# Switching Windows screen resolutions on the fly

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-windows-screen-resolutions-on-the-fly/205902>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 6, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-windows-screen-resolutions-on-the-fly/205902 "2003-10-06T18:22:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Running\_with\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-windows-screen-resolutions-on-the-fly/205902/1 "2003-10-06T18:22:13Z")

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Running Win XP home, I frequently switch to a high resolution (1600x1200) when working with large spreadsheets, or when using MS Streets, although I normally run at 1280x1024. I’m trying to find out if there’s a way I can set up icons on my desktop to switch resolution just by double clicking, rather than having to navigate through the desktop settings dialog.

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**Author:** ![Hauky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/0ea827/32.png) [@Hauky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hauky)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-windows-screen-resolutions-on-the-fly/205902/2 "2003-10-06T18:44:10Z")

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There are a bunch of different programs that run in the system tray and allow you to pick from different resolutions from a menu. One often comes on video card installation CDs (or downloadable from the website), so check there. I’m not aware of a way to do it with a simple shortcut.

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**Author:** ![KP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a9adbd/32.png) [@KP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KP)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-windows-screen-resolutions-on-the-fly/205902/3 "2003-10-06T19:01:18Z")

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There are a number of tweaking packages (and registry changes, if you’re strong of heart and pure of spirit) that will let you do this. I personally avoid XP, so I can’t be more specific, but Googling for UI tweaks, and sites like [annoyances.org](http://annoyances.org) should give you an answer pretty quickly.

This site may help:  
[http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm](http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm)  
I can’t vouch for them, but I did get a working XP tweak for a friend last night (which is why I had the URL handy)