resizing desktop icon text seems to change the size of program windows

[mpooley]

I have a PC connected to my tv in the lounge which i use as a media centre mainly.
It's 4 meters away from my armchair and my eyes aren't so good any more so I increased the icon text size to 150%.
that was fine except the one other Program I use regularly, which has a fixed windows size is now too big for the screen.

I only wanted the text size altered. Why is this happening?

PC is win 7 and I altered the text size from control panel/display BTW

thanks

Mike

 

[Pauly]

Im no expert on this but i thought if increasing above 100% you may need to reduce screen resolution to still fit display window

Although im not sure what that would look like on a big tv ?

 

[mpooley]

do you mean increase screen resolution?
surely if I decrease the resolution the fixed window would get even bigger.

if you meant decrease the screen resolution, i can't as it's at max already

thanks

Mike

 

[lehnerus2000]

Try Font Size Instead Of DPI

Some programs can't cope if you change the DPI (normally programs with fixed window sizes).

I have several programs that are almost impossible to use at 125%.
They can't be used at 150%, because the text and/or buttons no longer appear in the window.

You can alter the Icon Font Size only.

Personalize > Window Color > Advanced appearance settings
​

​

 

[Pauly]

 

[mpooley]

Some programs can't cope if you change the DPI (normally programs with fixed window sizes).

I have several programs that are almost impossible to use at 125%.
They can't be used at 150%, because the text and/or buttons no longer appear in the window.

You can alter the Icon Font Size only.

Personalize > Window Color > Advanced appearance settings
​

View attachment 245595

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AH! thanks mate. they hid that away well didn't they

all I need to know now is how to make the text labels under the icons wider so they dont wrap so much and I'll be a happy bunny .

I did google it and found that a recommendation to increase the horizontal icon spacing but this doesn't seem to work?

thanks

Mike

 

[lehnerus2000]

Icon Spacing

Note:
You may have to click the pictures several times to view them at 100%.

Some programs can't cope if you change the DPI (normally programs with fixed window sizes).

I have several programs that are almost impossible to use at 125%.
They can't be used at 150%, because the text and/or buttons no longer appear in the window.

You can alter the Icon Font Size only.

Personalize > Window Color > Advanced appearance settings
​

View attachment 245595
​

AH! thanks mate. they hid that away well didn't they

Most of those settings have been eliminated totally in Windows 8!

all I need to know now is how to make the text labels under the icons wider so they dont wrap so much and I'll be a happy bunny .

I did google it and found that a recommendation to increase the horizontal icon spacing but this doesn't seem to work?

You can accomplish that (sort of) by changing the "Icon Spacing (Horizontal)" and/or "Icon Spacing (Vertical)" (both have maximum values of 150).
They are found in the same location (see the list in the previous picture).

It may not be very effective though.
It only works properly on the Desktop.
I set the maximum values for "Icon Spacing (Horizontal)" and "Icon Spacing (Vertical)", but only the Desktop used them!

​

Brink (or other members) may know of a Registry hack to restore that ability to Windows Explorer.

For your TV setup, you might try using the "Extra Large Icons" view.

A different Font may also be better for "long-range" viewing (you could experiment).

Unfortunately, you may have to consider renaming some of your files.

I use "Details" view in Windows Explorer and I have the "Name" column set to ~30% of my entire screen width (560px out of 1920px) and it's still not wide enough for some file names!

Another option may be to use a different file manager.
I can adjust the spacing and size in FreeCommander (free download).
The folder icons look a bit rough, but the picture thumbnails come out OK.

​

In that picture, I set the view to:

• A single column (100% : 0%)
• The thumbnails to 200x200
• Horizontal spacing to 100

 

[mpooley]

Thanks mate will try that!