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LetaF's avatar
LetaF
Copper Contributor
Jun 20, 2025

Process Explorer DPI scaling problem on 4K display with 200% scale (Windows 11 Build 26120)

I'm running Process Explorer (procexp64.exe) on Windows 11 Pro Build 26120 with a 4K monitor scaled to 200% (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB card). Regardless of system scaling settings or compatibility adjustments, the UI of Process Explorer reverts to a "need strong reading glasses" size after launch. It seems to not be honoring my 200% scaling.

Here’s what I’ve tested:

  • Enabled “Override high DPI scaling behavior” and set it to “System (Enhanced)”
  • Enabled “Program DPI” with “I open this program” option
  • Created a custom external manifest (PerMonitorV2) in the same folder as procexp64.exe
  • Tried toggling between PerMonitorV2 and Application in the manifest
  • I did not enable the global PreferExternalManifest registry setting for safety reasons

Process Explorer momentarily honors scaling overrides or manifest settings at launch, but once initialized, it redraws its main window at a smaller, unreadable scale. Dialogs and property windows also do not respect the intended DPI awareness. 

If I move the window to my second 1k monitor and change that display from 100% to 175% it looks good.

It would be helpful if future builds of Process Explorer could maintain DPI consistency on high-resolution displays, or at least expose a command-line or UI flag to force a specific scaling mode. I'm currently agonizing with this issue over ArcGIS Pro's UI on my monitor. 

Co-Pilot helped me try to sort this issue, and also helped me write this report. 

2 Replies

  • WengTi's avatar
    WengTi
    Iron Contributor

    Try running Process Explorer in compatibility mode for Windows 10. Right-click the executable and choose "Properties," then "Compatibility," and select "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and pick Windows 10. This might trick the application into a different DPI handling mode.

  • UriahRedwood's avatar
    UriahRedwood
    Iron Contributor

    Your idea of exposing command-line or UI flags for DPI scaling in Process Explorer is excellent and could be valuable for many users facing high-DPI issues.

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