Use Remote Desktop with custom DPI

Question

How can I change (increase) the DPI of a remote desktop session?

I am using two Windows 7 PC - both are already set to 125% on Control Panel/Display/Make it easier to read.

Yet when I open a Remote Desktop from one machine to the other the remote desktop is displayed at 100% (tiny).

How can I have the Remote Desktop displayed at 125%?

Answer 1

From Microsoft's Knowledge-base article #2544872 - The DPI adjustment is not available in a Remote Session (RDP):

When regular users connect to a remote session, they are unable to change the resolution of the display or the DPI settings. The DPI settings would normally be used to make a global change to the size of the fonts and other user-interface elements; for example to increase the UI legibility.

This is about Server 2008 R2, but the same effect is what you're running into with Windows 7.

They suggest a workaround where you create a upscaled theme and then copy it to the client computer(s):

In order to provide a simple solution to users, it is recommended that an Administrator create several Themes with different sized fonts and UI elements, named in a discoverable way (e.g. "120dpi Theme", "150dpi Theme"). This will enable remote desktop users to easily select a Theme with scaled-up user interface elements, from a familiar place in Windows (i.e. Personalization applet; also accessible via a right-click on the desktop)

Full information and instructions are available in the MS KB; Perhaps they'll work for you. :)

More information on the situation, and another possible work-around, can be found here.

Answer 2

I know this is an old question, but I have found and elegant and easy solution to this issue.

Change Text Size is a small application written by Michel Stevelmans which will allow a user to change their DPI settings. I have tested it on Windows 7 and it has worked wonderfully.

Here is a link to the KBB article in regards to this issue: KB2544872