Windows 10 gets improved high-DPI support for desktop apps

As the Windows 10 Creators Update release draws near, Microsoft is revealing more and more details about it with the recently rolled out build 15002 — the biggest Creators Update yet.

As a quick reminder, Microsoft started rolling out major DPI improvements with build 14986, adding high DPI support for classic Windows apps. Now, the latest Windows 10 build brings improved high-DPI support for desktop apps.

Windows 10 Creators Update adds high-DPI support for desktop apps

Microsoft updated Performance Monitor (Perfmon) to deliver clearer images on high-DPI PCs. The new high-DPI improvements are now enabled by default for some Windows desktop apps, but users can also enable them through other GDI-based apps.

Here’s how to enable high-DPI support on Windows 10:
1. Find the app’s .exe file > right-click on it > select Properties
2. Go to the Compatibility tab > turn on System (Enhanced) DPI scaling > click OK

This setting works by overriding the way that applications handle DPI scaling, forcing them to be scaled by Windows. This feature comes in very handy when DPI scaling uses bitmap stretching, which can result in blurry images being rendered.

Also, the option Disable display scaling on high DPI settings is now labeled Application scaling.

By introducing enhanced high DPI support for Windows apps, Microsoft makes it easier for developers to update their desktop app to be per-monitor DPI aware. Of course, there are many things to polish with DPI-scaling functionality, but we’re sure Microsoft will continue bringing more improvements to this area with the upcoming builds.

For more information about the importance of high DPI scaling improvements for desktop apps, you can check out Microsoft’s dedicated post.

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