What’s the Best Way to Make Windows 11 Taskbar Look Less Cluttered? Try This Simple Fix!

Feeling Annoyed by Big Icons? How Can You Get Smaller Taskbar Buttons on Windows 11 Fast?

The Windows 11 taskbar often uses big buttons and icons. This can frustrate people who want to make better use of their screen space. With the newest updates, it’s now possible to resize these items for a cleaner look and easier navigation.

Windows 11 gives you an option to make taskbar icons and buttons smaller. This setting will not change the height of the taskbar, only the size of what you see on it. If you want the taskbar to look less busy and show more apps at a glance, this is a great solution.

Simple steps to turn on smaller taskbar buttons and icons

1. Right-click the taskbar, then tap “Taskbar settings.”
2. Or, press the Windows + I at the same time to open settings, then pick “Personalization” and select “Taskbar.”
3. Scroll down and find “Taskbar behaviors.”
4. Click the arrow beside it to open more options.
5. Look for “Show smaller taskbar buttons.”
6. Pick “Always” if you want them smaller all the time. Choose “When taskbar is full” if you want them small only when there isn’t enough space.
7. The change happens right away.

To go back to normal

Select “Never” in the same spot, and it will switch back to bigger taskbar buttons and icons.

Benefits of using smaller buttons and icons

• More programs and apps can show at once.
• Easier to keep your desktop tidy and organized.
• Makes your screen feel less cramped.

Extra tip: This feature comes in newer versions of Windows 11. Make sure your system is up to date so this option is there.

If you like to adjust settings another way, you can do it through the Windows Registry:

1. Push the Windows + R at the same time to open the Run box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. In the registry editor, go to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

4. Look for “IconSizePreference.” If you don’t see it, right-click on the right side, pick “New > DWORD (32-bit) Value,” and call it IconSizePreference.
5. Set these values for different results:
   • 0 = always use small taskbar buttons
   • 1 = always use large (default) taskbar buttons
   • 2 = only use small taskbar buttons when the taskbar is full
6. Close the registry. Changes will happen right away.

Important Reminders

• Only icons and button size changes, not the taskbar height.
• Some older Windows 11 versions do not have this feature.
• Restart your computer if changes don’t appear at once.

Using smaller taskbar elements helps make your screen easier to use and helps keep everything tidy. If your screen feels crowded or the icons just look too big, these adjustments can make a positive difference.

If you find this helpful, you’re not alone; many users prefer a look that’s less overwhelming and more efficient. Making the switch takes only a minute and can make using your computer much easier every day.