How to Use the Magnifier Tool on Windows 11

Like Windows 10, Windows 11 is packed with accessibility features that make it easy for you to work on your computer. One such feature is the Magnifier tool, which lets you zoom into any part of your screen, even if the app you’re using doesn’t have built-in magnification tools.

You can use this feature to read documents with small fonts, edit images, or make any part of your screen bigger, so it will be easy on your eyes. Find out below how you can use this tool on your Windows 11 device.

How to Open the Magnifier Tool on Windows 11

There are two ways you can launch the Magnifier tool on your Windows 11 device. Here are them:

Press Win + Plus to open the Magnifier tool. This will open a small dialogue box that will show you the different buttons you’ll need to use the tool.
You can also open the tool through the Settings app. Press Win + Ctrl + M keys to open Magnifier settings. Then, turn on the switch under Turn on Magnifier.

Tip: If you have poor vision, it’s a good idea to open the Magnifier automatically when you open your computer to minimize any additional steps you need to take to use it. Under the Magnifier Settings, check the boxes beside the Start magnifier before sign-in and Start magnifier after sign-in.

How to Use the Magnifier Reading Option on the Magnifier Tool

The magnifier tool doesn’t only make it easy for users to see things on their screen, but it can also read texts aloud. Follow the instructions below to use this option:

Open the Magnifier Tool on your Windows 11 device.
Once open, press the Play button to turn on on-screen reader support. Alternatively, you can press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Enter keys to use Magnifier Reading.
Once this option is turned on, you’ll see a blue box around the texts or section that the tool is reading. If you read the previous or next sentence, click the Previous or Next button. You can also press and hold Ctrl + Alt + H keys to move to the last sentence and Ctrl + Alt + K keys to go to the next one.
You can use the Tab key to navigate the screen and choose which part you want the Magnifier Reading to dictate. You will see a box around the sentence or the word where the indicator is currently located.
The Magnifier Reader option also allows you to choose where you want it to start reading. Press the icon with a cursor and speaker from the Magnifier dialogue box. Alternatively, you can press and hold Ctrl + Alt and left-click on the part you want the tool to read.

How to Customize Magnifier Zoom Level and Zoom Increment via Settings App

If you want to customize how much the Magnifier tool enlarges the screen when turned on, you need to change the zoom level setting. Here’s how:

Open the Magnifier settings by pressing Win + Ctrl + M.
Under the Change zoom level section, use the Plus and Minus buttons to adjust how much the Magnifier tool enlarges the screen when you open it.

To change how much the screens zoom in or out when your press the + and - buttons, follow the steps below:

Press Win + Ctrl + M to open the Magnifier settings.
Look for the Change zoom increments option, and choose your preferred number from the drop-down menu.

How to Change Magnifier Zoom Level and Zoom Increment Using the Registry Editor

For those who like a little challenge when customizing their Magnifier settings, you can use the registry editor to change the Magnifier zoom level. Follow the steps below:

Press Win + R to open Run. Then, type regedit and press Enter.
On the Registry Editor, copy this text HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\ScreenMagnifier and paste it on the address bar.
On the right-side panel, look for the strings Magnification and ZoomIncrement. The Magnification string allows you to adjust the zoom level setting, while the ZoomIncrement string represents how much the screen zooms in or out.
To adjust these settings, double-click on the string name you wish to change the setting, and the edit dialogue box will appear.
Under the Base section of the Edit window, choose Decimal to change the value data. Then, change the number under Value data depending on how you want the setting to be.

Important reminder: Make sure only to put values similar to 50,100, 200, or 400. If you use a different number, you might experience an error.

How to Change the Magnifier View

Here’s how you can change the Magnifier view to customize the tool to your need:

Go to the Magnifier settings by pressing Win + Ctrl + M.
Under the View section, press the drop-down menu from the Choose a view option and select which one suits you best.

You can also change the view by pressing the following keyboard shortcut when the magnifier tool is open:

Full screen view: Ctrl + Alt + F
Docked view: Ctrl + Alt + D
Lens view: Ctrl + Alt + L
Cycle between the views: Ctrl + Alt + M

Remember, this shortcut only works when the Magnifier tool is open. Otherwise, it will perform a different action.

How to Invert Colors Using Magnifier Tool

If you’re always in front of the computer screen, inverting the colors can help reduce some eye strain, making the text more readable. Basically, it turns all blacks into white and whites into blacks. Here’s how you turn on this option:

Open the Magnifier settings by pressing Win + Ctrl + M.
Look for the Invert colors option under the Appearance section, and switch the toggle on to enable it. You can always toggle off the option to revert to the original colors.
Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Alt + I while the magnifier is turned on to invert colors. Press the same shortcut to reverse it back to the normal colors.

Make Windows 11 Screen Easy On Your Eyes

WIth the Magnifier tool, you see words and images better on your Windows 11 screen. It can also help reduce eye strain, thanks to the inverted colors option of the tool. Apart from this tool, Windows 11 has much more accessibility features you can enjoy.