Posts tagged ‘windows properties’

Changing Menu Text Size

O.K., upfront disclaimer: This is not for experts. But I have been getting a lot of questions lately about how to change the text size for menus in Windows.

This is a way to increase the size of some of the text without changing the screen resolution, which is a way to increase the overall size of everything, including text. These are instructions for WindowsXP, but they should work in Windows Vista as well.

First, right click on a clear part of the computer’s desktop, to open the context menu. Click on the last option, “Properties.”

Right click Context Menu on the desktop

In the Display Properties window, click on the “Appearance” tab at the top.

Appearance tab in the Properties Window

In the Appearance section, click on the “Advanced” button at the bottom.

Advanced button on the Appearance tab section

Click on the downward pointing arrow to open the drop down menu:

Drop down menu button on the Advanced Windows page

Select the “Menu” option from the drop down menu that opens.

Menu option selected in the drop down menu

Change the Text size in the box next to the Font selection box.

Text Size box

Notice the preview pane at the top of the window, which will display the proposed changes. The Font can also be changed here, if desired, as well as the color and bold or italic embellishments. Other Windows appearances can be customized here as well (use the drop down “Item” menu).

Click the OK button at the bottom when you are satisfied with the changes. This will take you back to the Appearance tab of the Display Properties window. Click on the “Apply” button at the bottom of the window for the changes to take effect.

Apply button in the Display Properties window

When you are satisfied with the changes, click the OK button at the bottom of the Display Properties window to close it. Note that if you make any changes in the Appearances tab (such as changing the style), it will override the changes you made in the Advanced section.

(Note: this won’t change the menu text size in Firefox (version 2.0.0.11), but it will change the text for the tabs, toolbar labels, and the bookmark toolbar).