Skip to main content
Adobe Photoshop Family
william_gye

15 Messages

 • 

714 Points

Thu, Jun 19, 2014 3:25 PM

Implemented

29

Photoshop: Menu too small on Windows high res display

On my monitor (2560 x 1600) the menu on CC 2014 is too small - so tiny I can hardly read it. Selecting Expereimental 2nd option makes the whole programme far too big. Either so small I can't see it unless I sit very close to the monitor or so big it is unusable.
No problems with PS CC, only PS CC 2014. Having to unistall CC 2014 and go back to CC. Support offer NO solution

Ideas

 • 

Updated 

8 months ago

2K

86

29

Responses

dmohr

Adobe Administrator

 • 

3.5K Messages

 • 

53K Points

7 years ago

Hi William,

Have you tried going to Preferences (under Edit on Windows and the Photoshop menu on Mac) then Interface. In this dialog, near the bottom of the screen, there is a control for UI Font Size. Set that to Large and reboot.

That should solve your problem.

Thanks,
David

15

0

martha_slobojan

1 Message

 • 

60 Points

It worked! Thanks, man!!

Like

6 years ago

0

abbas_zakeri

5 Messages

 • 

50 Points

Abbas Zakeri less than a minute ago
HI
If you have 2 photoshop in system you have this problem run old verstion and run photoshop cc2014 then close old phtopshop and clos photoshop 2014 and find photoshop.exe on location then right clik on icon select compatibility chek mark run whit win 7 and chek mark run 256 color then chek mar run 640 clik ok and open yor photoshops
mr.abbaszakeri@gmail,com

Like

6 years ago

0

rene_schmidt_6671095

68 Messages

 • 

822 Points

David, you know very well that the above-mentioned setting does NOT affect the menus, which is what people are complaining about here. While it DOES control other UI elements, the menus are still flyspeck or gigantor.

Like

6 years ago

0

garry_5457758

1 Message

 • 

120 Points

This fix works for me with all ADOBE Apps which open with tiny fonts in Hi Res screens - for Win 10 Creators Edition –
1. Right click on App > Properties > Compatibility Tab > Check "Override Hig SPI scaling behavior" > Select “System” from dropdown box.
2. Open App > Edit > Preferences > Interface Tab > Select Font Size “Automatic (default) > OK
Restart App and all will be well.

Like

3 years ago

gilfurst

1 Message

 • 

62 Points

Thank you for your solution, Gary! After many attempts to solve this issue, your solution has worked perfectly. This is awesome! 

Like

3 years ago

0

scott_lidstone

4 Messages

 • 

80 Points

It did address the tiny fonts in Hi Res screen issue but created a problem when using the tools. For example, the brush tool or the clone stamp create images larger than the edge of the boundary. Is there a fix for that?

Like

3 years ago

0

carol_salmanson

23 Messages

 • 

714 Points

It sure didn't work for me AT ALL. The File Info is completely illegible. It's a bunch of dots.

I'm using CC 2017.

Like

3 years ago

0

kids_team_spirit

1 Message

 • 

60 Points

Thanks Garry! That fix worked perfectly!! (Adobe CC 2018)

Like

3 years ago

0

carol_salmanson

23 Messages

 • 

714 Points

Yes, Windows 10 has now built this option in. It only worked for me once I figured out how to get to the Photoshop Properties dialog box, which isn't too obvious. It works for any application on the machine, BTW.

Here's how to do it:
-Right-click on application icon
-Then right-click on the icon you'll see (one of three options) and click on the third one, Properties.Go to the Compatibility tab

Like

3 years ago

0

green_eyed_bali_bule

1 Message

 • 

120 Points

The scaling Override high DPI selection worked for me....but choosing (Application) was not the correct setting. You must choose either (System) or (System Enhanced) for it to work. I can now use PS as it always has been without altering the UI Interface in PS. This tells me it’s a Windows issue to ‘improve’ our experience further.

Like

2 years ago

carol_salmanson

23 Messages

 • 

714 Points

Windows seems to have figured this out now (a year later then when I posted this.
But...get this... I tried switching back to Mac with an outrageously priced desktop, and the font scaling is non-existent. After a long time on the phone they told me that the Mac OS is "performing as expected," and that if I wanted to read the fonts I had to lower the resolution. This is Mac, known for graphics applications. Happily I had one more day to return it but I wasn't risking it. I packed it up, grabbed my coat, drove to the Apple store and got there 20 min before closing. Dell sucks, but at least I can get another brand.

Like

2 years ago

0

david_guerra_hiouf67mqpfyi

3 Messages

 • 

84 Points

SET TO LARGE ALREADY

Like

2 years ago

0

david_guerra_hiouf67mqpfyi

3 Messages

 • 

84 Points

Nope

Like

2 years ago

0

ron_coffen

1 Message

 • 

60 Points

Thank you so much, @Green Eyed Bali Bule, that is just what I needed.  Appreciate the solution.  Worked on my Windows 10, 64-bit machine running (gulp) Photoshop CS3 (I know, I know!  But it doesn't require a subscription!) on a 3840x2160 resolution monitor.  There was no way I could have seen the CS3 user interface without changing the high DPI settings to "System (Enhanced)."  Perfect now.

Like

2 years ago

0

jack_assk

2 Messages

 • 

74 Points

I'm so glad that I found this website and this post!! Thank you SO MUCH!! This solution completely fixed my problem.

Like

a year ago

0

william_gye

15 Messages

 • 

714 Points

7 years ago

Thanks for the reply. I tried that, unfortunately it doesn't make any difference to the main menu text size - still too small.

PS CC 2014 is unusable on my monitor (Dell 76cm), so I've gone back to PS CC - which is fine. I've used PS CS5, CS6 and CC on the same monitor without any issues. PS CC 2014 doesn't appear to be optimised for large monitors - seems to be a step backwards.

Shame, as I would have liked to have tried the new features (if I could read them in the menu !) in PS CC 2014.

Until Adobe fixes the flaw, I'll stick with the older version.

7

chris_cox_2148894

15.1K Messages

 • 

195.8K Points

Did you enable the 200% scaling for Windows in CC 2014 preferences?

It sounds like you just didn't turn on the feature you were looking for.

Like

7 years ago

0

william_gye

15 Messages

 • 

714 Points

Nothing works - plenty of complaints online about this flaw. Adobe need to fix it. PS CC 2014 is unusable on my monitor

Like

7 years ago

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

This comment is for chris cox. So you probably remember me from the other forum and my complains. As far as I remember you mentioned I need to upgrade to CC 2014 to solve my issues with high resolution displays. As I read more here, it is clear that your recommendation does not solve my problem. It seems that you dont even know your own software company that you are working for. Your title in this forum is "Sr. Computer Scientist" so maybe people expect a more smarter answer. Seriously? Are you recommending to go as high as 200% scaling to fix the small menu text problem? adobe products are not the only software people use on their PCs. You are saying make everything gigantic but dont worry about everything else. as long as our software looks fine then there wouldnt be any problems. You are missing the point and the fact that why people are using high resolution monitors. If they want to make everything too big, this would kill the whole purpose of using a high resolution monitor. They might as well go back to a 1920 by 1080 resolution. How about some smart answers that actually helps people who paid and purchased your company's software? REALLY

Like

6 years ago

0

david_williams_7749458

16 Messages

 • 

200 Points

See this post: http://neoshamon.blogspot.ca/2015/06/...

Like

5 years ago

david_guerra_hiouf67mqpfyi

3 Messages

 • 

84 Points

The post is in Arabic!

Like

2 years ago

0

adil_elamin

1 Message

 • 

60 Points

the solution from David Williams worked perfect with me

Like

8 months ago

0

gary_cumiskey

5 Messages

 • 

110 Points

It does works.  The only issue that remains is the brushes are no longer accurate... they sample and paste quite a bit beyond the selected brush size & hardness.

Like

8 months ago

0

william_gye

15 Messages

 • 

714 Points

7 years ago

Hi - I did, but it made it far too big - enormous in fact. I uninstalled CC 2014, used the cleaner and then downloaded and re-installed it - menus still too small.

On my laptop (38cm screen) - it is perfect.

Just to recap: I have tried:
1. 200% scaling - makes the whole programme huge - too big
2. Changed UI font size to large - no impact on top menu
3. Uninstalled CC 2014, used the cleaner and reinstalled - no change
4. Changed Windows display scaling settings to Larger (150%) - no impact on top menu
5. Sought assistance from Adobe support - who were unable to find a solution

PS CC 2014 doesn't appear to be suitable for large monitors - seems to fine with smaller monitors.

I'm running Windows 8.1 with a Dell 76cm monitor. Never had any issues with previous versions of Photoshop - only CC 2014.

1

0

david_williams_7749458

16 Messages

 • 

200 Points

See this post: http://neoshamon.blogspot.ca/2015/06/...

Like

5 years ago

0

bvffoon

3 Messages

 • 

100 Points

7 years ago

The same thing is happening to me. I recently updated to Photoshop CC 2014. Fonts looked just fine (a bit small, but fine) in Photoshop CC.

I sit close enough to the monitor.

Now, even after setting the interface font to large, it looks smaller than all the other programs I use. The ONLY program with this problem is Photoshop CC 2014.

Setting the UI to 200% looks ridiculously big.

My monitor is 30 inches (HP LP3065), resolution is 2560x1600.
Windows 7 Ultimate x64.
8 GB RAM
Nvidia GTX260

4

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

too bad there isnt anything higher than 200%. Otherwise adobe would recommend it.

Like

6 years ago

0

david_williams_7749458

16 Messages

 • 

200 Points

This works: http://neoshamon.blogspot.ca/2015/06/...

Like

5 years ago

karen_davidson_7383712

3 Messages

 • 

82 Points

This has been going on for several years.  Seems to me that if Adobe wants to charge a monthly membership fee, they should fix this yesterday.  No reason it can't be fixed.  Everything is fixable if it's a high enough priority.  Please, Photoshop, FIX this problem.  Otherwise, will we be getting a discount because we can't use your software?

Like

2 years ago

0

JeffreyTranberry

Adobe Administrator

 • 

15.8K Messages

 • 

295K Points

Hi Karen, You’re posting on a thread that covers old versions. Current versions scale all the way up to 400%: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/...

Sr. Product Manager, Adobe Digital Imaging

Like

2 years ago

0

john_and_jaki_brown

1 Message

 • 

100 Points

7 years ago

Hi there Guys,

I use Photoshop everyday (including Sundays). I have just updated to Photoshop 2014 and I just can't read the menus. This is not good. We should not have to look around for any work-a-rounds. I am very unhappy with Adobe. I thought that in the US you have "Section 508" See Subpart B - this includes the following

Subpart B discusses the technical conformance criteria for:

Software
Web
Telecommunications
Video & Multimedia
Self Contained, Closed Products
Desktop and Portable Computers

This needs to be fixed and fast, non of the other parts of the Adobe 2014 do this, so why photoshop? AND while we are at it, my screen to set to 1360x738 and with the UI set to large I still can't read it.

I just hope this dose not damage my eyesight in any way, because if it does I am going to hold Adobe responsible!

John Brown

2

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

I am sorry to hear that, John and Jaki. Adobe's solution is to go to 200% UI upscaling. The draw back is that everything will be super gigantic which by the way kills the main purpose of having a big screen.

But dont you worry, you can fix this by adjusting your distance from the screen and sitting back at least 5 feet from the display.

Like

6 years ago

0

david_williams_7749458

16 Messages

 • 

200 Points

See this post. It takes a little savvy, but works: http://neoshamon.blogspot.ca/2015/06/...

Like

5 years ago

william_gye

15 Messages

 • 

714 Points

7 years ago

Since PS CC 2014 is unreadable (therefore unusable) and presumably there will be no more updates for PS CC, do I therefore get a discount on my PS CC subscription? Should do.

2

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

I would. They sell you a software that is not working based on what you expect.

Like

6 years ago

0

david_williams_7749458

16 Messages

 • 

200 Points

http://neoshamon.blogspot.ca/2015/06/...

Like

5 years ago

linda_mccarty

12 Messages

 • 

304 Points

7 years ago

I too tried everything and cannot read PS CC 2014 menus & dialog boxes. 200% is way too big. Will have to go back to CS6 till this issue is resolved.

2

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

I am sorry to hear that Linda. I think adobe's solution to this would be to ask all their customers to sit back at least 4 feet away from the screen. That way everything would look normal.

Like

6 years ago

0

david_williams_7749458

16 Messages

 • 

200 Points

See: http://neoshamon.blogspot.ca/2015/06/...

Like

5 years ago

william_gye

15 Messages

 • 

714 Points

7 years ago

Hope they do fix this flaw - I've given up on PS CC 2014. Hopeless to try and use it.

1

david_williams_7749458

16 Messages

 • 

200 Points

See: http://neoshamon.blogspot.ca/2015/06/...

Like

5 years ago

phil_graham_6644759

3 Messages

 • 

128 Points

7 years ago

Chris, David,

Can you provide some additional detail on what elements/groups are effected in PS CC and PS 2014 on Windows 7/8.1 ?

- E.F. 200% feature ?
- UI sizing tiny, small, medium and Large ?
- When changing size of text in Windows display settings -100%, 125, 150, 200 ?

- Maybe a screen capture ? (size and resolution of monitor used)

Also could you provide some information on the size and resolution of the monitors used for testing PS 2014. Based on your responses, looks like you are not seeing the same issues ???

Most of the threads are unanswered, if you can reproduce the issues, please let us know.

Just notice another topic same issues - http://gsfn.us/t/2edtq

Thanks

Phil Graham

5

0

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

Phil good luck getting an answer from these guys.

I seriously cant tell what they are getting paid for? I am guessing not answering customers problems. Good job you two. Chris and Jeffrey

Like

6 years ago

diane_lewis_6556473

43 Messages

 • 

664 Points

If you have time you can go back 3 years and see how very old this issue is.

Like

6 years ago

0

chris_cox_2148894

15.1K Messages

 • 

195.8K Points

The older requests were for people with vision problems, not about newer high res displays. And we could not ship a solution for UI scaling until Microsoft worked with us to address the scaling problems in the Windows APIs. We had been working with Microsoft on the issues for quite some time.

Like

6 years ago

0

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

Chris, accusing people of having vision problems on this forum is a sort of profanity. I think you should voluntarily remove your own comment.

Just saying since you are so quick on the delete button

Like

6 years ago

0

david_williams_7749458

16 Messages

 • 

200 Points

See this: http://neoshamon.blogspot.ca/2015/06/...

Like

5 years ago

0

william_gye

15 Messages

 • 

714 Points

6 years ago

Sadly, still not fixed with the latest update. Still using PS CC - at least I can actually see the menus.
PS CC 2014 is useless on my monitor - appears Adobe isn't going to fix it any time soon. Shame.

3

0

chris_cox_2148894

15.1K Messages

 • 

195.8K Points

Have you enabled the 200% UI scaling in preferences?

Like

6 years ago

0

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

do you know if windows offers anything over 200%? Maybe 400% might work better

nice solution Chris

Like

6 years ago

0

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

Chris I'll have to say all these users here spend a lot of their presious time to write their frustration on this forum and the only reply that I see from you who happens to be a Sr. Computer Scientists at adobe, is about two lines and nothing more than "enable the 200% UI scaling"

I think you spend a lot of time answering people's questions, I recommend just copy and paste your two lines of answer to save some time for yourself.

Not mentioning that they actually paid a high price for a useless software from adobe so I think it would be more professional if you address them more properly.

Really? 200% scaling

Like

6 years ago

0

lucy_nogales_6713915

22 Messages

 • 

314 Points

6 years ago

What a terrible problem. Last time when this happened, they made it seem like it was going to be fixed. But then they didn't.

Now I'm stuck with a CS6 that I cannot see on my new laptop because the old one broke. Everyone says to upgrade to CC, but even if I were to do that, there would be the same problem!

5

0

chris_cox_2148894

15.1K Messages

 • 

195.8K Points

No, because Photoshop CC 2014 contains a solution for the UI scaling issue on Windows.

Like

6 years ago

0

lucy_nogales_6713915

22 Messages

 • 

314 Points

It sounds to me like it doesn't help, from what misterjacket says. So even if I took the financial plunge (Which my employer won't do) I"d still be up a creek without being able to see my menus.

Like

6 years ago

0

chris_cox_2148894

15.1K Messages

 • 

195.8K Points

It does help for high res displays on Windows.

Like

6 years ago

0

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

Lucy they say upgrade to CC 2014 but even when you do that, it doesnt fix your problem. They recommend that you use a 200% scaling. Thats would be fine if you want to fix photoshop a little but if you dont mind to deal with giant everything else.

Chris is an expert on this. He can explain it better

Like

6 years ago

0

david_williams_7749458

16 Messages

 • 

200 Points

See this; it works:http://neoshamon.blogspot.ca/2015/06/...

Like

5 years ago

0

bvffoon

3 Messages

 • 

100 Points

6 years ago

Chris Cox "Sr Computer Scientist":

A solution that only turns the problem into the exact opposite. The 200% scaling thing makes the UI look ridiculously gigantic, even in 2560x1600 resolutions.

This is already stated in the main thread post and in many replies.

I suggest you read before commenting.

0

0

judy_morris_6725705

4 Messages

 • 

92 Points

6 years ago

Just got a new laptop with high resolution and I am having the same problem with PS CS5. All others components of Creative Suite look fine; it is only PS that is has the tiny menu text and stuff. I am shocked to see how long this problem has been going on!

13

0

chris_cox_2148894

15.1K Messages

 • 

195.8K Points

It's been going on between the time that high resolution displays appeared on Windows, and when Microsoft fixed the OS APIs to support UI scaling or provided ways to work around the OS bugs. And many other applications are still having problems.

Again, this has already been addressed in Photoshop CC 2014.

Like

6 years ago

0

judy_morris_6725705

4 Messages

 • 

92 Points

I do NOT want to be on CC... I need access to PS offline (work in rural areas sometimes). Besides... other CC users seem to have the problem too. Will just have to find another software to use (not Adobe since they don't seem to care to fix this issue).

Like

6 years ago

0

chris_cox_2148894

15.1K Messages

 • 

195.8K Points

You can still use Photoshop offline even with CC. That hasn't changed.

Again, the high res display issues was already addressed in Photoshop CC 2014.

Like

6 years ago

0

william_gye

15 Messages

 • 

714 Points

No it hasn't - on my monitor the menu is either too small to see - or if you use the 200% feature too gigantic. Not a problem in PS CC, ONLY in PS CC 2014.

Like

6 years ago

0

judy_morris_6725705

4 Messages

 • 

92 Points

I downloaded the trial version of PS CC 2014 and the "tiny" problem still exists. Regardless, folks that paid big bucks for adobe products and don't want to pay big bucks to upgrade should not have to deal with this issue. Saying something is addressed in a software that a person has to buy is not an acceptable answer.

Like

6 years ago

0

chris_cox_2148894

15.1K Messages

 • 

195.8K Points

I'm sorry, but new features are only going to go into the latest version of the software.
And Photoshop CC 2014 does have the 200% UI Scaling feature. And we are continuing to work with Microsoft on more general scaling and remaining issues in the Windows UI Scaling APIs.

Like

6 years ago

0

william_gye

15 Messages

 • 

714 Points

Thanks for the reply. Are you able to advise why the issue (on my monitor at least) didn't exist in PS CC but does in PS CC 2014? Both running on the same PC, same monitor at the same time? Seems perplexing.

Like

6 years ago

0

chris_cox_2148894

15.1K Messages

 • 

195.8K Points

The UI scaling feature does not exist in any Windows Photoshop version prior to CC 2014. Thus all older versions of Photoshop will not scale correctly on high res Windows displays.

Like

6 years ago

0

judy_morris_6725705

4 Messages

 • 

92 Points

I've sent an email to Mr. Narayen to see if he can help with folks that don't want to upgrade to CC2014 (I tested the trial version and the 200% scaling is way too big and then I can't see all the drop-down menus items). Hopefully Mr. Narayen can get it fixed.

Like

6 years ago

0

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

Judy they are not going to fix it due to their hight customer satisfaction rating. They dont really care. as long as you paid them for the software then they you are on your own

Right Chris? I think you agree with me on this one

Like

6 years ago

0

diane_lewis_6556473

43 Messages

 • 

664 Points

How in the heck can the size of your font being readable be a new feature. Please, your customers are not that stupid. We don't want to scale it we just want to read it.

Like

6 years ago

0

roland_xp

77 Messages

 • 

768 Points

200% UI scaling. Right. And make everything else gigantic. lol nice answer chris. You should get a raise

Like

6 years ago

0

david_williams_7749458

16 Messages

 • 

200 Points

See:http://neoshamon.blogspot.ca/2015/06/...

Like

5 years ago

0

bvffoon

3 Messages

 • 

100 Points

6 years ago

Hey, Chris Cox. Do you not get it? Are you a parrot? The fix you endlessly keep referring to does not solve the problem for many users.

0

diane_lewis_6556473

43 Messages

 • 

664 Points

6 years ago

I had to like this before it was deleted.

0

0

Helpful Widget

Tags

No tags available