¶ About Enabling Higher Display Resolution
Many users of Windows virtual machines notice that display resolution is restricted to 800×600 by default. This limitation typically arises because the VM is using a basic or generic video adapter without proper drivers or the necessary video hardware configuration. By configuring the VM to use QXL video hardware, installing matching drivers, and adjusting the video memory, higher resolutions become available and usable within the Windows guest.
¶ Before you Start
To complete the actions below, you must have:
- A user with the permissions to create and edit resources. For more information, read our Accounts chapter.
- A running Windows virtual machine.
- VirtIO drivers must be installed in the Windows VM. These typically come pre-installed with our ISOs and templates; if not, you can use our Working with ISOs tutorial for instructions.
¶ Getting Started
Follow these steps to configure your Windows VM to use QXL video hardware and enable higher display resolutions:
- Navigate to Compute → Instances and select your Windows VM from the list.
- Shut down (Stop Instance) the Windows VM if it is currently running:
- Go to the VM’s settings panel and add the following line:
- Save the settings, restart the VM and switch to the console view.
- Inside Windows, open Display Settings. You should now be able to select a higher resolution from the available options.
¶ Conclusion
You have successfully configured your Windows virtual machine to support higher display resolutions by enabling the QXL video hardware. This enhancement allows for more flexible and efficient use of screen real estate, improving your overall experience with the IaaS Cloud platform.
If you encounter any issues or have further questions, our support team is available to assist you. Explore additional features and optimizations to fully leverage the capabilities of your virtual environment.