Free Smart HDR Manager switches Windows HDR for you

Windows has supported HDR for years, but it still expects you to switch it on and off yourself, through Settings or the Win + Alt + B shortcut. A developer tired of doing that has built Smart HDR Manager, a free tray app that does it automatically, Neowin reports. The latest beta, 2.5.1, adds several requested features.

What it does

The app sits in the system tray and enables Windows HDR only when something needs it, then switches back to SDR when it closes. According to Neowin and VideoCardz, it can:

• scan game libraries from Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Xbox, Ubisoft Connect, EA app and Rockstar Games Launcher, and let you pick which games trigger HDR (other programs can be added by hand);
• add delays for games that flicker or crash while the display mode changes;
• detect HDR playback in VLC, mpv, MPC-HC, MPC-BE and PotPlayer, and on YouTube through a bundled Tampermonkey userscript that only reacts to real HDR streams;
• work with Nvidia RTX Video HDR, which converts SDR video to HDR on GeForce RTX cards (you enable it in the Nvidia App).

Version 2.5.1 adds Launch with HDR, which turns HDR on before a game starts, for games that only offer HDR settings if Windows HDR is already active. It also adds a Videos tab that enables HDR before a player opens, an option to keep HDR off while OBS is running, and better game detection.

The developer, known as VantaCode420 (manfredss on Reddit), says much of the code was written with help from Anthropic's Claude. The project is open source under the MIT licence.

Does it really prevent OLED burn-in?

That's the headline claim, and it needs context. OLED pixels make their own light and wear unevenly over time, so static elements such as the taskbar or a game HUD can leave permanent marks. Running the desktop in SDR instead of HDR all day reduces unnecessary high-brightness use, but it is not a guarantee. Neowin notes that panel wear depends on brightness, usage habits and how long static content stays on screen. Built-in panel features such as pixel shifting and logo dimming still matter. Our gaming monitor guide covers what to look for in an OLED.

If you are building or upgrading a PC for gaming, see also our guide on how much RAM you need.