Windows applications resized incorrectly when moving between monitors with different resolutions and scaling

Question

I have a new laptop that has a 4K display. It's set at the recommended 250% zoom level. I also have 2 Full HD monitors plugged into it (1920x1080) each set at the recommended zoom level of 100%. The 4K display is in the middle with Full HD monitor on each side.

The issue I'm having is moving an application from the Full HD screen to the 4K display and vice versa. When using the Windows-Shift Right/Left keys to move between screens, the application usually gets resized incorrectly where it ends up being too small or too large (exceeding the screen) and I need to manually resize it. A similar problem happens if I drag an application from the 4K to the Full HD screen and vice versa. It's become a hassle to have to manually resize the applications after they are moved to a different display.

Does anyone have any tips on how to make the applications resize accurately when moving them to a different resolution/zoom level monitor? I'd consider a 3rd party application if Windows itself is unable to do it. I'm on Windows 10 Creators Update.

Examples

Below shows what happens when I move Chrome, the MS Calculator app and File Explorer from one screen to the next using the Windows-Shift Left/Right keyboard shortcuts.

Chrome

(Chrome didn't move over completely to the middle screen - it's on both screens)

Calculator App

(a little too small when moved to the 4K display, could be larger)

(now moving back to the Full HD screen, it's gigantic and off the screen)

File Explorer

(same as Chrome, moving to the 4K screen, it's on 2 screens)

(moving back to the Full HD screen, it's very small. If I continue to move back to the 4K screen and then back to the Full HD screen, it gets even smaller)

Solution 1

I had the same issue with -among other programs- Google Chrome. Really a hazzle. This was the solution for me: Right-click on the program shortcut. Click "Properties". Choose the tab: "Compatibility". Chose Edit compatibility for high dpi. Check Override high DPI scaling behavior. Choose Scaling performed by System.

Solution 2

I have a lame workaround - still seeking a solution. When you drag the window from the 4K resolution monitor to the HD monitor, it will automatically resize if the entire app fits the HD screen vertically. That means that if you shrink the height by 2.5x before dragging it, the app will resize to a readable resolution on the 4K monitor. The application window is now 2.5x too small, but fits the monitor, so it can be easily resized to a comfortable size. It a bit annoying, but with practice.... nah, let's face it - The only real solution is to upgrade your monitors.

Solution 3

I had the same issue. Now it's really simple to solve. My monitor (2) 24 inch has resolution 1920 x 1080 and my laptop (1) 17 inch has resolution 3840 x 2160. With a zoom factor of 250%.

Now reduce the resolution of your laptop to match your monitor.

Or even lower because my laptop has a smaller monitor.

Set the scaling to 100% (This makes the dialog change in size when moving from one to the other monitor.)

Comments

[magicandre1981]

Microsoft adds improvements to DPI scaling in 1703. is this your own (self coded) application or a 3rd party tool that causes the issues?

[Ben Amada]

I'm on version 1703. These are not my applications. Examples are Chrome, the MS Calculator app and even File Explorer. With File Explorer, the window can get really small when there is plenty of room and no need for it to shrink down. Then I'm stuck needing to manually enlarge it.

[Ben Amada]

I've added some screenshots showing what happens when trying to move the apps from screen to screen using the built-in Windows keyboard shortcuts... Windows-Shift Left/Right.

[spike_66]

You should try the settings explained in this page link

[Ben Amada]

Thanks @spike_66 that is quite useful. It doesn't address the specific issue I'm having of having the windows resize correctly when moving an application from one screen to the next (in particular with the Windows-Shift Right/Left keyboard shortcuts). I'm looking for an efficient and accurate way to do that. (that link does have some good tips on dealing with blurriness which was the first issue I had before coming onto this window resizing issue I'm asking about here)

[magicandre1981]

ask Google to update Chrome. application developers need to add the functionality. store apps like calculator are DPI compatible by default

[Ben Amada]

The DPI and quality seems to be okay on all the apps (Chrome, Calculator, File Explorer etc). To clarify the problem is when moving the apps from screen to screen in particular with the shortcut key Windows-Shift Left/Right, the application either doesn't move over completely to the next screen or it moves to the next screen but is resized poorly ... either too small or too large. See my screenshot examples of the Calculator app, it got super enlarged and the bottom half is off the screen.

[Ben Amada]

I've started trialling a 3rd party app, DisplayFusion, which is getting the job done. It has its own keyboard shortcuts to "Move Window to Next Monitor and Size Proportionally" which is correctly resizing the apps when I move them from the 4K Display to 1080p (Full HD) screens. Looks like there's at least one other 3rd party software that may do this too, but going to stick with DisplayFusion for now.

[patstew]

For me this has finally started working correctly with the 1809 Windows 10 update.

[Ben Amada]

Thanks @eldorel, I do have an NVidia graphics adapter but don't appear to have the DSR feature (I checked in Manage 3D Settings and updated my driver). I have an NVIDIA Quadro M1000M. Your solution sounds good though. So far I've gotten by with the DisplayFusion 3rd party software as noted in my comments above (the free version).

[JE_Muc]

This seems to be the only working solution