-
Step 1
Minimize all the open windows on your desktop. Click the right mouse button on any vacant part of your desktop. Select the "Properties" choice on the drop down menu that appears. This gives you access to all the options that control appearance, resolution, color depth and themes used by your system.
-
Step 2
View the tabs across the top of this window and select the "Settings" tab. On this tab, you have the ability to select the screen resolution and color depth. You can access "Advanced" features from this tab, which include the graphics card, the monitor model and driver.
-
Step 3
Find the slide bar in the lower half of the window on the left-hand side. By clicking on the bar, you can change the resolution of your screen up or down from its current setting. On the lower right hand part of the window is a drop down menu to set the color depth of your screen.
-
Step 4
Select the resolution you want to have your monitor display. Be aware that not all monitors or graphics cards can display all resolution and color depth combinations. You should refer to your data sheets for your particular monitor and particular graphics card.
-
Step 5
Choose the color depth for the resolution that you chose in Step 4. Click "OK" and Windows will change the display to the settings you selected. A confirmation message will appear that asks if you want to keep these settings. If so, click "Yes." If not, then click "No." If your hardware is not compatible with the settings that you chose, the display will go blank for the length of the test period and then return to the original settings. Just don't hit any key when the screen blanks and it will return to the original resolution and color depth, at which point you can try another combination.
-
Step 6
Click the "Apply" button when you are happy with the resolution and color depth settings and then click "OK."
