Illustration for the article titled Setting Up Auto HDR for Windows 10 PC GamesScreenshot: Microsoft

Microsoft adds Auto HDR to Windows 10. The new setting, borrowed from the Xbox Series X / S, extends DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 games, which otherwise only have SDR (Standard Dynamic Range), with HDR color and brightness levels (High-Dynamic Range) ). Microsoft Notes Auto HDR technology doesn’t match native HDR graphics, but using this feature still results in more colorful and vibrant PC games – and even older titles that weren’t designed for HDR get a boost.

Auto HDR is available in the latest version of Windows Insider Dev Channel (Build 21337) but will be rolled out on the stable version of Windows 10 in the coming weeks. To join the Insider Program and install the new developer build to try out Auto HDR early:

  1. Go to Windows Insider Program Home Page.
  2. click “To register,” Then sign in with your Microsoft account.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows Insider Dev Channel Build 21337 (or higher).

Joining the Windows Insider Program is only required if you want to try Auto HDR early. However, all users will need an HDR monitor to take advantage of the new display settings as they become available. If your hardware is HDR capable, you can enable Auto HDR in Windows 10 as follows:

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  1. Right click on your desktop screen and select “Display settings” (or open the Start menu and go to Settings> System> Display).
  2. On the Display menu, click “Windows HD Color Settings.”
  3. Make sure, that “Use HDR” Toggle is enabled, then scroll down and activate “Auto HDR.” ((Note: If “Use HDR” and “Auto HDR” If they’re grayed out or missing, your monitor doesn’t support HDR.)
  4. Close the settings window.
  5. The next time you play a PC game, Auto HDR will be activated automatically if the game supports this feature.

Microsoft has also created a special “split-screen” mode that lets you see the difference Auto HDR makes in real time. Enabling Split Screen Auto HDR will show non-HDR gameplay on one display and HD HD enhanced graphics on the other. Obviously, if you render the game twice it will affect performance and slow down your PC. According to Microsoft, split-screen mode is for developers looking to check out Auto HDR’s improvements, but all Windows insiders can give it a try if they’re curious:

  1. Run the command prompt as an administrator.
  2. Run this command to enable Split Screen Auto HDR: reg add HKLM SYSTEM CurrentControlSet Control GraphicsDrivers / v AutoHDR.ScreenSplit / t REG_DWORD / d 1
  3. Run this command to disable it: reg delete HKLM SYSTEM CurrentControlSet Control GraphicsDrivers / v AutoHDR.ScreenSplit / f

[Polygon]