Photoshop Interface is too small for my screen size [2017]

[anja_wu]

Hi

I have a Photoshop CS6 edition and just started it for the first time. Sadly I can hardly see any of the elements of the user interface. The Menu bar, the Panels - everything is way too small. I have a Laptop with a high resolution screen, so probably the size of the user interface is meant to be used on a larger screen. I did change Windows 10 settings to scale up all the elements of other software I use - so all Icons and user interface elements of other software does indeed scale up, but Photoshop does not react to any changes there. Also I tried to increase the setting in the Photoshop settings (preferences/user interface/font size), but it is already set to "large" and there is no numeric value or additional options I could find. Here is a picture to compare the size of a regular window I use and the Photoshop Window - the font size seems to be about half and the elements are really hard to click.
Thanks for helping.

[davescm]

If you are using Photoshop CC then just update to the latest version and the scaling will be sorted by Photoshop based on your system settings. No need for any workarounds

Dave

[williamp37355817]

David. Some of us don’t use it often enough or professionally to want to pay a freakin subscription and it works just fine with the work around with what we already paid for.

Sent from my iPhone

[davescm]

William -my comment was in response to Ramona1727 who asked "Does this work with CC?"

Dave

[williamp37355817]

If it does not work on the shortcut, then definitely try it on the actual EXE file. It worked for me with out having to use it on the shortcut. I just reposted the original instructions. I am on Windows 10 just as an FYI.

Sent from my iPhone

[asma_3697]

This worked for me. Thank you so much!

[realistic_practice1587]

http://hackymchackerson.blogspot.com/2018/06/adobe-photoshop-cs6-how-to-increase.html I just did it and it works

[iamgregor]

This was a great solution though it didn't work for me (2021), but it turns out it's actually very easy in the new Windows: https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop/photoshop-interface-is-too-small-for-my-screen-size/m-p/120...

[jamesrussell2015]

are you saying that the older version will not work on the newer computer screens?

[iamgregor]

Ignore him. He's wrong: https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop/photoshop-interface-is-too-small-for-my-screen-size/m-p/120...

[sw65652670]

I have had the same problem with an even older version of Photoshop (CS4) on a higher resolution laptop monitor. (3840 X 2160). 

To get the interface to be normal-sized, change screen reslution settings to something less than maximum (e.g., 1920 X 1280), open Photoshop and see if the UI is sized at a usable level.  If it is, change screen resolution back to high settings and, in my experience, the UI remains at the usable size.

[iamgregor]

Easier solution. Replying to most people since the official answer is incorrect.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop/photoshop-interface-is-too-small-for-my-screen-size/m-p/120...

[Tashka]

I found a way to fix my DPI scalng of old Adobe apps on Win11 (maybe Win10 too)

I find the problem is primarily with earlier Adobe apps like CS6 on current OS's.

Later versions like current PS 20xx scale correctly on high res monitors.

My 27" monitor has a native resolution of 3840 x 2160.  

I suspect this works in Win10 but does, for sure, in Win11.

Steps ....

Find each app's EXE in Windows Explorer (not its shortcut).

To make that easier, Rt-Click on a shortcut like on  Taskbar.

Choose [Open File Location]

That often leads to another shortcut so repeat [Open File Location]

Once you fnd the true EXE, Rt-Click and choose [Properties]

Then select the [Compatibility] tab

Near bottom, choose [High DPI Settings]

On that panel check [X] Use this setting to fix scaling problems

At bottom of same panel also check [X] Override high DPI settings

That enables the dropdown [App/System/System Enhanced] under it.

Select [System] as the executor of the action

I find [System Enhanced] scales the fonts unevenly.

Feel free to try it.

Close [Properties].  

Open App.  Voila - should be nicely readable.

I cannot speak to Win7 or Win8.  They are long gone.

Hope that helps - Dr. Tom

[utkxyuta]

Thanks a lot buddy.

[Cotomono]

Tashka

Many thanks. You saved my soul,

[Martyn28812452xxwr]

Hi, 

Rather late but I was having the same problems. There is an easy fix. 

1. Right click the destop icon for Photoshop CS6

2. Go to Properties

3. Go to the Compatability tab

4. Go to Change high DPI settings

5. Go to High DPI scale override and tick the box 

6. Open pop out box below that and choose System (Enhanced)

7. Click OK then Apply and OK

8. Open Photoshop

This setting will not alter the Desktop and only applies to Photoshop when it is open.

We are all getting older and at 75 I don't want to be tied to a rolling payment to Adobe. I use a Benq 3840x2160 monitor.

[D Fosse]

I use a Benq 3840x2160 monitor.

By @Martyn28812452xxwr

Just so you know, what you did turns it into a 1920 x 1080 standarad HD monitor. One image pixel is now represented by four screen pixels. So that's a lot of wasted money.

What you need for a 4K monitor is to scale up the UI, but not the image. The image needs to be displayed at full screen resolution. This became possible with Photoshop CC 2014 and onwards. There is no way you can get Photoshop CS6 to do that.

[Trevor.Dennis]

The difference between Photoshop CS6 and current versions of Photoshop is way beyond vast, so thankfully not many people are still using these pre-CC versions.  If you _are_ still using CS6, and have a 4K screen, then you should be aware that there several alternatives that are not only much more powerful than Photoshop was 10 years ago, but that some of them are completely free.

[charlesk6399897]

thanks, Martyn28812452xxwr. your steps worked perfectly.

[Blacknest]

I know this is a really old post, but if anyone else is having this problem and doesn't want to upgrade, here is a fix that worked for me: (taken from an old Windows8 forum)

"Navigate to where the actual application file (.exe) is, right-click it and select properties, choose the compatibility tab and select "Change high dpi settings" under the settings section, in the next window, select the checkbox that says "High DPI scaling override", and choose "System" from the drop-down. Hit ok to save the changes, and then re-open Photoshop.

I saw this answer on another website. I applied these changes to the shortcut for Photoshop that I have on my Desktop, I selected "System (Enhanced)" from the drop-down menu and it worked perfectly. Now I do not need to squint or use the magnifier or memorize location for using a menu or a tool"

[Blacknest]

Please ignore my previous post. As others have commented, it's simply throwing away screen resolution.

[D Fosse]

Actually, what you have done is turn your expensive 4K display into an ordinary HD display. Each image pixel is now represented by four physical screen pixels.

True support for high resolution displays, introduced in CC 2014, means scaling the UI but not the image. The Photoshop image needs to be rendered at full screen resolution to take advantage of these displays.

EDIT - right. you got it. I wrote that before your second post. I'll still leave it for anyone else reading - 🙂

[kapil36030821eicn]

I found a way out. Below Solution is Windows 10, NVidia Graphic Card

1. Right Click Photoshop.exe

2. Click on Properties

3. Click  on Compatibility

4. Click on "Change High DPI settings"

5. Enable Check box  under Program DPI - Use this setting to fix scaling problems

6. Next under "Use the DPI thats set for my main display" - I open this program

7. Enable check box  Override  high DPI scaling behaviour

8.Select System enhanced

Photo attached.