A while back, I wrote a post that explained how to make Photoshop CS6 or below to honor the changed screen size elements on QHD displays. Since then, I have discovered a critical setting. This is to update the earlier post.
QHD Displays Hard to Read
On high-resolution laptops, and even some desktop displays, Photoshop CS6, and even some other applications become next to impossible to use because of the size of the interface elements. In Windows, there is a setting to change the size of interface elements which will work for most applications.
But those that do not get their cues from the OS, the size of the menus, and other interface elements remain small and unusable. The fix I offered with a link to Dan Antonielli’s blog works like a charm. However, for it to work you must not use the smallest setting on the interface. Look at the following image:
It allows you to change the size of all items on the Windows interface and you get to this screen by:
- Right-click on an empty spot on the desktop
- Select “Personalize”
- Click on “Display”
For Dan Antonielli’s wonderful fix to work, the slider must be in the middle or at the right edge of the slider. It makes everything on the screen larger which is what we are after. However, some applications, notably Photoshop CS6 and earlier do not honor the screen elements being resized, thus the fix.
At some point a week ago, I wanted to run the screen with all the elements at their smallest size on the above slider and noticed that the Antonelli hack stopped working. Then I realized if nothing is enlarged what could it do? I returned to this screen and changed the slider to the middle position, and it started working like magic, passing the enlarged screen items to Photoshop, and other applications that do not play nice.
So, if you think this fix is not working for your application, please ensure that you have changed the size of all items to at least the middle position.