Adjust the Screen Resolution Setting in Windows XP

Navigate to the Control Panel in Microsoft Windows by left-clicking on Start, followed by Settings and then choosing Control Panel.

In the Control Panel window, open Display.

Note: In Microsoft Windows XP, depending on how your operating system is setup, you may not see the Display icon. To correct this, click on the link on the left-hand side of the Control Panel window that says Switch to Classic View.

In the Display Properties window, click on the Settings tab.

Locate the Screen resolution slider on the left-hand side of the window. Under most circumstances, the best choice is 800 by 600 pixels or 1024 by 768 pixels, possibly higher if you're using a 19" or larger monitor. The "best" setting is highly subjective to your personal preferences.

Note: Some types of software require the screen resolution settings to be set at a specific size. If you receive errors when opening certain software titles be sure to make any changes here as necessary.

Click the OK or Apply button to confirm the changes. If prompted, follow any additional on screen directions.