Taskbar clock (time & date) on non-primary monitors always uses thin text


zipityzi

Well-known member
Local time
3:08 AM
Posts
4
OS
Windows 11 Pro
The problem: on whichever monitor is primary, the clock text is displayed normally with normal width font. However, on whichever monitors are not-primary, the clock text is displayed with a thin typeface.

The thin typeface is just a bit tough to read, particularly on the farthest corners of the displays.

Reproduction:
  1. Have two, or more, monitors.
  2. AFAIK, that's it.
I've had this problem since the first build of Microsoft allowing Windows 11's clock on multi-monitor taskbars.

Earliest reproduction build: 22000.527
Current reproduction build: 22621.1992

Examples:
Monitor A (set as primary):
2023-07-25_15-52-36.png

Monitor B (set as primary):
2023-07-25_15-54-32.png

Monitor C (set as primary):
2023-07-25_16-02-32.png

See how the text is bolder / thicker above, no matter which monitor is primary? But when those same monitors are non-primary monitors, the clock text goes thin!

Monitor A (set as not-primary):
2023-07-25_15-53-02.png

Monitor B (set as not-primary):
2023-07-25_15-54-44.png

Monitor C (set as not-primary):
2023-07-25_16-02-04.png

What I've already tried:
  1. Enable ClearType.
  2. Run the ClearType wizard on each monitor.
  3. Switch which monitors are primary / secondary (see above).
  4. Change GPUs (reproduces on both Intel iGPU & AMD dGPU).
  5. Upgrade GPU drivers (reproduces on all current drivers).
  6. Disable FreeSync. Enable Free Sync. Reproduces either way.
  7. Change cables (reproduces on both HDMI vs DisplayPort).
What is special about the primary monitor? Does it have some special font rendering that secondary monitors don't get? I did not ever observe this problem on Windows 10, but this PC has not yet had Windows 10 for a very long time.

Am I forced to try Elevenclock or is there a way to get the integrated clock's text to remain appropriately thick on all monitors at all times?

Specifications:
Monitor A: Lenovo G24qe-20, 2560x1440 @ 100 Hz; 225% DPI
Monitor B: Lenovo L24q-30, 2560x1440 @ 75 Hz; 225% DPI
Monitor C: ASUS VP349CGL, 3440x1440 @ 100 Hz; 225% DPI

Intel i7-12700K | ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 push/pull + MX-6 | ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-I GAMING WIFI | 32 GB DDR5-6400 32-39-39-102 @ 1.4V | XFX MERC319 6950 XT 16 GB | 2 TB Samsung 990 PRO | 1 TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus | Meshify 2 RGB White (9x 140mm fans) | FSP Hydro PTM 850W | Windows 11 Pro x64

Drivers:
AMD dGPU driver: 23.7.1 (aka 31.0.21001.45002 in Device Manager)
Intel iGPU driver: 31.0.101.3302
 
Windows Build/Version
22621.1992

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Proi7-12700K32GB (2x16GB) G.Skill Ripjaws S5 / DDR5-6400 ...XFX Speedster MERC 319 AMD RX 6950XT
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
DIY
CPU
i7-12700K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-I GAMING WIFI
Memory
32GB (2x16GB) G.Skill Ripjaws S5 / DDR5-6400 (32-39-39-102)
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Speedster MERC 319 AMD RX 6950XT
Sound Card
n/a
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS VP349CGL + Lenovo G24qe-20 + Lenovo L24q-30
Screen Resolution
3440 x 1440 + 2x 2560 x 1440
Hard Drives
2x 2TB Samsung 990 PRO
PSU
FSP Hydro PTM Pro 850W (HPT2-850M)
Case
Fractal Meshify 2 RGB
Cooling
Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer II 280mm + MX-6
Keyboard
Mountain Everest
Mouse
Razer Deathadder V3
Internet Speed
1000 Mbps down / 35 Mbps up
Browser
Microsoft Edge
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender
Other Info
All frequencies stock, except XMP II (MemTest86+ passed)

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