How Can I Make My Windows Applications Display Crisp Text on High-DPI Screens?

Achieving Crisp Text Rendering in High-DPI Windows Applications

High-resolution displays present a challenge for Windows applications: scaled interfaces often lead to blurry text. This is a consequence of Windows' bitmap-based DPI virtualization. To resolve this and ensure sharp text, applications must explicitly declare their ability to handle high DPI settings.

Enabling High-DPI Compatibility: The Manifest Approach

The solution involves modifying your application's manifest file. Adding the <dpiaware> element signals to Windows that your application supports high DPI. Here's the necessary manifest code:

<code class="language-xml"><?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<assembly manifestVersion="1.0" xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" xmlns:asmv3="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v3">
  <assemblyIdentity name="MyApplication.app" version="1.0.0.0" />
  <trustInfo xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v2">
    <security>
      <requestedPrivileges xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v3">
        <requestedExecutionLevel level="asInvoker" uiAccess="false" />
      </requestedPrivileges>
    </security>
  </trustInfo>
  <application>
    <windowsSettings xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/SMI/2005/WindowsSettings">
      <dpiAware>true</dpiAware>
    </windowsSettings>
  </application>
</assembly></code>

Alternative: Programmatic Approach (ClickOnce Deployments)

For ClickOnce deployments, you can use SetProcessDPIAware() within the Main() method:

<code class="language-csharp">[STAThread]
static void Main() {
    if (Environment.OSVersion.Version.Major >= 6) SetProcessDPIAware();
    Application.EnableVisualStyles();
    Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
    Application.Run(new Form1()); // Adjust as needed
}

[System.Runtime.InteropServices.DllImport("user32.dll")]
private static extern bool SetProcessDPIAware();</code>

Visual Studio 2015 Update 1 and Later:

Newer versions of Visual Studio (2015 Update 1 and later) simplify this. The manifest file is included in new projects; simply uncomment the <dpiaware> tag.

Summary:

By declaring your application DPI-aware (via the manifest or SetProcessDPIAware()), you bypass Windows' DPI virtualization limitations. This ensures sharp, scalable text rendering on high-DPI screens, greatly improving the user experience.

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