How to do a Powershell (or other) script to change screen resolution?

Question

How can I script a screen resolution change, for example to 1024*768?

Answer 1

There isn't a native powershell way to set the resolution. You could write in-line C# code in a powershell script to do it. Otherwise you would need to find a third party commandline application that does it and just call that from your script.

Answer 2

As EBGreen has said, Powershell cannot do it in its vanilla state. However being a .NET-based shell, you could either use .NET within a powershell script, use a traditional CLI application or write a Cmdlet to do it.

These links may help you out if you decide to explore those paths further:

• http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/UploadFile/Joshy%5Fgeo/changescreenresolution10102006112110AM/changescreenresolution.aspx
• http://ajdotnet.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/command-line-tool-vs-powershell-cmdlet/

Answer 3

See the freeware QRes :

Description: Command line utility to change screen resolution, color depth and refresh rate...

For the case of multiple monitors, you can see Display Changer (free for personal and educational use):

Display Changer changes the display resolution, runs a program, then restores the original settings. It can also change the resolution permanently and rearrange the monitors in a multiple-monitor setup. This is useful for games and home theater computers.

Answer 4

You can't do this using a native Windows command, but you can use an application invoked from the command line like http://www.pcdownloadworld.com/prgdb/reschange.htm .

I've used it before - it is a little cumbersome but does what it says on the tin.