220-1102 Question 209
Single answerDisplaysA user reports that after docking a Windows 11 laptop at their desk, the desktop icons and taskbar appear extremely large on one external 27-inch 4K monitor, while a second 24-inch 1080p monitor looks normal. The 4K monitor is connected and functioning, but the user says the problem started after IT replaced the monitor with a higher-resolution model. Which action should the technician take FIRST to resolve the display issue without reducing image quality?
- A
Lower the 4K monitor's resolution to 1920x1080 so text and icons fit the screen better
- B
Change the scaling setting for only the 4K display in Windows Display settings
- C
Increase the refresh rate on the 4K monitor to 120 Hz
- D
Replace the video cable because oversized icons usually indicate signal degradation
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The best first step is to adjust the scaling setting for the affected 4K monitor only. In modern versions of Windows, high-resolution displays such as 4K panels often use scaling so text and interface elements remain readable. When a higher-DPI monitor is introduced, Windows may apply a scaling value such as 150% or 200%, which can make icons and the taskbar appear much larger than expected compared with a 1080p monitor. Best practice is to keep LCD displays at their native resolution and adjust scaling rather than lowering resolution, which degrades clarity. Microsoft documents per-display scale and resolution settings in Windows Display settings, and this is the standard troubleshooting approach for mixed-resolution or mixed-DPI multi-monitor environments.
- A. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Lowering a 4K monitor to 1920x1080 may make items appear differently sized, but it reduces image sharpness because LCD panels look best at their native resolution. In this scenario, the monitor is functioning and the issue began after moving to a higher-resolution display, which points to scaling rather than a resolution fault.
- B. Correct.
Correct. Windows commonly applies display scaling on a per-monitor basis, especially when a high-DPI 4K display is used alongside a lower-resolution monitor. Adjusting the scaling percentage for only the 4K display is the first and most appropriate step because it addresses oversized interface elements while preserving the monitor's native 4K resolution and image quality.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Refresh rate affects motion smoothness and, in some cases, flicker perception, but it does not cause desktop icons and the taskbar to appear oversized. A user might choose this option if they confuse general display settings with DPI scaling behavior.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A bad cable is more likely to cause no signal, intermittent display loss, artifacts, incorrect maximum resolution, or flickering. It does not typically cause Windows interface elements to scale larger on one otherwise functional monitor. This distractor reflects the misconception that any display abnormality is a cabling issue.