How to make taskbar smaller windows

Are you unable to get your taskbar down small enough in the latest version of Windows 10 or Windows 11? Here’s how you can make your Taskbar smaller!

Making the taskbar smaller on Windows 10 can help clear up more screen space and make it easier to work on different projects. A few simple steps need to be followed to make this change, and the user will be able to see the difference immediately.

Jump To:

1. How To Make the Taskbar Smaller on Windows 10
2. Unlock and Resize the Taskbar Manually
3. Make Taskbar Buttons Smaller To Reduce the Taskbar Size
4. Automatically Hide the Taskbar
5. Tips and Tricks for Customizing the Windows 10 Taskbar

Why Making the Taskbar Smaller Can Be Helpful

The taskbar is one of the most essential features of Windows 10. It allows you to see all of your open programs and access them quickly. You can also pin your favorite programs to the taskbar for easy access. By default, the taskbar is set to be relatively large. 

However, there are some benefits to making it smaller.

• One benefit of making the taskbar smaller is that it frees up more space on your screen. This can be especially helpful if you have a small monitor or use many programs simultaneously. A smaller taskbar gives you more room to view your open programs and windows.
• Another benefit of making the taskbar smaller is that it makes it easier to see what’s behind it. For example, if you’re working on a document in Microsoft Word and you need to reference something in another program, you can more easily see that program if the taskbar is smaller. With a larger taskbar, that program may be hidden behind the taskbar.
• A third benefit of making the taskbar smaller is that it can make your mouse pointer easier to find. Your mouse pointer can get lost in the sea of icons when the taskbar is large. A smaller taskbar means a smaller area for your mouse pointer to hide in.
• Lastly, making the taskbar smaller can make clicking on icons and buttons easier. You may accidentally click on the wrong icon or button if the taskbar is too large. A smaller taskbar means that there’s less area for you to click on by mistake.

Now that we’ve taken a look at why you might want to resize the Windows 10 taskbar to a smaller size, let’s take a look at how to do it.

How To Make the Taskbar Smaller on Windows 10

By default, the taskbar is located at the bottom of the screen and provides quick access to your applications, files, and settings. The taskbar can also be customized to display more or less information. It can even be moved to different locations on the screen.

If you find that the taskbar is taking up too much space on your screen, you can easily adjust the taskbar size:

1. Right-click the taskbar.
2. Chose Taskbar settings. 
3. Locate the ‘Use small taskbar buttons’ option from the right pane.
4. Select the button next to it. That’s it.

Once you’ve done this, the taskbar will immediately become noticeably smaller.

Let’s look at these methods in detail below:

1. Unlock and Resize the Taskbar Manually

The quick way:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Lock the taskbar.
2. Click and hold the top of the taskbar.
3. Drag the mouse up and down to resize the taskbar.

The taskbar is one of the most important elements of the Windows 10 user interface. By default, it is located at the bottom of the screen and contains the Start button, taskbar buttons, notification area, and clock. However, you can manually unlock and resize the taskbar to change its size, position, and other settings.

To unlock the taskbar, simply right-click on it and select Lock the taskbar from the context menu if it has a checkmark symbol next to it. This will allow you to move it around on the screen and change its size.

To resize the taskbar, click and drag on one of its edges. You can also change its orientation by dragging it to the left or right side, or even to the top of the screen!

2. Make Taskbar Buttons Smaller To Reduce the Taskbar Size

Another way to reduce clutter on your computer screen is to make the taskbar icons smaller. This will keep your screen looking clean and reduce the taskbar’s size.

1. Choose Taskbar settings after doing a right-click on the taskbar.
   
   
2. Click on the button next to the Use small taskbar buttons option after finding it in the right-side pane. The taskbar will shrink in size right away as the icons adjust to a smaller size.
   
   

You can always revert this by unchecking the small icons option.

3. Automatically Hide the Taskbar

Of course, the most effective way to reduce your taskbar’s size is to make it disappear. Windows 10 has a built-in feature that automatically hides the taskbar unless you’re hovering over it in desktop mode.

Just right-click on your taskbar and choose Taskbar settings from the context menu that pops up, as seen in the previous section. When you’re in the Settings window, toggle the Automatically hide the taskbar in the desktop mode setting. 

When you hover the mouse over where the taskbar is supposed to be (on the bottom of your screen by default), it will show up. However, it’ll stay out of the way otherwise. 

Tips and Tricks for Customizing the Windows 10 Taskbar

The taskbar is one of the most important features of Windows 10. It provides a quick and easy way to access your apps and files and can be customized to suit your needs. Here are some tips and tricks for making the most of your taskbar:

1. If you want to pin an app to the taskbar, simply right-click on the app icon and select Pin to taskbar.
2. You can also create shortcuts to your favorite apps by dragging them from the Start menu onto the taskbar.
3. To change the color of your taskbar, go to Settings > Personalization > Colors. Here you can choose from various preset colors or create your own custom color scheme.
4. The taskbar can also be customized to show different information. For example, you can add a clock, weather forecast, or battery level indicator. To do this, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and select the Turn System Icons On or Off option.
5. You can add a taskbar to multiple monitors in Windows 10. To do this, go to Settings > Display > Multiple Displays and select the Show taskbar on all displays option.
6. If you want to move the taskbar to a different location on the screen, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and select the Lock the taskbar option. Once the taskbar is unlocked, you can click and drag it to a new position.

These are just a few of the many ways you can customize the Windows 10 taskbar to suit your needs. Taking advantage of these tips and tricks can make your taskbar work better for you.

Conclusion

The Windows 10 taskbar is essential to your system and can be customized to suit your needs. By following the tips in this article, you should be able to size it down so that it takes up less space on your screen.

If you’re looking to customize your Windows 10 taskbar even further, be sure to read our other articles on the Softwarekeep Blog. We have a variety of tips and tricks that will help you get the most out of your system. And if you still have questions after reading this article, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help.

Our team is more than happy to assist you with all your tech needs. Thanks for reading!

One More Thing

Looking for more tips? Check out our other guides in our Help Center for a wealth of information on how to troubleshoot various issues and find solutions to your tech problems.

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Recommended Articles

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Feel free to reach out with questions or requests you’d like us to cover.

One of the biggest changes in Windows 11 is the taskbar. You’ll notice that your taskbar icons are now centered and there isn’t a “small icons” or “labels” option to shrink them down. Not to fear, though – today we’re going to show you how to make taskbar icons bigger or smaller in Windows 11 using a handy registry hack.

Taskbar too big or small? Here is how to change Windows 11 taskbar icon size

First, you should know that Windows 11 taskbar icons come in three sizes: small, medium, or large. Medium is the default size, so you have room to maneuver whether your taskbar is too big or too small.

However, it’s worth noting that the changes between sizes are quite dramatic and these adjustments could cause some overlap between certain UI elements. This will also change taskbar size overall, as it will shrink or grow to match the icon size.

The good thing is that once we show you how to change the taskbar icon size in Windows 11, you’ll be able to switch between different sizes whenever you like. You only need to log in and out or restart the Explorer process for the changes to apply. Here’s how to modify your registry to make the change:

How to Quickly Change Taskbar Icon Size in Windows 11 via a .bat file

How to Restart the Explorer Process in Windows

You can save yourself from restarting or logging in and out for a change like this by restarting Explorer.exe instead. You can read our How to Restart Explorer.exe guide to learn how to do this in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

How to Restore the Old File Explorer Ribbon in Windows 11

While you’re at it, you may want to return your File Explorer ribbon back to how it was in Windows 10, too. You can do so by following our in-depth restore old File Explorer ribbon guide.

How to Restore the Old Windows 10 Volume Mizer in Windows 11

To make your taskbar even more useful, you can follow our tutorial on how to restore the old Windows 10 volume mixer in Windows 11. This way, you’ll be able to change the loudness of individual apps with ease.

To adjust the taskbar size on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar. This will bring up a menu.

2. From the menu, select «Taskbar settings.» This will open the Taskbar settings page in the Windows Settings app.

3. On the Taskbar settings page, scroll down to the «Taskbar behaviors» section.

4. In the «Taskbar behaviors» section, find the «Taskbar alignment» option. By default, it is set to «Center.» Click on it to open the alignment options.

5. In the alignment options, select either «Left,» «Center,» or «Right» to align the taskbar in the desired position on your screen.

6. After selecting the desired alignment, go back to the «Taskbar behaviors» section.

7. Look for the «Taskbar size» option and click on it. This will open the taskbar size options.

8. In the taskbar size options, there are three size settings available – small, medium, and large. Choose the size that suits your preference and click on it.

9. The taskbar will instantly adjust to the selected size. You can now close the Taskbar settings page.

10. If you want to further customize the taskbar, you can also explore other options on the Taskbar settings page, such as rearranging or pinning items, enabling or disabling system icons, and more.

Remember that these instructions are specific to Windows 11, and the steps may vary slightly in earlier versions of Windows, such as Windows 10 or Windows 8.

Video Tutorial:How do I resize my Taskbar size?

How do I change the Taskbar size in Windows 11 2023?

To change the Taskbar size in Windows 11 2023, you can follow these steps:

1. Right-click on an empty space on the Taskbar. This will open a context menu.
2. Hover your mouse over the «Taskbar settings» option and click on it. This will open the Taskbar settings window.
3. In the Taskbar settings, you will find various customization options. Scroll down until you see the «Size» section.
4. Under the «Size» section, you will notice a slider labeled «Taskbar alignment.» Slide this to the right or left to adjust the taskbar size according to your preference.
5. As you adjust the size, the Taskbar will dynamically change to reflect the modifications you make. You can continue adjusting until you are satisfied with the size.
6. Additionally, you can utilize the «Use small taskbar buttons» toggle switch located above the size slider to further shrink the icons on the Taskbar if desired.
7. After making the desired changes, simply close the Taskbar settings window.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to easily change the Taskbar size in Windows 11 2023.

How do I change the Taskbar settings in Windows 11?

To change the Taskbar settings in Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Taskbar: Hover your mouse over the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen, then right-click on it. This will open a context menu with various options.

2. Choose «Taskbar settings«: From the context menu, select the «Taskbar settings» option. This will open the Taskbar settings page in the Windows Settings app.

3. Customize the Taskbar behaviors: On the Taskbar settings page, you can find different options to customize the behavior of the Taskbar. Here are some key settings you can modify:

– Taskbar alignment: You can choose whether you want the Taskbar to be aligned to the bottom, left, or right side of the screen.

– Taskbar behavior: You can adjust options related to automatically hiding the Taskbar, such as «Automatically hide the Taskbar in desktop mode» or «Automatically hide the Taskbar in tablet mode.«

– Taskbar buttons: You can change the way Taskbar buttons behave, like combining them or showing labels for open windows.

– System icons: You can decide which system icons (like volume or network) are displayed on the Taskbar.

– Notification area: There are options to customize the behavior of the notification area, including choosing which icons are shown or adjusting the number of notifications visible before «Show more» appears.

4. Customize Taskbar appearance: You can also personalize the Taskbar’s appearance by selecting «Taskbar» from the left-hand navigation menu in the Taskbar settings page. This allows you to change the Taskbar style, color, transparency, and more.

5. Additional options: In the Taskbar settings page, you may find other options like managing virtual desktops or enabling/disabling badges for pinned apps.

6. Apply your changes: Once you’ve made the desired adjustments, your changes will be applied automatically. You can close the Taskbar settings page and observe the modified Taskbar behavior.

Remember that Windows 11 is a dynamic operating system, and future updates may introduce new Taskbar-related settings or changes. Stay up to date with the latest news and official documentation from Microsoft to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding Taskbar customization in Windows 11.

Why is the Windows 11 taskbar so big?

The Windows 11 taskbar has a larger size compared to previous versions of Windows, and there are a few reasons behind this design choice.

1. Increased Touchscreen-Friendly Interface: Windows 11 introduces a more touch-centric design, optimizing the user experience for touchscreen devices. The enlarged taskbar provides more surface area for touch interactions, making it easier to interact with app icons and access various features.

2. Improved Accessibility: Microsoft aims to enhance accessibility across its products. The larger taskbar icons in Windows 11 make it more visually distinguishable and easier to interact with for users with visual impairments or those who struggle with precise mouse movements.

3. Streamlined Workflow and Integration: Windows 11 emphasizes productivity and multitasking. The expanded taskbar allows for better integration with the new features like Snap Layouts and Snap Groups. These features enable users to manage and organize their windows more efficiently, ultimately improving productivity.

4. Centered Alignment and Aesthetic Appeal: The centered alignment of the Windows 11 taskbar provides a more modern and visually balanced look. It gives the operating system a fresh, streamlined appearance, which aligns with Microsoft’s design philosophy and strives to create a more visually appealing interface.

5. Consistency with Other Operating Systems: The larger taskbar aligns Windows 11 with the design approach of other operating systems, such as macOS, which also features a prominent dock. This consistency across platforms allows for a more cohesive and familiar user experience for those who switch between different operating systems.

Overall, the larger size of the Windows 11 taskbar serves multiple purposes from enhancing touch interaction to improving productivity and aesthetics.

Why is my taskbar so big all of a sudden?

There can be several reasons why your taskbar suddenly appears larger. Here are some possible causes and steps to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Resolution settings: Check if the screen resolution has changed. Right-click on your desktop and select «Display settings.» Make sure the resolution is set to the recommended value for your monitor. If it’s set too low, it can cause the taskbar to appear larger.

2. Scaling settings: Sometimes, changing scaling options can affect the size of the taskbar. To adjust scaling settings, right-click on your desktop and select «Display settings.» Scroll down to the «Scale and layout» section and try adjusting the slider to a different value.

3. Taskbar settings: A change in taskbar settings can also cause it to appear larger. Right-click on an empty space on your taskbar and select «Taskbar settings.» Check if the «Use small taskbar buttons» option is enabled. If not, toggle it on to reduce the size of the taskbar.

4. Touchscreen mode: If you have a touchscreen device, it’s possible that accidentally enabling tablet mode can affect the taskbar size. Press the Windows key + A to open the Action Center and make sure tablet mode is turned off.

5. Malware or display drivers: In rare cases, malware or outdated display drivers can cause UI issues, including a larger taskbar. Run a scan using reputable antivirus software to check for any malware. Additionally, update your display drivers to the latest version from the manufacturer’s website.

6. Restart your computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches or conflicts that may be causing the taskbar to appear larger.

By considering these potential causes and troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue with your suddenly enlarged taskbar.

How do I change my taskbar to classic view in Windows 11?

To change your taskbar to the classic view in Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar.
2. From the context menu that appears, select «Taskbar settings.«
3. In the Taskbar settings window, scroll down and find the section labeled «Taskbar behaviors.«
4. Click on the drop-down menu next to «Taskbar alignment.«
5. Select «Left» or «Top» from the options available. This will move the taskbar to the left or top of the screen, respectively, which is closer to the classic view.
6. Scroll up to the section labeled «Taskbar appearance.«
7. Find the option for «Use small taskbar buttons» and toggle it to the on position.
8. Additionally, if you prefer the classic taskbar size, disable the «Show badges on taskbar buttons» option.
9. Lastly, you can customize the system tray area by using the «Turn system icons on or off» option.

Following these steps will help you achieve a more classic look and feel with the taskbar in Windows 11.

Why is Windows 11 Taskbar so big?

The Windows 11 Taskbar has undergone a significant redesign compared to previous versions of Windows. The bigger size of the Taskbar in Windows 11 serves several purposes:

1. Enhanced touch and tablet experience: Microsoft has aimed to make Windows 11 more touch-friendly, especially with the increasing popularity of 2-in-1 devices like tablets. The larger icons and spacing on the Taskbar make it easier to tap or select items using touch gestures.

2. Ease of use for beginners: The larger Taskbar icons in Windows 11 can be advantageous for new users who may not be familiar with the operating system. The increased visibility and size make it simpler for them to navigate and access frequently used apps.

3. Emphasis on quick access: Windows 11 focuses on improving productivity and efficiency. The expanded Taskbar allows for more icons to be pinned, granting users quick access to their most-used applications without having to search through menus or the Start menu.

4. Accommodating new features: Windows 11 introduces new features like Snap Layouts and Snap Groups, which promote multitasking and organizing windows. The larger Taskbar provides additional space for these features, making it easier to manage multiple windows simultaneously.

5. Aesthetic considerations: The Taskbar in Windows 11 has been designed to have a more centered layout, providing a modern and visually appealing look. The increased size helps balance the visual design and aligns with Microsoft’s new design language.

Overall, the larger size of the Taskbar in Windows 11 combines functional and aesthetic choices, aiming to enhance touch interaction, improve usability for beginners, enable quick app access, accommodate new features, and create a visually pleasing user interface.

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They often describe the taskbar as not having enough room for everything they want to put on it. From Windows 95 to Windows 10, they’ve always been able to drag to move the taskbar to add another level.
Windows 11’s taskbar lacks any built-in settings to adjust its size. You can’t expand the taskbar by dragging it with the cursor as you can in Windows 10. Nor are there any taskbar options in Settings that enable users to resize it.
However, you can still change the taskbar size to some extent by tweaking the registry. Furthermore, adjusting Windows 11’s scaling settings will also change the taskbar’s scale.

How has the taskbar changed in Windows 11?

The Windows 11 taskbar’s centralized icons are the most obvious change from its predecessors. In previous platforms, icons ran from left to right along the taskbar. All the Windows 11 taskbar shortcuts are positioned from the center.
The centralized icons give Windows 11’s taskbar (and the overall desktop) a new look. Yet, it’s debatable whether centralized icons genuinely enhance the taskbar.
Some users might notice a new widget icon on the taskbar. Clicking that button opens Windows 11’s new widgets feature. This seems to be a bit of a throwback to the gadget sidebar from Windows Vista.
There’s also a Snap Group feature that enables you to set up snap layouts for grouped app windows. The Windows 11 taskbar displays thumbnail previews for Snap Group layouts users can click to open.
As mentioned, some have lamented what the new taskbar has lost. The resize functionality is one thing missing. Furthermore, users can’t drag-and-drop shortcuts onto the taskbar to add them there.
Others might also notice that the right-click menu for the Windows 11 taskbar only includes a Taskbar settings shortcut.
Windows 10 options for locking the taskbar, opening Task Manager, adding toolbars, and configuring buttons are all missing now.
Therefore, the revamped taskbar in Windows 11 has disappointed some early users. However, those have only seen pre-release versions of the platform. Microsoft might restore missing Windows 10 taskbar features in post-release builds.
We will present two easy methods to adjust the size of your taskbar on your device. You can resize the taskbar by modifying the DWORD value in Registry Editor or adjusting scaling options.

How can I easily resize Windows 11’s taskbar?

1. Use the Registry Editor

1. First, click the taskbar’s magnifying glass button.
2. Type regedit in the search utility’s text box.
3. Select the first result to open the Registry Editor tool.
4. Next, open this key within the Registry Editor window: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

1. Right-click on the Advanced option and then select New.

2. Choose DWORD (32-bit Value) from the context menu that has just opened.
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3. Enter TaskbarSi to be the new DWORD’s title.

4. Next, double-click on TaskbarSi to bring up the window in the screenshot directly below.

5. Then input either 0 (for small taskbar) or 2 (big taskbar) within the Value data box.

6. After you make your selection, click the OK option on the Edit DWORD window.

7. Thereafter, restart your PC.

You can easily adjust the taskbar size on your Windows 11 device using the built-in Registry Editor tool.
Through it, you can set a small or a big taskbar by editing the DWORD value. The result will be a Windows 11 small taskbar.

2. Adjust the scaling settings

If you were wondering how to make taskbar smaller in Windows 11, changing the Scaling settings is an effective trick. And the best part, this will also change Windows 11 taskbar icon size.

How else can I customize Windows 11’s taskbar?

Most taskbar options can be found within Settings. The quick way to open those options is to right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings to bring up the window that you can see below:
Click Taskbar items there to expand the options for toggling items on-off. There you can select to remove Windows 11’s feature buttons from the taskbar. 
Below that, you can click both Taskbar corners icons and Taskbar corner overflow options categories. Those settings enable you to toggle the taskbar corner icons on and off. 
If you want to restore the left icon taskbar alignment from the previous OS, click Taskbar behaviors. Then click the Taskbar alignments drop-down menu to select Left. 
Even though the current Windows 11 taskbar may not be to everybody’s liking, you’ve still got to make the most of it. Try to change the taskbar size in Windows 11 to better suit your preferences with the above settings and methods. 
Windows Insiders can, of course, give Microsoft some feedback about the state of Windows 11’s taskbar. If you’re not impressed, let Microsoft know via the Feedback Hub. You can even make suggestions for new taskbar features there. 
And in case someone told you about a Windows 11 small taskbar bug, you now know how to change the taskbar size. Don’t forget that you can easily pin the Recycle Bin to your Windows 11 taskbar too.
For more customization options, read our article on how to make the taskbar transparent on Windows 11. Also, find out how to change taskbar position in Windows 11.
Let’s hope Microsoft restores the taskbar resize feature in future Windows 11 post-release versions. Until that happens, you can resize the taskbar and get a small taskbar icon in Windows 11 with the methods above.

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