Did you know that Windows has a utility that allows you to magnify what’s on the screen? Some form of this utility has been in Windows for years but it doesn’t seem to be all that well known. In Windows 7, it comes with a variety of keyboard shortcuts that make using it quite easy. It is part of the Ease of Access Center discussed in a previous tip  It can be accessed there by opening the Ease of Access Center with the keyboard shortcut
         Windows key+U
or directly with the keyboard combination
         Windows key and Plus Sign(+)

• Full-screen mode—In full-screen mode, the entire screen is magnified. 
• Lens mode—In lens mode, a separate window around the mouse pointer is created that acts like a magnifying glass. When you move the mouse pointer, this window moves along with it.
• Docked mode— In docked mode, the magnified area is docked to the top of the screen. This is the only mode available if Aero is disabled.

Magnifier can be managed with a variety of shortcuts, which are given in the table below.

This tips section is maintained by Vic Laurie. Vic runs a Windows blog called The PC Informant and also operates a computer education website.

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