How to Set up Automatic HDR for Windows 10 PC Games

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Microsoft is adding Auto HDR to Windows 10. A new setting borrowed from Xbox Series X / S adds HDR (High-Dynamic Range) color and brightness levels to DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 games that otherwise only have SDR (standard dynamic range) … ). Microsoft notes that its Auto HDR technology won’t match native HDR visuals, but using the feature still results in more colorful and vibrant PC games – and even older games that weren’t designed with HDR in mind will get a boost.

Auto HDR is available in the latest release of the Windows Insider Dev Channel (Build 21337), but it will roll out to the stable version of Windows 10 in the coming weeks. Here’s how to join the Insider Program and install a new developer build to try out Auto HDR early on:

  1. Go to the Windows Insider home page .
  2. Click Sign Up, then sign in to your Microsoft account.
  3. Follow the onscreen instructions to install Windows Insider Dev Channel Build 21337 (or later).

Again, joining the Windows Insider Program is only necessary if you want to try Auto HDR early. However, all users will need an HDR monitor to use the new display settings when available. If your hardware supports HDR, here’s how to enable Auto HDR in Windows 10:

  1. Right-click the desktop screen and select Display Options (or open the Start menu and select Settings > System> Display ).
  2. From the Display menu, choose Windows HD Color Options.
  3. Make sure the Use HDR switch is on, then scroll down and turn on Auto HDR. ( Note: If “Use HDR” and “Auto HDR” are grayed out or not present, then your monitor does not support HDR. )
  4. Close the preferences window.
  5. The next time you play a PC game, Auto HDR will be automatically triggered if the game supports this feature.

Microsoft has also created a dedicated “split screen” mode that lets you see the difference that Auto HDR makes in real time. Enabling Auto HDR split-screen mode shows non-HDR gameplay on one display and Auto HDR-enhanced visuals on the other. Naturally, double rendering of a game will affect performance and slow down your PC; Microsoft says split-screen mode is for developers looking to test out Auto HDR improvements, but all Windows Insiders can try it out if they’re interested:

  1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. Run this command to enable automatic split screen 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 ]

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