How to Adjust Your PC Screen Orientation (or Resolve a Sideways Display)

Some Noticeable Information

To change the screen orientation on a Windows PC, navigate to Settings > Display and adjust the orientation settings accordingly. Additionally, your graphics drivers may offer specific controls for screen rotation.

How to Rotate Screen on Windows 10

Rotating your screen on Windows is a breeze, and you don't need any additional software to do it. This feature is particularly handy if you have a desktop monitor that can be rotated. Additionally, several PCs come equipped with hotkeys that allow you to effortlessly rotate your screen. However, it's worth noting that accidentally pressing these hotkeys is quite common.

To rotate your screen on Windows 10, right-click your desktop, and then select the "Display Settings" command.

In Windows 10, navigate to the Settings > System > Display window. Find the Resolution section and select the Orientation option. From the dropdown menu, choose your desired screen orientation: Landscape, Portrait, Landscape (flipped), or Portrait (flipped).

If the screen orientation option is not visible in the Settings app on Windows 10 or the Control Panel on Windows 7, consider updating the graphics drivers of your computer. The absence of this option might indicate that you are currently utilizing generic video drivers that are not compatible with your computer's graphics hardware.

How to Rotate Your Screen With Hotkeys

Certain computers are equipped with hotkeys that allow for the swift rotation of the screen upon activation. These specific hotkeys are made available through the Intel graphics drivers and are solely enabled on select computers. In the event that your computer's display unexpectedly rotated while executing a keyboard action, it is highly likely that the hotkey was inadvertently triggered.

To adjust the orientation of your screen using hotkeys, simply press Ctrl+Alt+Arrow. For instance, pressing Ctrl+Alt+Up Arrow will restore your screen to its default upright rotation, Ctrl+Alt+Right Arrow will rotate it by 90 degrees, Ctrl+Alt+Down Arrow will flip it upside down (180 degrees), and Ctrl+Alt+Left Arrow will rotate it by 270 degrees.

You have the option to customize or disable these hotkeys using the Hot Key Manager tool in either the Intel Graphics Control Panel or the Intel Command Center on your PC. To access it, simply click on the small blue icon on your Task Bar, launch it from the Start Menu, or press Ctrl+Alt+F1 to open the Intel Command Center. From there, click on Options, and then navigate to Support (Four small squares) > Hot Key Manager.

If you do not have the Intel Graphics Settings tool on your PC, it is likely that you are not using Intel graphics. Similarly, if you do not see the screen rotation shortcuts on the Hot Key Manager screen, they are not available on your PC.

How to Disable Automatic Screen Rotation on Windows 10

Convertible PCs and tablets running Windows 10 have a feature that automatically adjusts the screen orientation as the device is rotated. This function is similar to that of modern iPhones and Android smartphones. To disable the automatic screen rotation, you can activate Rotation Lock by accessing the Action Center. This can be done by either clicking on the notification icon located on the right side of your taskbar or pressing Windows+A.

Click or tap the "Rotation Lock" quick action tile to lock your screen in its current orientation. Click or tap the tile again to disable Rotation Lock.

The Rotation Lock option is also available at Settings > System > Display.

If the option is not visible in either location, it means your device lacks built-in accelerometer hardware and therefore does not support automatic screen rotation.

If the Rotation Lock tile appears disabled, you need to switch your convertible PC to tablet mode. This can be done by either rotating its screen or detaching it from the keyboard. Rotation Lock is not accessible in standard laptop mode as the screen will not rotate automatically in this mode.

How to Rotate Screen With Your Graphics Drivers

You can also try accessing the screen rotation options in your Intel or NVIDIA, depending on your PC's graphics hardware. However, the default Windows option should be compatible with all PCs. If Windows is unable to change the screen rotation, you can try adjusting it through your graphics driver's control panel.

For PCs with Intel graphics, you can access the Intel Command Center by either launching it from the Start Menu or clicking on the small blue icon on the Task Bar. Then, select the Display tab, represented by a small monitor icon, and choose your desired display orientation. Please note that this option may not be available on all PCs with Intel graphics. In such cases, you can use the standard Windows Settings app instead.

For older computers with Intel Graphics, the Intel Control Panel should be used instead of the Command Center. To access it, simply right-click on an empty space on the desktop and click on "Intel Graphics Settings" or a similar option.

If your PC has NVIDIA graphics, right-click on the desktop and choose "NVIDIA Control Panel." From there, navigate to the Display section and select "Rotate Display" to adjust the screen orientation according to your preference.

The NVIDIA Control Panel forces you to confirm your choice, so you don't accidentally invert your screen in a way to makes it difficult to use.

Rotating your display can lead to two common thoughts. The first thought is usually the desire to play a prank by inverting a friend's display, rendering their computer unusable. The second thought is the realization that a monitor in portrait mode is now needed. When opting for a monitor in portrait mode, ensure that it is equipped with a stand that enables rotation.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I find the ability to rotate my PC screen incredibly useful. Whether I'm working on a project that requires a vertical layout or watching a video that's best viewed in landscape mode, being able to quickly and easily adjust my screen orientation is a huge time-saver.

I also appreciate the fact that there are multiple ways to rotate the screen, including using hotkeys, the Settings app, and the graphics drivers. This gives me the flexibility to choose the method that works best for me. Overall, I think the ability to rotate the PC screen is a great feature that can enhance the user experience.