How to Use the Windows Magnifier

Zoom in on any part of the Windows screen to read small text or see images better — built in, no download needed.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Turn Magnifier on with a shortcut
2.Zoom in and out
3.Pick a magnifier mode
4.Turn on read-aloud
5.Turn Magnifier off

Turn Magnifier on with a shortcut

~15s

Hold the Windows key and press the plus key. The screen zooms in and a small Magnifier toolbar appears at the top.

Zoom in and out

~15s

Hold the Windows key and press plus to zoom in more, or minus to zoom out. The default starts at 200% and can go up to 1600%.

Pick a magnifier mode

~15s

On the Magnifier toolbar, click Views. "Full screen" zooms everything. "Lens" creates a moveable magnifying glass around your mouse. "Docked" puts the zoom in a strip at the top of the screen.

Turn on read-aloud

~15s

Click the Play button on the Magnifier toolbar to hear the words on the screen read out loud. Click Stop to pause.

Turn Magnifier off

~15s

Hold the Windows key and press Esc. The screen goes back to normal, and Magnifier closes. You can reopen it any time with Windows + plus.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Use the Windows Magnifier

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Magnifier is a free, built-in Windows tool that enlarges any part of the screen — great for small text on web pages, tiny menu buttons, or photos you want to see in detail. It works in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

You can set the magnification level, pick how it follows your mouse, and even have it read text aloud. Turn it on with a keyboard shortcut any time, and turn it off the same way.

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Magnifier

Windows

accessibility

zoom

vision