How to zoom on a Windows PC or Apple Mac computer

Windows and Mac computers come with built-in features to zoom in on areas of the screen if such magnification is needed. These #accessibility tools are included for users with vision limitations so they can better use their computers. Magnifier comes on #Windows-based computers and Zoom is available on #Macs if text or images are too small to see clearly.

Magnifier for Windows 10

Press Windows logo key and Plus sign (+) on the keyboard to turn on Magnifier. Press Windows logo key + Esc to turn it off. Or, select Start > Settings > East of Access > Magnifier and toggle the feature on or off.

The Views menu provides you with different modes for zooming in on sections of your screen. I'm partial to Lens, which acts as a magnifying glass you move across the screen with your mouse/trackpad.

Magnifier for Windows 7

If you still use Windows 7, Magnifier can be accessed two ways. Select Start button and then type Magnifier in the search field. Or, select Start button > All Programs > Accessories > Ease of Access > Magnifier. Press Windows logo key + Esc to turn it off.

(Just a friendly reminder, Microsoft will no longer provide updates or support for Windows 7 starting January 2020. Extended support is available but you will have to pay for it.)

Zoom for Macs

Open the Apple menu and select System Preferences > Accessibility > Zoom. Tick the box Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom to turn on this feature. Once Zoom is enabled, press Option-Command-8 to toggle zoom on/off, Option-Command-Equals sign (=) to zoom in, or Option-Command-Minus sign (–) to zoom out. Click your mouse cursor on a different portion of the screen and use the aforementioned shortcuts to zoom in/out on the new section.

I prefer this full screen method over the picture-in-picture option. This tutorial explains all available Zoom features in detail.

(This works on my #MacBook Pro running #macOS 10.14.3.)