Auto HDR is one of the many features Windows offers to its gaming and movie enthusiasts. With Windows 11 made available for every compatible Windows 10 device, enabling and disabling Auto HDR for games differs in both versions. However, there’s no need to worry. In this article, we’ll be going over the process to enable Auto HDR for games in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Before that, let’s learn more about Auto HDR for games on Windows PC and laptops.
Auto HDR In Games For Windows 11/10
Auto HDR isn’t something new. The term was first brought into gossip when the current generation of Xbox consoles was yet to be released. Auto HDR arrived with the current generation of Xbox consoles, and its purpose was simple, to revive older games using the strength of the new DirectX technology in terms of visuals and graphics.
Auto HDR is primarily a software-based API used to render old imagery with High Dynamic Range at a software level. The lights and terms on display show more details with enhanced colors. In simpler terms, it makes video games look better and more realistic. Most modern games currently come with a built-in HDR technology for better visuals. Windows also added its feature for enabling HDR in compatible games that lets you further customize the visuals of your favorite games.
In the case of Windows devices, the HDR feature converts compatible games from standard dynamic range to high dynamic range, which results in rich colors, better lightings, and an overall enhanced visual experience. This feature is available on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. So without any further delay, let’s take a look at the steps we need to follow to enable auto HDR in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Where Does HDR Make a Difference?
Most of us love to play games on our devices after a tiring day for refreshment. What makes playing video games so much fun is ineffable to a great extent. Video games have so many elements that help us relax and enjoy while playing them. One of these elements is their appearance. Video games have undergone constant evolution ever since they first came out, and it doesn’t look like the evolution will stop anytime soon.
Over the past few years, video games have surpassed any expectations set for them regarding visuals and appearances. HDR or High Dynamic Range is a feature that allows video games’ colors to appear more bold and dynamic, thus improving the overall visual quality and greatly enhancing the immersion of users like us.
The PC gaming community is a vast community that boasts a ton of high-end AAA games with a massive player base. Most of the player base consists of Windows users. Windows has pulled no hands in making its move to appeal to this community in every possible term and has added many features to their software packages intended for a better gaming experience.
How To Enable And Disable Auto HDR In Windows 11
As mentioned earlier, the Windows 11 update is out for all compatible Windows 10 devices. Many changes include changes in certain features and ways to access them. Toggling Auto HDR “On” and “Off” is one. To enable Auto HDR in Windows 11, the steps you need to follow are slightly different. Here are the steps that you need to follow to enable Auto HDR in Windows 11:
- Open the Start Menu.
- Navigate to Settings > System > Display
- Select your monitor or display and click on it to open it.
- Find HDR under Brightness & Color section, and click on it.
- Open the Display menu.
- You’ll see a bunch of HDR settings. Turn on the Use HDR option.
- Find Auto HDR and toggle it to On as well.
Now you’ve enabled the feature of Auto HDR on your Windows 11 device. The gaming experiences on Windows 10 and 11 don’t differ too much, but enabling Auto HDR in both of them can significantly enhance the overall visual quality, and the games will appear more immersive.
Let’s now take a look at how to disable Auto HDR in Windows 11:
- Open Windows Settings using Win + I
- Navigate to System > Display
- Under Brightness & Color section, find HDR and click on it.
- Turn the toggle off for Use HDR and Auto HDR as well.
It will disable the Auto HDR for games in your Windows PC to turn off. Again, the performance of your device can witness a slight boost in itself after toggling this feature, and all of it entirely depends on your choices.
Let’s now look at steps to enable and disable Auto HDR in Windows.
How To Enable And Disable Auto HDR In Windows 10?
Before getting into the process of enabling Auto HDR in Windows 10, there are some prerequisites that you need to be aware of. The essential requirement for enhanced HDR visuals in video games on Windows 10 is having an HDR monitor. Yes, that’s right. You’ll need an HDR monitor to see Auto HDR.
Now let’s take a look at the steps you need to follow to turn Auto HDR on in your Windows 10 device:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Search for System, and click on it to open it.
- Find Display, and click on it.
- Scroll down under the Display section, and locate Use HDR.
- Toggle it to On.
- Look for Auto HDR, and turn it to On as well.
Now that we’ve successfully turned Auto HDR on, we’ll be able to enjoy significantly enhanced colors and visuals while playing games that are compatible with HDR. Note that you may not find a difference if the game isn’t compatible, or the monitor isn’t an HDR monitor either.
Let’s now take a look at the steps we need to follow if we wish to disable Auto HDR on Windows 10:
- Open Settings.
- Find System and click on it.
- Locate Display, and click on it to open it.
- Under the Display section, search for Windows HD Color Settings.
- Find the Auto HDR feature, and turn it off.
It will disable the Auto HDR feature in your Windows 10 device. In certain circumstances, disabling the Auto HDR may not deliver the best visuals but might slightly improve performance. It’s all up to your preferences.
How Do I Get Auto HDR If It Is Not Available For My Computer?
You can get Auto HDR on your computer by updating the specifications of your computer. Sometimes, Auto HDR can be unavailable because of an incompatible monitor. Other times it can be because of a low-performance graphics card or processor. Try changing these.
Does Windows’ Auto HDR In Games Make A Difference?
Yes, Windows Auto HDR for old games makes a real and differentiable difference in games’ graphics quality. It certainly does not change the overall experience, but it enhances it.
Is Auto HDR Available For All Windows 11 Compatible Devices?
No, the availability of Auto HDR For Windows 11 and Windows 10 devices depends on your computer and monitor specifications. The feature is only available on high-end computers for now.
High Dynamic Range is an excellent feature for those who love immersive games and enjoy realistic experiences. The Auto HDR feature that was initially introduced along with the current generation of Xbox consoles is also available for Windows 10 and Windows 11. This article discussed how you could enable Auto HDR in Windows. That said, we’ll wrap this article up and hope that this guide was of help to you.