Turn On or Off HDR for Display in Windows 11 (2025)

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off use HDR for a display in Windows 11.

HDR content on Windows offers better brightness and color capabilities compared to traditional content (sometimes called standard dynamic range [SDR] content). Traditional content typically shows details in a bright part of a scene or a darker part of a scene, but not in both parts at the same time. For example, if the shot focuses on a bright window in the scene, details in the shadow are lost.

HDR can show a wider range of colors and light and more details in between the extremes. Colors are more vivid and unique in HDR content. Additionally, bright parts of a scene are brighter while dark parts can be darker, so you get to see all the details.

As hardware improves, more and more devices can display HDR content. If you’ve been looking at the latest TVs and monitors, you’ve probably seen the term HDR more frequently. With HDR in Windows, you’ll start to see HDR content when you use your Windows 11 devices as well.

To get the best HDR experience, use a device with a true HDR10 display. You’ll need this kind of display for HDR apps and games. For video, the best experience will be on a true HDR display. However, you can still play HDR content on many newer, non-HDR laptops as well.

If your connected TV, external display, or built-in display(s) meets the requirements for HDR10, you will be able to turn on and off HDR for the HDR-capable display in Windows 11.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.4202 (24H2), Microsoft has changed the wording for “Use HDR” inside display capabilities to improve clarity on supported media types.

References:

1 Press the Win + Alt + B keys to toggle HDR on or off for all HDR-capable displays.

1 Press the Win + G keys to open the Xbox Game Bar.

2 Click/tap on the Settings (gear) icon on the game bar. (see screenshot below)

3 Click/tap on Gaming features in Settings.

4 Check (on - default) or uncheck (off) Use HDR with compatible display for what you want.

1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Display on the right side. (see screenshot below)

3 If you have multiple displays connected to your PC, choose the HDR-capable display you want at the top. (see screenshot below)

4 Turn On (default) or Off HDR for what you want.

5 You can now close Settings if you like.

1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Display on the right side. (see screenshot below)

3 Click/tap on HDR on the right side. (see screenshot below)

4 If you have multiple displays connected to your PC, choose the HDR-capable display you want in the Select a display to view or change its settings drop menu. (see screenshots below)

5 Turn On (default) or Off HDR for what you want.

If you turn on HDR, you will have other HDR settings available to change if wanted.

6 You can now close Settings if you like.

That's it,
Shawn Brink