How Can I Zoom Windows Explorer Back Out if It Zoomed In?

By Chris Miksen

Like its predecessors, Windows 7 offers you the opportunity to zoom in or out.
i Matt Stroshane/Getty Images News/Getty Images

If you were using Windows Explorer and the icons and text suddenly seemed larger, don't worry, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. You accidentally used the Windows 7 zoom feature, which allows you to zoom in and see all contents of a program or Web page magnified. Fortunately, you can zoom back out while in Windows Explorer by holding down a button on your keyboard and using your mouse.

Open Windows Explorer by clicking the folder image on the toolbar or typing "Explorer" in the "Start" menu "Search" box.

Press down and hold the "Ctrl" key with one finger.

Move your mouse's scroll wheel backwards, as if you were scrolling down a page. If you accidentally zoom out too much, press and hold the "Ctrl" key and scroll up to zoom back in.

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