How to Use Windows Magnifier to Zoom In on Your Screen

When small text or icons are hard to read, Windows' built-in Magnifier can enlarge part of your screen instantly -- no extra software needed.

  1. Turn on Magnifier with Windows key + Plus (+)

    Press the shortcut and screen zoom turns on immediately.

  2. Adjust the zoom level with Windows key + Plus/Minus

    Press "+" again to zoom in further, or "-" to zoom back out.

  3. Choose a view mode: full screen, lens, or docked

    In Magnifier's settings window, choose whether to enlarge the whole screen, zoom in a small lens area around your cursor, or keep a fixed, enlarged strip pinned to part of the screen.

  4. Turn off Magnifier with Windows key + Esc

    Press the shortcut and zoom turns off instantly, returning you to the normal screen.

  5. Why it is worth using

    When small text or icons are hard to see, you can enlarge part of the screen comfortably using nothing but a built-in Windows feature -- no extra software required.

Three view modes for three different needs

Full-screen mode enlarges everything at once, lens mode zooms only the area right around your cursor like a magnifying glass, and docked mode keeps a fixed, enlarged strip visible while the rest of the screen stays normal -- pick whichever fits what you are doing.

It can start automatically when you sign in

If you rely on it every session, turning on the option to start Magnifier automatically after signing in saves you from pressing the shortcut every single time you turn on your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the mouse cursor get bigger too when I turn on Magnifier?

The cursor appears larger visually along with everything else on the enlarged screen, but if you want to actually increase the cursor's own size, you can adjust that separately under Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch.

Can Magnifier turn on automatically for a specific app?

Magnifier does not target specific apps, but turning on "Start Magnifier after sign-in" in its settings will launch it automatically every time you start your computer.