The taskbar in Windows 11 acts as your command center, housing the Start menu, pinned apps, system tray, and more. While its sleek design looks modern, the default size might not suit every user's workflow or screen resolution. Although Windows 11 doesn’t offer a built-in setting to resize the taskbar, you can still tweak it using workarounds like Registry Editor or third-party tools.
Learn three safe and effective ways to change your taskbar size, from using the Windows Registry to third-party apps and built-in display scaling settings.
1. How to Change Taskbar Size in Windows 11
If you want to change the size of the taskbar in Windows 11, there are three effective methods available. This guide outlines each approach to help you resize the taskbar. Continue reading to find the method that best suits your needs.
1.1. Method 1: Using Windows Registry
The Windows Registry is a powerful tool that stores low-level settings for the operating system and for applications that opt to use the registry. Here’s how you can use it to change the taskbar size:
Step 1: Go to the Windows Start Menu
Press Win + S to open the Windows Search box.
Step 2: Navigate to Windows Registry Editor
Type "Registry Editor" in the search bar and hit Enter open it.
Step 3: Navigate to DWORD under Advanced Options
Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Step 4: Rename the file as TaskbarSi
Make a right-click on "Advanced" and navigate to "New > DWORD (32-bit) Value". Name the value as "TaskbarSi"
If TaskbarSi already exist then do create new value
Step 5: Enter the appropriate value as per "Icon Size"
Double Click "TaskbarSi" in value data input type any of the following number.
You have three options for the value data: 0, 1, or 2.
- 0 = Small icons
- 1 = Medium icons (default)
- 2 = Large icons
Step 6: Press OK and Restart the Windows Explorer
Press OK once the changes as made as per your preference. Now open Task manager using Windows Shortcut Keys Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Press Win + X and click on "Task Manager" and click on "Windows Explorer" and End Task from the bottom right side.
You'll now notice that your desired changes has been adjusted in your Windows 11 system.
1.2. Method 2: Using Third-Party Tools
You can also take help of any trusted third-party tool to customise the Windows 11 Taskbar Size as per your convenience. However, different tools will have different methods, so we're defining a simplified method that can be more or less the same in every software.
Note: Ensure to download and install Third-party tools from its official website or from any trusted resouce.
Step 1: Open web browser and search for Free Tasbar Size Customizer
You can use either Chrome, Edge or Firefox and look out the top 2-3 websites and select the tool as per your convenience. After visiting the top search results, select any high-rated tool and download it in your Windows 11 system.
Step 2: Complete the Installation and Open Taskbar Customizer tool
Open the tool and locate the Taskbar Size or any similar option within that tool.
Step 3: Make the desired changes
You can select positioning, size, colour, etc. of the Windows Taskbar and click on Apply to save the changes.
1.3. Method 3: Using Windows Display Settings
If you find difficulty while using Method 1, then you can also seek help of Windows in-built display settings. Here's what you need to know:
Step 1: Open Windows Display Settings
Make a right-click on the desktop and choose "Display Settings"
Step 2: Adjust Scale & Layout
Scroll down and click on "Scale & layout". Here' you can adjust taskbar, apps, and text size as per your need. The recommended default settings is for 100%, you can make a click on Scale to make custom scaling and make the desired changes. Once the changes are made, click apply and exit the Display Settings.
