Windows 10 Build 14986 brings high DPI support for classic Windows apps

2 min. read

Published on December 13, 2016

published on December 13, 2016

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Microsoft announced Windows 10 build 14986 for Windows Insiders on the Fast Ring last week with comprehensive details about all the changes with Cortana, Windows Defender dashboard, and other features. However, the software giant was mum on changes in Windows’ DPI scaling. Days later, Microsoft updated its original announcement with more details about the high DPI support for classic Windows apps.

Nonetheless, a few Insiders noticed how some of the classic Windows applications were rendered on high DPI screens. Microsoft’s updated blog post now confirm support for high DPI screens.

“Improved high DPI support for desktop apps: Your feedback is important to us, and a few months ago, we shared a discussion about the progress we’d made to high DPI scaling in the Anniversary Update. With the release of Build 14986 to Windows Insiders, we’re very excited to share the next part in that story. Windows Insiders with high DPI devices, such as the Surface Book, will now see improved crispness in the text of a number of desktop applications that previously would display blurry – in particular Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap ins like Device Manager. This story has yet another chapter, so keep an eye out for more on this subject in future flights.”

High DPI support for classic apps on Surface devices

The changes in DPI scaling are now noticeable on the Surface Book or the latest Surface Pro models for users that run the latest preview builds. If you want to experience the high DPI support for classic Windows apps, you can join the Windows Insider program.

Microsoft began to work on improvements for DPI scaling on new devices in the previous releases of Windows. The upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update also aims to further enhance DPI scaling. More specifically, Microsoft is making several changes to better accomodate classic Win32 applications.

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Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.