Windows Adjustments for Low Vision
Everyone’s vision is different. I set up Low Vision vision for myself at 20/100. The windows computers I ship can be adjusted to cover most acuities in the range of 20/80-20/200. Sometimes Windows updates will reset the settings. Below you can see the different settings and control panel. You can change these to best meet your needs or use my default setting as a starting place when an update makes things too small for your vision.
This is the Settings icon. It can be found in the task bar at the bottom of your screen or in your start menu.
Accessibility Menu, Find it in the settings menu.
Text Size This changes the size of the text in the whole Windows system. I use 150 as my default size. Change to meet your needs. Remember to Press the Apply button
DISPLAY on the same screen it has this as a related setting. Press it to open the Display settings for your Monitor.
SCALE & LAYOUT This affects both the text and graphics in the whole windows system. My default SCALE is 125%.
SCREEN RESOLUTION this affects both the text and graphics in the whole windows system. Depending on your monitor you my have different choices. My default resolution is 1600 x 900. You can try different values till you have one that works for you.
Return to the Accessibility Menu by pressing the Accessibility Menu button.
Visual Effects I set the always show scroll bar to ON
I set the Transparency effects to OFF
I set the Animation effects to Off
Changing these is optional, I need it as I have problems with low contrast.
Return to the Accessibility Menu by pressing the Accessibility Menu button.
Mouse Pointer I set my mouse pointer size to 6.
Return to the Accessibility Menu by pressing the Accessibility Menu button.
Text Cursor I set my text cursor to ON and size 3 and pick a color you like.
Text Cursor Thickness I set this is 5.
The next steps are also optional but I find them useful in helping me with my low contrast and clutter problem.
In the setting menu Click on the Personalization Menu
Background I set this to Solid Color and choose black.
Return to Personalization Menu and choose Colors, I then choose the Mode Dark. I also turn off Transparency effects. You can also choose an accent color at this time. If the Light Mode seems better for you, use that one.
A few desktop changes that help me.
Using a right mouse click anywhere on the windows desktop and choose view, then choose Large Icons.
Advanced
Changing Desktop Icon Spacing in Windows 11
You can adjust horizontal and vertical desktop icon spacing by editing specific registry values. Always back up your registry before making changes to avoid potential system issues. The lets you see the full name of any desktop Icon.
Method: Using Registry Editor
Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
In Registry Editor, paste HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics into the address bar and press Enter.
Double-click IconSpacing to change horizontal spacing. Enter a value between -480 and -2730 (default is -1125). I use -2500.
Double-click IconVerticalSpacing to change vertical spacing. Enter a value in the same range. I use -1400
Click OK after each change to save.
Sign out and back in, or restart your PC, to apply the changes.
You can contact me on ebay or by my email. lockwood@mywebpad.net
Tim Lockwood, MS
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Assistive Technology Specialist