If your PC screen looks too large or stretched, or if the text and icons are oversized, it can make browsing, working or gaming uncomfortable. Whether you are using a desktop monitor or a laptop, making the screen appear smaller can improve visibility and help you make better use of your screen space.
In this article, you will learn how to adjust your display settings in Windows, how to resize windows and content, and how to make your PC screen look more manageable across different tasks.
Why Your Screen Might Look Too Large
A screen that appears too big is often the result of incorrect display settings. This could be caused by using the wrong screen resolution, display scaling or zoom levels within apps and browsers. You might also notice this issue if you have recently connected to a different monitor or projector, or if Windows has automatically chosen settings that do not match your screen.
The good news is that you can change these settings easily, and doing so can help you restore a balanced and comfortable screen layout.
Adjusting Display Resolution in Windows
The screen resolution determines how much content fits on your display. A lower resolution makes everything look bigger, while a higher resolution fits more on screen but makes things appear smaller.
To change this, right-click on the desktop and select Display settings. Scroll down to Display resolution and choose the recommended option or a higher one if available. Windows should automatically apply the setting and give you the option to confirm the change.
Keep in mind that setting the resolution too high can make text too small to read on some screens, so find a setting that suits your eyesight and screen size.
Changing Display Scaling
If everything looks large even at the correct resolution, the display scaling might be set too high. Scaling increases the size of text, icons and interface elements without lowering the resolution.
In the Display settings window, look for Scale and layout. You will see a dropdown under Change the size of text, apps and other items. Try setting it to 100% if it is currently higher. You may need to sign out and back in to see the full effect.
This is especially useful on high-resolution screens where scaling might have been increased by default.
Zooming Out in Web Browsers and Applications
Sometimes, your screen looks fine in general but websites or documents appear too large. This is often caused by zoom settings in individual programs.
In most browsers and applications, you can press Ctrl and minus to zoom out. Press Ctrl and zero to return to the default view. You can also hold Ctrl and scroll down with your mouse wheel to decrease zoom gradually.
Some applications have their own zoom settings in the View or Preferences menu, so check those if the keyboard shortcuts do not help.
Resizing Windows and Managing Layout
If a single window is taking up the whole screen and you want to reduce its size, click the Restore Down button in the top-right corner of the window. You can then drag the edges or corners to resize it to your liking.
Windows 10 and 11 also offer Snap layouts which let you neatly arrange multiple windows. Drag a window to the side of the screen to snap it into place, then select another window to fill the remaining space. This helps you manage screen space more effectively, especially on larger displays.
Adjusting Screen Size on a Monitor
If you are using an external monitor and the image does not fit properly, you may also need to adjust the settings on the monitor itself. Use the buttons on the monitor to access the on-screen display and look for settings such as aspect ratio, overscan or auto adjust.
Sometimes, monitors apply scaling or zoom that differs from your PC settings, which can be corrected directly from the monitor menu.
Final Thoughts
Making your PC screen smaller can be done in several ways depending on what needs adjusting. You can change the screen resolution, reduce display scaling, zoom out in apps or resize windows manually. Whether you are working on a small laptop or a large monitor, these adjustments can help you achieve a clearer and more comfortable screen layout.