ARCHIVED: In Windows, how do I restore my display settings if my display is illegible?

This content has been archived, and is no longer maintained by Indiana University. Information here may no longer be accurate, and links may no longer be available or reliable.

In Windows, if your display settings have been changed to make the display illegible, you can reset the display by rebooting in Safe Mode. To do so:

Windows 8

  1. While the computer is booting, when the Power On Self Test is complete (after the computer beeps the first time), hold down the Shift key and press the F8 key repeatedly.
  2. On the Recovery Mode screen, select See Advanced Repair Options.
  3. Choose the Troubleshoot option, and then Advanced Options.
  4. Select Windows Startup Settings and then hit Restart. Once the computer restarts, choose Safe Mode from the list of Advanced Options.
  5. Once in Safe Mode, right-click the desktop and choose Screen Resolution.
  6. Change the display settings back to the original configuration.
  7. Restart the computer.

Windows 7 and earlier:

  1. While your computer is booting, when the Power On Self Test is complete (after the computer beeps the first time), press and hold the F8 key.
  2. Select the option to boot in Safe Mode.
  3. Once in Safe Mode:
    • In Windows 7, right-click the desktop and choose Screen Resolution.
    • In Vista or XP, right-click the desktop, and then click Properties. Then choose the Settings tab.

  4. Change the display settings back to the original configuration.
  5. Restart the computer.

This is document agjg in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2018-01-18 12:21:09.