Changing the Windows Font Size

You can also change the font size used by the Windows interface in the Display Properties dialog box. Right-click the desktop and then select Properties from the Shortcut menu.

On the Appearance tab, use the Font Size drop-down list to select the font size you want to use. The options typically available are Normal, Large, and Extra Large. When you have finished changing the font size, click OK to close the Properties dialog box.

Increasing the font size enlarges the text used for your menus, icon names, and the text in the various window title bars. Having the option to increase font size (or change the font type used) not only provides some room for creativity in terms of how the font looks on the various interface items, but also provides a more practical application. If you are using a higher resolution for Windows (such as 1024 ¥ 768, 1152 ¥ 864, or greater), the text can be difficult to read. You can increase the font size as needed so you can read the icon titles and title bar information. Increasing the font does mean that the icon and accompanying title text take up more space on the desktop.

The font options available are actually based on the theme, or visual style (or skin), that is currently applied to Windows. We discuss font size as a design element when we cover creating visual styles and skins later in this book.