On Windows 11, the default display orientation is the landscape (horizontal) mode since it allows us to better use the space left to right, but depending on the content, sometimes it makes more sense to change the orientation to portrait (vertical) mode on the computer.

Typically, you would want to rotate the screen when you want to dedicate an external monitor for an app to view its content vertically, such as when coding or using social media platforms.

Whatever the reason it might be, Windows 11 has a setting to change the display orientation from landscape to portrait.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to change the screen orientation on Windows 11.

How to rotate screen on Windows 11

To change the display orientation on Windows 11, use these steps:

  • Open Settings.
  • Click on System.
  • Click the Display tab.
  • Under the “Scale & layout” section, select the screen orientation with the “Display orientation” setting:
  • Landscape – rotates the screen 180 degrees.
  • Portrait – rotates the screen 90 degrees.
  • Landscape (flipped) – changes the orientation from vertically to horizontally, but also flips the view.
  • Portrait (flipped) – changes the orientation from horizontally to vertically, but also flips the view.

Once you complete the steps, you can start using the device in the desired orientation. If the option is grayed out, the device doesn’t support the feature or there’s a problem with the video driver.

Open Settings.

Click on System.

Click the Display tab.

Under the “Scale & layout” section, select the screen orientation with the “Display orientation” setting:

  • Landscape – rotates the screen 180 degrees.
  • Portrait – rotates the screen 90 degrees.
  • Landscape (flipped) – changes the orientation from vertically to horizontally, but also flips the view.
  • Portrait (flipped) – changes the orientation from horizontally to vertically, but also flips the view.

These instructions are meant for desktops with external monitors. If you have a tablet, rotating the device should change its orientation automatically. If this isn’t the case, you may have turned on the option to lock rotation. You can disable “Rotation lock” from the Quick Settings flyout using the Windows key + A keyboard shortcut or from the “Display” settings page.