Since now you know how to turn on ClearType in Windows XP it’s time to get to know of how to fine tune ClearType so that it suits your reading eyes. ClearType is a great technology to enhance the screen readability on Windows XP but it is not a one step solution that you can just turn on and your display will be crisper and clear than before. For most cases the default ClearType setting should be enough but in some cases you might want to fine tune your ClearType settings to make sure ClearType meet your needs.

Microsoft has an answer to fine tuning your ClearType settings, and that answer is ClearType Tuner. ClearType tuner is a plugin that’s signed by Microsoft (so it’s safe to install) and once installed will help you fine tune ClearType settings using your web browser, preferably Internet Explorer. Follow these steps to fine tune your ClearType settings (I would recommend using Internet Explorer for this as I’ve got negative results trying the same with other browsers),

Step-1:

Launch your Internet Explorer and navigate to http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/Step1.aspx and Internet Explorer will ask you to allow installation of the “ClearType Tuner” plugin. Just go ahead and allow it to be installed.

Click on the little pop-in that says “This website wants to install…” and then click on the “Install ActiveX Control…” menu option.

Internet Explorer will popup a “Internet Explorer – Security Warning” dialog. Make sure the name says “Microsoft ClearType Tuning Control” and the publisher says “Microsoft Corporation”. Once sure hit the “Install” button.

Step-2:

Internet Explorer will install the plugin and will reload the Microsoft Typography page again, and you’ll arrive at Step-1 of the fine tuning process. It will show you a visual difference of how ClearType enhanced page will look like. You should be able to make out the difference. Make sure to check the “Turn on ClearType” if it’s not checked already (make sure to have a tick mark in front). Hit the “Next >” button.

Step-3:

You’ll arrive at Step-2 of the fine tuning process. Here you’d have to choose the section that’s more readable and comfortable to your eyes. on the above screenshot you can see that I’ve selected the left pane and so it’s surrounded with a blue border. Once you’ve selected the pane you feel comfortable reading hit the “Next >” button.

Step-4:

Now, you’ll arrive at Step-3 of the fine tuning process. Of the 6 blocks of text you see on this page, select the one that you feel more comfortable reading and then hit the “Finish” button. If you’ve messed selecting the block just hit the “Restore Default” button.

Once you’ve hit the “Finish” button your ClearType settings would be fine tuned to make your eyes feel a bit more comfortable reading. Internet Explorer will display the above page. Just make sure the texts look fine to your eyes and move on.

If you want to change the settings again in the future just visit the site  and then you can follow from Step-2, you don’t have to install the plugin every time unless you’ve removed it.

I hope you read this on your monitor more comfortably than before. If you have any questions regarding this please make sure to ask us at the comments below.