# Help me with this (probably)simple Windows automation task **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 28, 2014, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221 "2014-07-28T07:33:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221/1 "2014-07-28T07:33:13Z")
I have a game that runs only on one resolution, and it’s different from my standard resolution. So before starting the game, I have to manually change the resolution, and then change it back once I’m done. Yes this isn’t a large burden, but I’d rather find a way around it. What’s the easiest way to automate the process? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221/2 "2014-07-28T08:35:11Z")
What kind of game? What kind of Windows? If it’s a Steam game, you can set that sort of thing under the Launch Options menu, otherwise the [DisplayChanger](http://12noon.com/) utility is your friend. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221/3 "2014-07-28T09:16:41Z")
Ah sorry. Windows XP, but not a steam game. Stand alone. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221/4 "2014-07-28T09:22:17Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > What kind of game? What kind of Windows? > > If it’s a Steam game, you can set that sort of thing under the Launch Options menu, otherwise the [DisplayChanger](http://12noon.com/) utility is your friend. Thanks, that will probably do what I’m asking for once I figure out the proper command line. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221/5 "2014-07-28T14:27:52Z")
It seems like I was premature. That application doesn’t work on XP, so I’m still in the market for suggestions! ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221/6 "2014-07-28T15:11:20Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > I have a game that runs only on one resolution, and it’s different from my standard resolution. So before starting the game, I have to manually change the resolution, and then change it back once I’m done. If that resolution is 640x480 then there is an easy fix. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221/7 "2014-07-28T15:14:02Z")
Found [this](http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_quickres.htm), which I cannot vouch for. I thought there use to be a PowerToy that did this, but I can’t seem to find it. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221/8 "2014-07-28T15:19:47Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > It seems like I was premature. That application doesn’t work on XP, so I’m still in the market for suggestions! It looks like [Display Changer 4.3.2](http://12noon.com/?page_id=80) does run on XP. They even have a version that runs on Windows 98. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221/9 "2014-07-28T20:04:15Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > If that resolution is 640x480 then there is an easy fix. No it’s not, but in the interest of curiosity, what’s the fix? ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221/10 "2014-07-28T20:24:36Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > It looks like [Display Changer 4.3.2](http://12noon.com/?page_id=80) does run on XP. They even have a version that runs on Windows 98. Yup, that does it. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2014, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-this-probably-simple-windows-automation-task/694221/11 "2014-07-28T23:22:14Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > No it’s not, but in the interest of curiosity, what’s the fix? Properties-\>Compatibility-\>Display Settings-\>Run in 640 x 480 Screen Resolution