How to add Shutdown desktop shortcut in Windows 11
If you're looking for a quicker method, here's how to add a dedicated shutdown shortcut to your Windows 11 desktop or taskbar.
How to Get the Most Out of HDR on Windows 11
HDR displays work well with Windows 11 for gaming and streaming video. But to be honest, they don’t look great at first. However, you can tweak some settings to get the best HDR experience possible.
Table of Contents
- What do I need to start using HDR on Windows?
- How to Enable HDR and AutoHDR in Windows 11
- Calibrate HDR display with Windows HDR Calibration software
- Adjust HDR tone mapping and game HDR settings on TV
What do I need to start using HDR on Windows?
To enable HDR, you need an HDR-capable display. You also need a compatible source device; in this case, a Windows 11 PC with an integrated or dedicated GPU that supports HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C, or Thunderbolt. Make sure your GPU drivers are up to date, too.
To see if your display supports HDR, press Win + I to open Settings and go to System > Display . Select Use HDR under Brightness and Color . If you have a multi-display setup, select the HDR-capable display from the Select a display to view or change its settings drop-down list .
If your display supports HDR, you'll see Supported next to both Use HDR and HDR video streaming with a Use HDR toggle to turn HDR on.
Why is Windows 11 displaying HDR not supported?
The most common reason is that you have a non-HDR monitor. Check your monitor's specifications on the official website to see if it supports HDR. Other causes include outdated graphics drivers or HDR being disabled in the external display settings.
For external monitors, like the Asus ROG Swift, you can enable HDR through the monitor's OSD menu. You can access this menu by pressing a physical button, usually located below or on the back of the monitor.
Once in the OSD menu, go to Image > HDR and make sure the HDR option is enabled. Some monitors may have multiple HDR options, such as AMD FreeSync2 HDR, Gaming HDR, or Cinema HDR.
On your TV, you may need to enable Game Mode to enable HDR on Windows 11. The steps to enable HDR and Game Mode may vary depending on the manufacturer. For example, to enable HDR on a Samsung UHD TV:
- Press the Home button on your TV remote control, then select Settings .
- In the Settings menu , open the General tab and select External Device Manager .
- Set Game Mode to On . Then, turn on the Game HDR option.
Additionally, you may also need specific codecs to play HDR videos on streaming platforms. Netflix requires the HEVC extension, but it costs $0.99 in the Microsoft Store. Two other extensions are VP9 for playing YouTube videos in HDR and AVI, both of which are usually pre-installed on PCs.
How to Enable HDR and AutoHDR in Windows 11
You can turn on HDR from the Settings app. Go to Settings > System > Display , then tap Use HDR . If you have multiple displays connected, select the HDR-enabled display from the Select a display to view or change its settings drop-down list .
Turn on the Use HDR switch . The screen may dim or flicker for a moment when HDR is on. You can also turn on HDR video streaming to watch HDR content on streaming platforms like YouTube .
Windows 11 also offers Auto HDR, which automatically turns on HDR for compatible SDR games. While not all games support Auto HDR, many popular titles do, including Minecraft, HALO: Master Chief Collection, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Assassin's Creed Mirage.
You can also enable HDR using the Game Bar. To do this:
- Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar . Then, click Settings (the gear icon) on the toolbar at the top.
- Select Gaming features from the left pane of the window that opens.
- Under HDR, check the box next to Use HDR (Windows + Alt + B) . Then, select HDR on all displays or Use HDR on the main display only .
With Game Bar settings configured, you can quickly turn HDR on or off with the Win + Alt + B shortcut .
Calibrate HDR display with Windows HDR Calibration software
Windows HDR Calibration is the official display calibration tool that helps you create optimized color profiles to improve color accuracy for your HDR display. To get started:
- Download and install the Windows HDR Calibration app from the Microsoft Store. Once launched, navigate to the HDR display you want to calibrate and click Get Started .
- The tool will guide you through the calibration process to adjust Minimal Luminance , Maximum Luminance , Max Full-Frame Luminance and Color Saturation . Just adjust the sliders until the box disappears.
- Once complete, review your new color settings, enter a name for the color profile, and click Finish .
To apply a new color profile, go to Settings > System > Display . Then, under Brightness & Color , click the Color profile drop-down menu and select your newly created color profile. If you need further adjustments, explore additional calibration methods to calibrate your display for accurate color.
Adjust HDR tone mapping and game HDR settings on TV
If HDR content still isn't looking right, check your TV's tone mapping settings. Whether or not to use tone mapping is a matter of personal preference, but switching between dynamic/active and static tone mapping can help you preserve detail without making the screen too bright or too dark.
Since different TV manufacturers use different tone mapping, you'll need to experiment to find what works best for you. Here's how to adjust it on a Samsung TV:
- Go to Settings > Picture > Expert Settings .
- Select HDR Tone Mapping , then choose from the Static and Active options .
Some TVs, like the LG C2, support an HGiG mode that automatically adjusts the color of in-game content to match the creator's intent. Likewise, Samsung TVs use HDR based on the HGiG standard, so you may not need to mess with tone mapping settings unless necessary.
Once you've enabled HDR in Windows 11 and calibrated your display, check and enable HDR in the game settings if available. For example, to enable HDR10 in Cyberpunk 2077, go to Settings > Video > HDR Mode and set it to HDR10 PQ or HDR10 scRGB .
Optimizing HDR on Windows 11 lets you experience games and movies the way the creators intended. With these tips, you can get the most out of your expensive HDR display in Windows 11.
This PowerShell script can bypass Windows 11 system requirements, Microsoft Account
A new utility is being developed that will help remove the strict system requirements of Windows 11.
10 Ways to Fix Missing Bluetooth Option in Windows 11
Bluetooth options have disappeared on your Windows 111 computer? This can happen for a number of reasons, including temporary glitches, corrupted Bluetooth drivers, and issues with the Windows operating system.
How to get and provide remote support using the Quick Assist app in Windows 11
This guide will show you how to use the Quick Assist app to get help or help someone over a remote connection in Windows 11.
Microsoft is bringing annoying Windows 11 Start menu ads to Windows 10
Microsoft continues to announce plans to add new features to Windows 10, despite the fact that the operating system will inevitably die in October 2025.
How to Get Rid of Ads on Windows 11 Devices
Microsoft allows users to disable ads from Windows 11, but the process isn't straightforward. Here are different ways to remove ads from your Windows 11 device.
Invite to download Dynamic wallpaper pack designed for Windows 11 but canceled at the last minute
Besides elements like new interface and features, another aspect, although small, also receives a lot of attention on Windows: wallpaper packs designed and introduced by Microsoft for special occasions.
How to Control and Customize Notifications in Windows 11
With a constant stream of notifications and alerts on your Windows 11 laptop, staying focused becomes a challenge. So take control and customize your notifications to suit your needs.
Why do so many people downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10?
Although Microsoft promotes Windows 11 as the future of computing, many people have recently downgraded to Windows 10 on their main PCs. Here's why it might actually be worth it to go back to an older operating system.
How to get the newly released Windows 11 24H2 update
Windows 11 is expected to receive two notable major updates this year.
How to install and set up Windows 11 without an Internet connection
If you don't have a working Internet connection or want to use a local user account, you can follow these methods to set up Windows 11.
Microsoft wants users to understand why old CPUs cant run Windows 11
When users try to install Windows 11 build 26058, the Setup file will give a message saying “This PCs processor doesnt support a critical feature (PopCnt)”
Tencent brings Android games to Microsoft Store Windows 11
Earlier this year, Microsoft announced its decision to discontinue the Windows Subsystem for Android, which was designed to allow Android apps to run natively on Windows 11.
Windows 11 taskbar has a hidden End Task feature, heres how to enable it
End Task is a feature in Windows Task Manager that allows users to close any responding or unresponsive program.
How to Check RAM, GPU, and CPU Usage in Windows 11
If you're using Windows, there are tools built into the operating system that allow you to quickly look up how much RAM, CPU, and GPU are being used by a particular process.
How to fix high memory usage issue on Microsoft Edge
Are you getting a High Memory Usage Detected warning while browsing on Microsoft Edge? It means that some browser processes are using too much memory (RAM).
How to set up speech recognition in Windows
Follow these steps to set up speech recognition on your Windows laptop or PC.
Restore hidden folders in Windows when infected with virus
In many cases, it is usually due to virus attacks that the hidden folders of the system cannot be displayed even after activating the “Show hidden files and folders” option in Folder Options. Some of the following methods will help to handle this problem.
3 ways to turn off Windows 10 firewall
Sometimes you still need to turn off the firewall to perform certain functions. The 3 ways to turn off the Win 10 firewall below will help you in such situations.
How to add Shutdown desktop shortcut in Windows 11
If you're looking for a quicker method, here's how to add a dedicated shutdown shortcut to your Windows 11 desktop or taskbar.
How to add JPEG XL support in Windows 11
Windows 11 doesn't support the JPEG X image format by default, but you can install an add-on that does. Here's how to add JPEG XL support in Windows 11.
Instructions to fix the error of not being able to pin applications to the Windows 11 Taskbar
In the process of pinning applications, sometimes we encounter some errors such as not being able to pin the application to the Taskbar. Below are some ways to fix the error of not being able to pin the application to the Windows 11 Taskbar.
Should I use Windows BitLocker to encrypt my hard drive?
Windows BitLocker offers an easy-to-use solution for encrypting your hard drive. However, it also has its drawbacks, so it may not be a great choice for everyone.
How to Overwrite Deleted Data on a Drive in Windows 11/10
This guide will show you how to overwrite (securely erase) deleted data on a drive so that it cannot be recovered or accessed in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Tips to add Copilot to Windows 11 right-click menu
If you regularly use Copilot on Windows 11, there is a very simple way to quickly access Copilot, which is to add Copilot to the right-click menu.
How to add a printer to Windows 10
Adding a printer to Windows 10 is simple, although the process for wired devices will be different than for wireless devices.
This PowerShell script can bypass Windows 11 system requirements, Microsoft Account
A new utility is being developed that will help remove the strict system requirements of Windows 11.
10 Important Mistakes to Avoid When Maintaining Your Computer
PC maintenance is essential for long-term, efficient performance. However, there are some mistakes you can make that can do more harm than good to your PC.
How to enable Smart App Control Windows 11 protection
Smart App Control (SAC) is a security feature included in the Windows Security application that locks down the system, allowing only trusted applications to run.
How to configure TCP/IP settings in Windows
Your computer needs a way to communicate with other devices, and that's where TCP/IP comes in. TCP/IP ensures that data moves smoothly across the network, whether you're browsing the web or sharing files.