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AutoHDR comes to Windows 10 and 11: how to use AutoHDR on Windows

Xbox Series X/S DirectX technology enhances gaming on Windows 11

Updated: Nov 30, 2021 10:45 am
AutoHDR comes to Windows 10 and 11: how to use AutoHDR on Windows

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AutoHDR was one of the biggest improvements that arrived with the current generation of Xbox consoles, enhancing old games with the power of new DirectX technology. HDR allows for lights and darks on a digital display to show more detail and depth than in a SDR image, presenting a fuller, richer and more realistic picture quality. 

While a lot of new games are mastered by their studios with HDR technology and look very modern, AutoHDR is a software based API that can render an older image with HDR at a software level and makes it look better. 

The technology has had promising results —making Series X/S consoles the only platform where Psychonauts 2 had HDR, for example— in several new game releases, but has also been a key part of Xbox Game Studios current backwards compatibility enhancement program. Auto HDR on PC will use DirectX 11 or DirectX 12 to take SDR games and convert their output for HDR displays without the computer user having to do anything.

Gears 5 Hivebusters AutoHDR on Windows

How do I activate Auto HDR on Windows 10?

First of all, we recommend you get an HDR monitor. You’ll need it to be able to see Auto HDR, we recommend one with a 1000 nit HDR screen or better.

If you want to use Auto HDR on PC you’ll need to join the Windows Insider Program dev channel. You can join that by clicking here, and then you’ll want to install Windows 10 test build 21337 or above.

To enable AutoHDR in Windows 10, you need to: 

  • Open Settings, then open System and find Display.
  • Go to the Windows HD Color Settings.
  • Scroll down and set the Use HDR toggle to “On”.
  • Find the Auto HDR toggle and set this to “On” as well.

To disable AutoHDR in Windows 10, follow these steps:

  • Open Settings, then open System and find Display.
  • Go to the Windows HD Color Settings.
  • Find the Auto HDR toggle and set this to “Off”.

How do I turn on Auto HDR on Windows 11?

  • Open the Start Menu.
  • Go to Settings.
  • Open the Display options on the panel on the right.
  • Click HDR.
  • Open the Display menu.
  • Enable all the HDR settings you’d like. This will also allow 4K HDR Blu-Ray movies to display in HDR, if they’re compatible.


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