How to adjust Desktop Size and Position in Windows 11/10

While Windows OS allows you to change the monitor’s resolution, there is no way to resize what is displayed on it. If you are wondering why somebody needs it, we will share a practical problem after this. This post will share how you can adjust desktop size and position in Windows.

Why does someone want to adjust desktop size and position?

A Reddit member shared this:

I recently moved into a new apartment with a shelf right above the desk. My monitor is just about able to fit in between the shelf and the desk. However, the top 2 inches of my monitor screen are covered by the shelf, so I cannot see the top of the screen. I was just wondering if there is any way to adjust my display so that all of the output from my pc is displayed on a smaller subset of the monitor screen (i.e., so that nothing is displayed on the top 2 inches of the monitor). I have tried changing the display resolution in windows settings, but this didn’t give a suitable fix. I have also gone into the Intel Graphics Command Center to adjust the display scaling – however, this only allows me to bring the screen in by a small amount, so it still leaves the top inch of my monitor covered.

How to adjust Desktop Size and Position in Windows 11/10

While Windows doesn’t offer this feature, you can adjust the desktop size and position if you have a compatible GPU that allows it.

1. NVIDIA Control Panel
2. Change Display Size from Monitor Hardware Menu

1] NVIDIA Control Panel

If you have an NVIDIA GPU, it allows you to resize using the NVIDIA Control Panel. The software offers a dedicated—Adjust Desktop Size and Position—a section where you can scale and size. The later section allows you to resize the desktop.

• Open NVIDIA Control Panel and go to Display > Adjust Desktop Size and Position.
• Switch to Size, and then select Enable desktop resizing.
• Click on Resize and confirm the changes.
• It will then display a layover UI with a slider that allows you to resize and see it live.

The only drawback is that if you don’t choose to maintain the aspect ratio, then it may look crunched. If you do it, things will look smaller. However, you can change the resolution and scale it up to compensate for it.

If you do not have NVIDIA, look for your OEM software that can do it.

Read: Adjust your monitor for for better screen resolution

2] Change Display Size from Monitor Hardware Menu

Some monitors offer the option to resize as part of the hardware menu, which you can access through the buttons available at the bottom of the monitor. However, some of the expensive monitors do it through software. So you will need to look at the OEM website or manual to determine the possibility.

I hope the post was easy to follow, and you were able to adjust desktop size and position in Windows. While not many need it, if you have a particular need like above, then this works.

Why is my computer screen so big all of a sudden?

It’s because either you have accidentally changed the resolution to lower levels, or an application has done it. If you have a high-resolution monitor and play a game that works on a lower resolution, the resolution may not revert to the default one. You can manually change it using the Display Settings in the desktop right-click menu.

How do I shrink my screen back to normal size in a browser?

You can use CTRL and Minus/Plus sign to change the zoom level or press CTRL + O to return to the default zoom level. You can also use Ctrl + mouse wheel to change the zoom level. I have noticed that when copying text, as soon as you press Ctrl and then use the mouse to copy the text, the zoom level changes accidentally.

How do I Unzoom my desktop screen?

If you see everything big on your desktop, you have accidentally turned on the magnifier or are using software that can do it. You will have to quit the application that is doing it. Usually, the default to zoom in and out is Control and plus and minus sign anywhere. So make sure to give it a try.

How do I change Monitor Position in Windows 11?

Open the Display option in Settings app. Drag a display from its current number and drop it to re-arrange it. But this doesn’t change the monitor position actually. It is helpful when using Extend mode with multi-monitors to move mouse cursor and applications from one display to another.