Phenquestions
This is a common issue many Windows users report - 'Every time I start up or log out of my Windows computer, it automatically switches the screen resolution to a different from the default one'. The problem may occur if you have enabled Advanced Performance in the Device Manager, and now even after disabling it, the problem may persist. If this problem is by any installed software, the software should be removed to see if it helps resolve the issue.
In Windows 10/8, you typically set the screen resolution via the Control Panel, as shown below in this image.
Screen Resolution changes on its own automatically
In Windows 7, you were forced to reboot to apply all the changes to the display screen resolution. In Windows 10/8.1/8, you are not forced to reboot your Windows PC. But if you don't, the display changes may not be applied to all items on the screen, like for instance the Start Screen. So if you are facing issues after changing the screen resolution, reboot your Windows computer and see if it makes the problem go away.
If you find that your screen resolution keeps changing automatically on its own, after sleep or after reboot, here are a few suggestions you can try:
1] Check Graphics Drivers
Ensure that your Drivers are up-to-date. Specifically, update your Graphics Card drivers. If need be, uninstall them and fresh-install their latest downloaded version. Just because you've upgraded your operating system to Windows 10/8/7 doesn't necessarily mean that you have the most up-to-date drivers on your computer. To ensure you have the most up-to-date driver, check the driver version number and compare that with information on the developer's Web site.
2] Disable screensaver
Disable the screensaver and see if it helps.
3] Uncheck BaseVideo setting
Run msconfig. Then, on the Boot Tab, ensure that the BaseVideo option is un-checked. Restart.
4] Check Power Settings
Try changing the Power Settings, to allow for Sleep Mode, when sharing media. Then from an administrative command prompt, execute the following command:
powercfg -h on
5] Run Display Quality Troubleshooter
Try the Windows Display Quality Troubleshooter.
Hope something helps.
NOTE: MichaelAtOz posts on Answers the following. Thanks for the link bevhoward:
Using Sysinternals ProcessMonitor I found that Windows was accessing the following Registry path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers\Configuration
My system had three entries:
DELF003YY7707BR0MUL_30_07D7_6A^9A3774EB79DEE3E3E38496CC7DF4D936
QHD32000001_31_07D6_D5^63E1ABDD175E7871DCAEB710418A0F75
SIMULATED_8086_2A42_00000000_00020000_1010100^CDE365D1B3F0942F0CF38BFB8E127AB4
Under each is a tree called “00” two of the keys are:
- PrimSurfSize.cx
- PrimSurfSize.cy
Under “00” was another branch also called “00” two of the keys are:
- ActiveSize.cx
- ActiveSize.cy
The first two of the configs (ie DELF003YY7707BR0MUL & QHD32000001) the above keys were 1440×900 - so they were not involved.
The third (SIMULATED) was set to 1024×768.
I changed these to 1600×900 and the problem was solved.
Further, I changed the resolution (via Control Panel) to 1920×1080. The moving/resize issue returned, but the lower right corner was set to 1600×900, ie the SIMULATED… settings.
Hope this helps someone out there.
These links may also interest you:
- Adjust your Monitor for better screen resolution
- Set different screen resolution for each user account.
