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Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2022 August 30

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August 30

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Mysterious changes in file size, font size and type

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I have HP Pavilion with Windows 10. I have cordless mouse and keyboard. The keyboard stopped typing, I changed the batteries. When I looked at my post I could not recognize it. All fonts in Wikipedia grew in size almost five-fold. Why? Is there a control button to bring everything to a normal size? Even worse, a week ago there was a MS upgrade. Since then all my texts previously typed in Word application grew up in size, the fonts are large, Previous Palatino 11 disappeared. The spaces between the lines now very large. The files have become unusable, and I cannot change that. It's almost I need to throw away my computer and purchase new. Is it a virus? Is it a result of "upgrade?" Thanks, AboutFace 22 (talk) 21:14, 30 August 2022 (UTC)[reply]

It's possible that the windows key was held down, then the plus key was punched a few times. (I hear that cats often accidentally hit this combination, activating the Windows Magnifier).
If so, it's easy to fix: hold down the windows key, then punch the minus key a few times until everything returns to normal size. --DavidCary (talk) 23:16, 30 August 2022 (UTC)[reply]
Sir, your advice did not work but you've made a correct diagnosis. I am 84 and my eye-site is poor, so once I tried to use the magnifier with very poor result. I abandoned it, by closing, but it is still messing up my software. When I do the start-up two or three rectangular windows appear. They have plus and minus signs on them and some percentage signs but at this stage the cursor does not appear.I cannot use those "controls" to change the size of magnification. So, it is obvious to me that the developers created defective software in more sense than one. Now the Magnifier magnifies many things I don't need to be magnified. I am afraid I will be forced to reinstall the OS.
Thank you AboutFace 22 (talk) 17:03, 31 August 2022 (UTC)[reply]
The Windows key is between "Ctrl" and "Alt": . Hold it down and press "Esc" to disable the magnifier. In some programs you can control zoom with Ctrl++ for larger, Ctrl+- for smaller, and Ctrl+0 for normal. PrimeHunter (talk) 17:53, 31 August 2022 (UTC)[reply]
@PrimeHunter, thank you. Ctr+0 worked for Wikipedia, however my Word files are still enlarged and I cannot use them. AboutFace 22 (talk) 13:22, 1 September 2022 (UTC)[reply]
@AboutFace 22: If Windows key + "Esc" doesn't help then try the mouse scroll wheel while holding down "Ctrl", or look for "Zoom" on the "View" tab. PrimeHunter (talk) 19:33, 2 September 2022 (UTC)[reply]
@PrimeHunter, thank you. Ctrl + mouse wheel worked flawlessly and now I have all my documents in perfect order. Thank you, AboutFace 22 (talk) 00:18, 4 September 2022 (UTC)[reply]