Reducing the size of the taskbar in Windows 11 can make your desktop look less cluttered and potentially even give you a bit more usable space. It’s not exactly obvious how to do it with the standard settings, but it’s doable via the Registry. Kind of weird, but sometimes this is the only way to really customize it beyond what’s offered in the UI. When everything’s set up, your taskbar should shrink down, making your workspace feel a lot cleaner. Plus, it might help you focus or just look more streamlined — whatever floats your boat.
How to Reduce Taskbar Size in Windows 11
Here’s what worked for me. No fancy third-party tools or anything, just some registry editing. It’s a bit nerve-wracking at first, because Windows registry isn’t exactly user-friendly, but follow the steps carefully. If you mess up, just restart and revert your change. Expect the taskbar to get noticeably smaller, which makes everything look less busy. On some different setups, it might take a reboot to see the change, and sometimes, it doesn’t work on the first try. But hey, it’s worth a shot.
Open the Registry Editor
- Press Windows Key + R to bring up the Run box.
- Type in
regeditand press Enter. Confirm any prompts asking for permission.
The Registry Editor isn’t something you want to open casually, but in this case, it’s necessary. Be cautious — a wrong move here can cause more problems than you bargained for. Always back up your registry beforehand just in case; it’s as simple as going to File > Export and saving a backup file. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Navigate to the Taskbar Registry Key
- In the Registry Editor, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced. You can do this by expanding folders on the left side.
This folder contains a bunch of settings for Windows Explorer and taskbar tweaks. On some machines, the path might be slightly different if there have been customizations or updates, but generally, this is the place you’re after.
Create a New DWORD Value
- Right-click anywhere in the blank space on the right pane.
- Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it
TaskbarSi.
This registry value controls the size of your taskbar icons, and changing its value adjusts the overall size. It’s kind of weird that this isn’t more straightforward, but that’s Windows for you.
Modify the Value Data
- Double-click the
TaskbarSientry you just made. - Set the Value Data to
0and hit OK.
Setting it to 0 basically shrinks everything down to the smallest size. If you want a medium size, use 1. Larger icons? Yeah, set it to 2. Sometimes, on some setups, it’s a bit trial and error to get what looks best. Not sure why it works, but on some machines, the change is instant after a reboot — on others, gotta log out or restart.
Restart Your Computer
- Save any work, then restart your PC for the changes to kick in.
That’s the final step — restart to see the magic happen. Expect the taskbar to be noticeably smaller when you log back in. Sometimes, it takes a minute to fully apply, and yeah, sometimes a second reboot helps. If nothing’s changed at first, try a quick log-off and back on or reboot again. It’s a bit janky, but it works.
So, that’s pretty much it. The main thing is to be cautious and keep a backup, because messing around in the registry can cause issues if you go off the rails. But overall, it’s a straightforward way to clean up your desktop and make room for more apps or just a nicer look.
Tips for Reducing Taskbar Size in Windows 11
- Always back up your registry before tweaking — just in case you want to undo it.
- Play around with different values in
TaskbarSi— 0 for small, 1 for medium, 2 for large. - Keep Windows updated; sometimes these registry tweaks break after major updates, so recheck after an update.
- Don’t go edit crazy — wrong registry changes can mess things up.
- Think about your screen size — on big monitors, a smaller taskbar really makes the workspace feel more open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I revert the taskbar size back to default?
Sure, just set TaskbarSi back to 1, save, and restart. Easy peasy.
What if I don’t see any change?
Make sure you restart your PC after making the change. Sometimes it’s just a matter of waiting or trying again.
Is messing with the Registry safe?
Generally, yes — if you follow instructions carefully. But if you’re hesitant, create a registry backup before messing around. Yeah, Windows registry is not the friendliest place.
Can I make my taskbar larger instead?
Absolutely. Just change the TaskbarSi value to 2 and restart.
Are there other ways to tweak the taskbar?
Yep, in Settings, you can change alignment, color, and even auto-hide options — but this particular size change is all in the registry.
Summary
- Open Registry Editor.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer/Advanced.
- Create a DWORD called
TaskbarSi. - Set it to
0for small. - Restart PC.
Wrap-up
Changing the taskbar size via the registry might seem a bit old-school, but it gets the job done. Just be cautious and remember to back up first. On some setups, it’s a little finicky — a reboot or two might be needed — but when it works, wow, the desktop looks cleaner and more spacious. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours of fiddling for someone out there.