Windows 10 uses an unusual scaling technique to adjust display size.
Windows 10 uses an unusual scaling technique to adjust display size.
I observed that Windows 10 doesn't truly alter resolutions. It only adjusts the internal rendering and rescales the output to mimic the intended display size. For instance, setting a very low resolution like 800x600 won't actually reduce the signal; the GPU keeps it at the monitor's native size, scales the image down to 800x600 internally, and then displays it across the monitor's standard resolution. This approach is likely in place because using the scaling slider for any other desktop resolution would be inaccurate.
This information describes how W10 handles scaling, leading to a blurry interface even with AA. Microsoft provides detailed blog posts explaining the scaling configuration and its reasons (see links provided). This overview dates back to around 2015-2018, and I believe the core aspects of Windows remain consistent.
You must inform the GPU driver to avoid adjusting the screen resolution to fit the monitor's display. The setting isn't always obvious, especially on AMD systems. On Nvidia platforms: access the Control Panel, navigate to Display, then choose "Adjust size and position" and select "No Scale." For a monitor that supports 1:1 pixel mapping, look for options like "Mapping," "Scaling," or "Wide Mode." Some monitors offer this feature, while others don't and may scale automatically regardless.