High DPI & Readability

Several new Windows 7 features improve readability and support high-DPI settings :

• Automatic configuration of the recommended DPI setting for compatible display devices.
• Manufacturers can override the defaults to provide device-specific settings if required.
• Redesigned Control Panel that guides users to choose a native display resolution.
• Per-user DPI settings in the persistence database.
• Better display quality at high-DPI settings.
• Support for high-DPI settings in Microsoft Internet Explorer and the Windows shell.

Research shows that about 45% of users do not configure their display to the native resolution. Microsoft believes that most of these users select a lower screen resolution because the default text is too small at the native resolution. Windows 7 addresses these issues by automatically configuring the recommended DPI for applicable machines, while still enabling manufacturers to override this default by setting their own DPI preference.

To guide users to choose a native resolution, Windows 7 introduces a more accessible and informative DPI application in the Control Panel. Users can also change the DPI without rebooting (log off and log on are required) and can choose their own DPI setting. Finally, Windows 7 provides greatly improved display quality at high DPI. Internet Explorer is now fully DPI-aware and all of Window’s shell supports up to 144 DPI.

Windows 7 High DPI Features

Windows 7 improves on the high-DPI support that was provided in Windows Vista and previous releases by using the monitor EDID information and enhancing the existing High-DPI settings page. The improvements are discussed in the following sections.

Change Of DPI Without Reboot

In Windows Vista, changing the DPI setting required a system reboot. This is no longer necessary in Windows 7. However, a system logoff and logon is still required for the new DPI settings to take effect.

Per-User DPI Setting

In previous Windows versions, the DPI setting was per-machine only. Windows 7 supports per-user DPI settings so that users who share a PC can have independent DPI settings for a personalized viewing experience.

Automatic Configuration Of DPI

Customer data also reveals that many monitors already support high DPI. However, relatively few are configured for the optimal DPI and native screen resolution.

Windows 7 automatically configures the native resolution and corresponding DPI setting during setup, so that the user no longer is required to guess at the correct configuration. Windows 7 never configures the DPI to produce an effective resolution lower than 1024x768. The table on the right shows how Windows 7 maps the screen size to the DPI.

Other Microsoft Scoops :

• The Microsoft Windows 7 Free Upgrade Program
• Direct3D Improvements In Windows 7
• Windows Anytime Upgrade For Windows 7 Revealed!
• Windows Office 14 Details Leaked!
• An Inside Look Into The New Windows 7 Experience Index!
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0 RTM Details
• The Microsoft Windows 7 SKU Strategy Revealed!
• The Latest Microsoft Windows 7 Roadmap
• Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 2 Details
• Windows Vista Service Pack 2's Latest Release Schedule
• Latest Details On Windows Vista Service Pack 2
• Installing DirectX 9 Can & Will Kill DirectX 10

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