Can You Make Taskbar Icons Smaller in Windows 11?

You want those taskbar icons in Windows 11 to be a bit smaller? I get it; they\’re taking up too much space. Now, it’s not as easy as it was in Windows 10, where you could just flip a switch, but don’t worry, there are still ways to get it done. Here’s how you can tackle this:

First off, you can fiddle with the Registry Editor. Yeah, it sounds a bit techy, but I promise, it’s doable:

1. Hit the Win key + S and type “Registry Editor.”
2. Navigate to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced.
3. In the Advanced spot, right-click to create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value called “TaskbarSi.” If it\’s there already, just edit it.
4. Double-click “TaskbarSi” and put in the magic number: 0 for small icons. Medium is 1, and 2 means big!
5. Now, restart Windows Explorer—just open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find “Windows Explorer” under the Processes tab, give it a right-click, and hit “Restart.”

This little tweak usually does the trick for those of us who like to tinker under the hood, but yeah, you’ll need a restart to see the change.

Not keen on poking around in the registry? No worries, you can adjust your display settings:

1. Right-click your desktop, then choose “Display Settings.”
2. In “Scale & layout,” lower your scaling percentage. If you\’re at 125%, bring it down to 100%. This shortens everything down, including the taskbar icons.
3. If things get a bit tiny for your liking, hop over to Accessibility (via Settings > Accessibility) and bump up the text size to save your eyes.

This method sneaks around the direct route and changes things up by tweaking your display settings.

Oh, and before you go rogue with third-party tools, make sure they\’re legit and safe. You don’t want to end up with a system bug. Better safe than sorry, right?

So, even though they took away the old option, with a bit of know-how, you can still get those icons just how you want ‘em in Windows 11.

If you\’re looking to shrink those taskbar icons in Windows 11, I\’ve got your back. Microsoft\’s modern touch-friendly design might look sleek, but it doesn’t leave a ton of room for tweaking things to your liking, especially if you\’re dealing with a smaller screen.

So, how can you make taskbar icons smaller? Let\’s dive into it!

• Tweak the Registry (The Go-To Move):

  Here\’s where most folks head first. It’s a bit of a deep dive into your system but hang in there:

  • Fire up Registry Editor using Win+R, type in regedit.
  • Navigate through: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced.
  • Make a new 32-bit DWORD called TaskbarSi.
  • Set that to: 0 for small (that\’s what we\’re here for!), 1 for medium (boring default), or 2 for large.
  • After that, either restart Explorer via Task Manager or give your computer a quick reboot.

  Why It Works: Basically, that TaskbarSi key tweaks how everything is laid out on your screen. Setting it to 0 was actually made for tablets, but lucky us, it works just as well for trimming things down.

• Go the App Route (If You\’re Not Feeling the Registry Scene):
  • Windows 11 Fixer lets you adjust settings with a neat little interface. It’s super handy if you don’t like getting into the system guts.
  • StartAllBack brings back the good old days. You get sliders to play with icon sizes and plenty more customization options.
• Play with Display Scaling:

  This won’t directly shrink icons but adjusting scale (Settings → System → Display → Scale) can make everything look a bit more compact. Aim for around 110-125%. Just note, this changes all display elements, not just the taskbar.

Okay, what could go wrong and how do you fix it?

• Registry tweaks not sticking? Your system might be trapping some old cache. Hit up taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer to clear it up.
• Only seeing a partial shrink? Windows has some touch-optimized settings that might be butting heads with your changes. Head over to Settings → Personalization → Taskbar and turn off \”Optimize for touch.\”
• Icon alignment feeling off? If you messed with DPI settings, resize your icons with TaskbarSi set at 0 and keep that scaling in check at 125% or lower.

Post-Tweak Heads Up:

• When you shift those icons, your pinned apps might jolt around a bit, so keep an eye on that.
• Third-party widgets sometimes act up and show weird relics.
• Context menus could get a bit squished and cramped, particularly in compact mode.

For anyone out there managing multiple systems, you can roll these settings out company-wide with Group Policy Preferences and target that Advanced registry key. Fair warning though, it’s always a bit of a gamble on what future updates from Microsoft will do with that little registry trick.

And there we have it, folks! That\’s the lowdown on getting those taskbar icons to play nice with your setup in Windows 11.

So, you’re looking to shrink those taskbar icons in Windows 11. You’ve got a couple of ways to tackle this:

1. Registry Tweaks:
   • Hit Win + R to pop open the Run box.
   • Type regedit and slam Enter.
   • Head over to this location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.
   • Right-click on the right space and go for New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
   • Label the new DWORD as TaskbarSi.
   • Double-click that bad boy and choose its size:
     • 0 for small icons
     • 1 for medium icons (keeping it as is)
     • 2 for those giant icons
   • Hit OK and then you’ll need to restart your computer to see the magic happen.
2. Third-Party Options: Feeling adventurous? There are some apps out there that can help you mess around with taskbar settings. Just a tip—grab ’em from trusted sources to keep things safe.

A heads up: diving into the registry is a bit like walking a tightrope—exciting but risky. Always back it up before you make any changes. And if you want more tips or need help, places like Microsoft’s support or tech forums are great hangs.