If you are a hardcore PC gamer, you better enable the Auto HDR feature in Windows 11/10. Microsoft borrowed the Xbox Series X/S feature, and it adds HDR or High Dynamic Range color and brightness levels to DirectX 11 and 12 games. Although Microsoft did mention that the HDR feature won’t match the native visuals, it will still offer more colorful and vibrant gameplay. So the question is How to Enable Auto HDR for Games on Windows 11/10 PC?
What is Audio HDR?
HDR is a video or imaging technique that digitally reproduces the lights and dark scenes. As a result, the games are displayed in a more detailed way.
By increasing the range of color and luminance of HDR, it offers an immersive and realistic experience. Plus, you will be able to see the details of haunting movement in dark shadows instead of just black.
Also, while game studios develop for HRD gaming PCS by mastering their game natively for HDR, the Auto HDR Feature for PC will expand the color/brightness range up to HRD of the DirectX 11 or DirectX 12 SDR-only games.
As a result, you will be able to get an amazing new gaming experience by taking full advantage of your HDR monitor’s capabilities.
How to check if your monitor supports HDR?
To start using the Auto HDR feature on Windows 11/10, you need to make sure that your monitor supports HDR.
To know this, you can look at the below requirements and see if your monitor has similar specs or not:
Requirements for built-in displays:
- Processors like Intel 7th Generation or better.
- Integrated or discrete graphics with PlayReady support to play protected content.
- Your display must have 1920 x 1080 pixels (1080p) resolution or better.
- Your display must have 300 nits of brightness or better.
Requirements for external displays:
- Monitor with HDR10 support.
- It should have DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.0 or higher.
- DisplayHDR certification.
- Integrated or discrete graphics with PlayReady 3.0 support to play protected content.
- HEVC or VP9 codecs to decode 10-bit video.
- WDDM 2.4 or higher driver installed on Windows 11/10.
However, if you are unsure what specs your monitor has, you can try downloading and installing the DisplayHDR Test. This software allows you to confirm the display parameters like brightness, color, and contrast performance of high dynamic range or HDR laptop and desktop monitors.
How to Enable Auto HDR for Games on Windows 11/10 PC?
- At first, right-click on your desktop and go to Display Settings. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > System Display.
- Turn on Use HDR under Windows HD color Settings.
- Over here, you have to toggle on two options
- Use HDR
- Stream HDR
- Auto HDR
Finally, close the settings Window, and now every time you launch a PC game, it will automatically start with the Auto HDR feature.
However, if you find that the Use HDR and Auto HDR options are grayed out and not clickable or are missing, your monitor doesn’t support HDR. As a result, you won’t be able to use the feature.
When is the Audio HDR Feature coming to Windows 11/10?
Microsoft is rolling out the Auto HDR Feature to Windows 11/10 in the upcoming build. It is now available in Windows 11/10 Insider build, and the company is looking for gamers to test and give feedback.
If you want to enroll in Windows Insider Build, then follow the detailed guide here. However, make sure not to install it on your primary machine as it may not be stable enough for your work and gaming.
So that was a quick answer to your How to Enable Auto HDR for Games in Windows 11/10 PC. So go ahead and try checking out the steps and see if it works for you. Also, if you don’t get to see the Auto HDR Games Windows feature, then consider upgrading to the latest version of Windows or joining the Insider program.
