How to Fix Zoomed ActiveX Settings in SharePoint Designer 2007
Question details
The user needs to resolve an interface display issue where the ActiveX settings screen appears too large to navigate properly.

- Product
- SharePoint Designer 2007
- Device & OS
- Windows 11
- Scenario
- Accessing the ActiveX settings menu within an obsolete application on a modern operating system.
- Observed behavior
- The ActiveX settings screen is excessively zoomed in, rendering the application interface difficult or impossible to use on Windows 11 displays.
Save any open projects and completely close SharePoint Designer 2007 before modifying your system's display or compatibility settings.
Adjust Windows Display Resolution and Scaling
Modify your system-wide display settings in Windows 11 to help the legacy application render its interface at an appropriate size.
Because SharePoint Designer 2007 is an obsolete application, it lacks native support for modern high-DPI displays. Lowering the system scale to a standard 100% can often bypass the zooming issue.
Right-click on an empty space on your Windows desktop and select 'Display settings' from the context menu.
Scroll down to the 'Scale & layout' section and click the drop-down menu next to 'Scale'. Change the value to '100%'.
If scaling alone does not work, try selecting a slightly lower 'Display resolution' from the menu below the scale settings.
Relaunch SharePoint Designer 2007 and navigate back to the ActiveX settings screen to verify if the interface is now displaying correctly.

Override High DPI Scaling Behavior
Use Windows Compatibility mode to force the operating system to handle DPI scaling for this specific application without altering your global Windows settings.
Upgrade to a Modern, Fully Supported Office Suite
Legacy applications like SharePoint Designer 2007 struggle with modern operating systems and high-resolution displays. Avoid compatibility issues by upgrading to WPS Office, a highly compatible, modern alternative to Microsoft Office that natively supports Windows 11 display scaling.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install the suite.
- 3. Open Existing Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office files without worrying about formatting or display glitches.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint Designer 2007 look zoomed in on Windows 11?
SharePoint Designer 2007 is an obsolete application built before modern high-DPI displays existed. It lacks the built-in capability to scale its user interface correctly on Windows 10 and Windows 11, causing menus like the ActiveX settings to appear excessively zoomed.
Should I downgrade my operating system to fix this scaling issue?
No. Downgrading to an unsupported operating system (such as Windows 7 or Windows XP) just to run a legacy application is highly discouraged, as it exposes your computer to significant security risks and vulnerabilities.
Will changing my display scaling to 100% affect other applications?
Yes, changing your system-wide display scaling to 100% will make text, icons, and apps appear smaller across the entirety of Windows 11. If this makes your modern apps hard to read, try using the application-specific High DPI Compatibility settings instead.
Is there a modern version of SharePoint Designer I can use?
Microsoft officially discontinued the SharePoint Designer product line, with SharePoint Designer 2013 being the final release. Users are encouraged to transition to modern web development tools and newer Microsoft Power Platform alternatives.




