

  1. Ensure the correct monitor is selected in the top diagram.
  2. Under the Scale & layout section, locate Display orientation.
  3. Click the dropdown menu and choose one of the following options:
    • Landscape: Standard horizontal display.
    • Portrait: Vertical display.
    • Landscape (flipped): Inverted horizontal display.
    • Portrait (flipped): Inverted vertical display.
  4. Click Keep changes on the confirmation prompt within 15 seconds to save your configuration.

Rearrange Monitor Alignment

After changing orientations or physical positions:

  1. Click and drag the monitor rectangles at the top of the screen to match their physical arrangement on your desk.
  2. Click Apply to ensure the mouse cursor moves seamlessly between screens.