How to Make Text Bigger Without Breaking Everything

The quick answer

In Windows 11, go to Settings → Accessibility → Text size to enlarge text, or Settings → System → Display → Scale to make text, icons, windows, and apps bigger together.

Start with text only

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Choose Accessibility → Text size.
3. Move the slider until the sample text is comfortable.
4. Choose Apply and look at a few real applications before adjusting further.

This is a good option when menu labels and text are hard to read but buttons and windows are already about the right size.

When everything is too small

Open Settings → System → Display. Under Scale & layout, choose a recommended larger Scale percentage. If you have two monitors, select each one first because they can use different scaling. Some older programs may require you to sign out and back in before displaying correctly.

Don't lower resolution as your first fix

Using a lower-than-native display resolution can make text look larger but blurrier. Keep the monitor's recommended resolution whenever practical, then use scaling to adjust size. This usually preserves sharper text and a more predictable layout.

Use zoom for just one app

In browsers, Ctrl + Plus and Ctrl + Minus usually adjust webpage zoom; Ctrl + 0 resets it. Press Windows + Plus to open Magnifier if you need temporary enlargement, and Windows + Esc to exit it.

Avoid extreme custom scaling

Unusual custom percentages may make some older software misbehave or place controls offscreen. Start with Windows' offered scaling choices. If something becomes hard to navigate, return to Display settings and choose the previous value.

Reference: Microsoft: Change the size of text in Windows.