You may notice – if you don’t use ClearType in Windows XP – that you sometimes have to squint at the screen to read text; particularly if, like me, your vision isn’t perfect. This can be somewhat of a pain-in-the-ass and may even cause eye-strain with prolonged use of the computer.

There is a remedy, other than buying a pair of glasses: Microsoft have come running to the rescue with ClearType; which smoothes off the errant original font edges somewhat, and makes text easier to see. You, the user, tune it yourself to exactly how you’d like it. – Both during setup, and from the Windows XP Control-Panel afterwards if you like.

To set up Clear-Type, the best option is to go to the relevant Microsoft Typography page and download the ClearType Tuner Power Toy. Install and run the software, tuning it up so that everything’s good in your eyes as you do so. If you need to make further adjustments afterwards at any time; follow the instructions below which I snagged from Microsoft’s typography page: -

Related links

• ClearType Information page
• Online ClearType tuner
• Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP