There are several ways to use a computer's "Zoom Out" feature. This article explains how to do this using the Windows operating system.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Using the Keyboard
Step 1. Select the page where you have to use the "Zoom out" function by clicking on the appropriate window
This method is the quickest and easiest to put into practice; for this reason, it is also the most suitable in most cases, especially for users who use laptop computers without a mouse.
Step 2. Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard
Step 3. Press the - button
It is located at the bottom of the keyboard between the "." and the right "Shift". Alternatively, you can hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the key to scroll the page down.
Method 2 of 6: Using the Mouse or Trackpad
Step 1. Select the page where you have to use the "Zoom out" function by clicking on the appropriate window
This method can be difficult to practice using a trackpad, as it is a more complicated pointing device to control than a mouse.
Step 2. Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard
Step 3. Scroll down the page using the mouse wheel or trackpad
Method 3 of 6: Using Google Chrome
Step 1. Locate the icon that gives access to the Chrome main menu
It is characterized by three parallel horizontal lines or by three vertically aligned dots (depending on the version in use) and is located in the upper right corner of the program window. Unless you moved it, it should be visible to the right of the address bar.
Step 2. Locate the "Zoom" option
It is located approximately in the middle of the appeared menu. The - and + buttons are visible next to the "Zoom" item and the current zoom percentage is displayed in the middle.
Step 3. Click the - button until the contents displayed in the Chrome window are the size you want
Method 4 of 6: Using Mozilla Firefox
Step 1. Click the button to access the Firefox menu
It is characterized by three parallel horizontal lines and is located in the upper right corner of the program window. Unless you've moved it, it should be visible to the right of the address bar.
Step 2. Locate the "Zoom" option
It is located above the "Edit" item and is accompanied by the - and + buttons.
Step 3. Click on the button - to use the "Zoom out" function
Method 5 of 6: Use Microsoft Edge
Step 1. Locate the icon to access the main menu
By default, it has three dots and is located in the upper right corner of the program window. Unless you moved it, it should be visible to the right of the address bar.
Step 2. Locate the zoom controls
Inside the menu, the "Zoom" item is listed together with the + and - buttons.
Step 3. Click the - button to use the "Zoom Out" function until the page content size reaches the desired size
Method 6 of 6: Change the Screen Resolution
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu
Press the ⊞ Win key located at the bottom left of the keyboard. By changing the screen resolution as shown below, the desktop and its contents will appear smaller, as if you had used the "Zoom out" function. All windows and icons will appear smaller and arranged over a larger screen area. If you are used to having a lot of icons on your desktop, this will make them look more organized and tidy.
Step 2. Launch the Settings app
Click on the "Settings" icon.
Step 3. Click the "System" icon, then the "Display" tab, then click the "Advanced Display Settings" link displayed at the bottom of the page
Step 4. Change the screen resolution
Click the down arrow icon of the "Resolution" drop-down menu. The higher the screen resolution, the larger the desktop size will be, consequently the contents will appear smaller, just as if you had used the "Zoom out" function. You will need to confirm your choice for the screen resolution changes to be saved and applied.
Advice
- Press the key combination Ctrl + 0 to reset the screen to the default zoom level.
- If you are having trouble using the "Zoom Out" feature, try restarting your computer. Doing so should automatically reset the screen to the default zoom level, without changing the current resolution.
- You can use the "Magnifier" app if you need to zoom in on a specific area of the screen. In older versions of Windows, access the "Start" menu, select the "Programs" item, click on the "Accessories" option, choose the "Accessibility" item and finally click on the "Magnifying glass" icon. Alternatively, you can search your computer using the keywords "magnifying glass".
