Windows 11 does not offer a numeric taskbar-height field or an icon-width slider. On supported builds, however, you can switch to a smaller taskbar layout, let Windows reduce button sizes when the taskbar is crowded, or enlarge the entire interface through display scaling.
Because Microsoft has introduced these controls gradually, start by checking your Windows build. The available options can differ between retail, preview, and managed PCs.
Check your Windows 11 version and build
Press Windows+R, type winver, and press Enter. The dialog shows your Windows version and OS build.
You can also open Settings > System > About and look under Windows specifications. Windows 11 version 24H2 uses build 26100, while version 25H2 uses build 26200. The exact taskbar controls may still vary within a version because Microsoft rolls out some features gradually.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
- CRISP CLARITY: This 23.8″ Philips V line monitor delivers crisp Full HD 1920x1080 visuals. Enjoy movies, shows and videos with remarkable detail
- INCREDIBLE CONTRAST: The VA panel produces brighter whites and deeper blacks. You get true-to-life images and more gradients with 16.7 million colors
- THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors
- WORK SEAMLESSLY: This sleek monitor is virtually bezel-free on three sides, so the screen looks even bigger for the viewer. This minimalistic design also allows for seamless multi-monitor setups that enhance your workflow and boost productivity
- A BETTER READING EXPERIENCE: For busy office workers, EasyRead mode provides a more paper-like experience for when viewing lengthy documents
To open the taskbar settings page directly, press Windows+R, enter ms-settings:taskbar, and press Enter.
Make the Windows 11 taskbar smaller
On builds that include Microsoft’s newer taskbar controls, use this method:
- Right-click an empty part of the taskbar.
- Select Taskbar settings.
- Expand Taskbar behaviors.
- Find Show smaller taskbar buttons.
- Choose one of the available options:
| Option | Result |
|---|---|
| Always | Uses the smaller taskbar button layout continuously. |
| When taskbar is full | Reduces button size automatically when the taskbar runs out of room. |
| Never | Uses the standard taskbar button size. |
In newer implementations, Always makes both the taskbar and its icons smaller, giving you a little more vertical screen space. Earlier versions of the feature focused mainly on icon and button scaling, so the result can depend on your build.
Use the newer Taskbar Size control
Some Windows Insider Experimental builds provide a separate Taskbar Size setting instead of, or in addition to, Show smaller taskbar buttons.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsLook under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. The control was introduced in Insider Experimental build 26300.8758, released on June 26, 2026. It is not a universal feature of every Windows 11 installation, and its name or location may change before reaching regular releases.
Rank #2
- CRISP CLARITY: This 22 inch class (21.5″ viewable) Philips V line monitor delivers crisp Full HD 1920x1080 visuals. Enjoy movies, shows and videos with remarkable detail
- 100HZ FAST REFRESH RATE: 100Hz brings your favorite movies and video games to life. Stream, binge, and play effortlessly
- SMOOTH ACTION WITH ADAPTIVE-SYNC: Adaptive-Sync technology ensures fluid action sequences and rapid response time. Every frame will be rendered smoothly with crystal clarity and without stutter
- INCREDIBLE CONTRAST: The VA panel produces brighter whites and deeper blacks. You get true-to-life images and more gradients with 16.7 million colors
- THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors
What to do if “Show smaller taskbar buttons” is missing
The setting is not available on every Windows 11 PC. It may depend on your build, update channel, feature rollout, or organization policy.
- Run
winverand record the version and OS build. - Open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
- Check whether the computer is running an Insider build or a normal retail release.
- If it is a work or school computer, ask whether a taskbar policy is being applied.
Installing the latest update does not guarantee that the option will appear immediately. Microsoft can enable taskbar features gradually, and preview documentation does not mean the same control exists in retail Windows.
Can you make the Windows 11 taskbar taller?
Windows 11 has no supported built-in option for making the taskbar larger than its standard size. The current control provides a smaller or standard layout, not a numeric height setting or a separate “large” option.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →If you need larger taskbar icons, the supported workaround is to increase Windows display scaling:
- Open Settings.
- Go to System > Display.
- Under Scale & layout, open Scale.
- Choose a larger value, such as 125% or 150%.
This enlarges more than the taskbar. Text, application windows, menus, and other interface elements will also become larger. It is therefore not an independent taskbar-height control.
Rank #3
- Incredible Images: The Acer KB272 G0bi 27" monitor with 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio presents stunning, high-quality images with excellent detail.
- Adaptive-Sync Support: Get fast refresh rates thanks to the Adaptive-Sync Support (FreeSync Compatible) product that matches the refresh rate of your monitor with your graphics card. The result is a smooth, tear-free experience in gaming and video playback applications.
- Responsive!!: Fast response time of 1ms enhances the experience. No matter the fast-moving action or any dramatic transitions will be all rendered smoothly without the annoying effects of smearing or ghosting. A 120Hz refresh rate speeds up the frames per second to deliver smooth 2D motion scenes in gaming and video.
- 27" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen IPS Monitor | Adaptive-Sync Support (FreeSync Compatible)
- Refresh Rate: Up to 120Hz | Response Time: 1ms VRB | Brightness: 250 nits | Pixel Pitch: 0.311mm
Can you change taskbar icon width or spacing?
No. Windows 11 does not expose separate controls for:
- The width of each pinned application button
- Horizontal spacing between taskbar icons
- Padding around individual icons
- An exact taskbar-button width in pixels
Show smaller taskbar buttons changes between Windows-defined size behaviors; it does not provide a width or spacing slider.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
You can nevertheless make more horizontal room by changing related taskbar settings:
- Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar alignment and choose left or centered alignment where available.
- Under Taskbar items, change Search from a search box to a smaller icon or hide it.
- Turn off taskbar items you do not use.
- Use Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels to reduce the space used by open windows, where that option is available.
These settings change how much space the taskbar consumes, not the exact width of each icon. With When taskbar is full selected, Windows can also reduce button size automatically as space becomes limited.
Why the old TaskbarSi Registry tweak should not be your first choice
Older Windows 11 guides often tell you to create this registry value:
Rank #4
- Clear visuals. Fluid motion: A 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT deliver smooth, tear‑free motion across work, gaming, and streaming for clearer, more fluid viewing.
- Eye comfort: TÜV Rheinland 3‑star* certification reduces harmful blue light while preserving stunning color quality without compromise. *TÜV Rheinland 3-star eye comfort certification.
- Wide viewing angle: Get consistent views across a wide 178° /178° viewing angle.
- In-Plane Switching (IPS): See excellent color accuracy and consistency across wide viewing angles with In-plane Switching (IPS) technology.
- Ultra-thin bezels: Maximize your viewing experience with thin bezels.
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvancedTaskbarSiThose guides commonly assign 0 for small, 1 for default, and 2 for large. This was an undocumented workaround, not a supported Windows setting. It became unreliable after taskbar changes including the February 2023 update KB5022913.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →On current builds, changing the value may do nothing, work only temporarily, or produce inconsistent results between taskbar sections. Common symptoms include a cropped clock or system-tray area, settings reverting after an update, and different behavior after changing display scaling or connecting another monitor.
A registry value can still exist in the profile while the current Windows shell ignores it. For that reason, use the supported Taskbar settings control when your build provides it rather than relying on old TaskbarSi instructions.
When a work or school PC controls the taskbar
Administrators can enforce the small-button behavior with the Configure Taskbar Small Button Behavior policy. On supported Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions, the policy is located at:
User Configuration
└─ Administrative Templates
└─ Start Menu and Taskbar
└─ Configure Taskbar Small Button BehaviorThe policy values are:
| Value | Behavior |
|---|---|
0 |
Always use smaller buttons |
1 |
Use smaller buttons when the taskbar is full |
2 |
Never use smaller buttons |
65535 |
No enforced configuration; the user can choose where supported |
When an administrator enables the policy, the user cannot change the corresponding setting in Windows Settings. This can explain why the option is disabled or why a selected value keeps returning after a sign-in or policy refresh. Windows Home does not include the Local Group Policy Editor.
Best Value
- 【INTEGRATED SPEAKERS】Whether you're at work or in the midst of an intense gaming session, our built-in speakers provide rich and seamless audio, all while keeping your desk clutter-free.
- 【EASY ON THE EYES】 Protect your eyes and enhance your comfort with Blue-Light Shift technology. This feature reduces harmful blue light emissions from your screen, helping to alleviate eye strain during long hours of use and promoting healthier viewing habits.
- 【WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE】Our sleek minimal bezel design ensures undivided attention. The nearly bezel-free display seamlessly connects in a dual monitor arrangement, delivering an unobstructed view that lets you focus on more at once, completely distraction-free.
Windows 11 taskbar sizing: what is possible?
| Goal | Supported method |
|---|---|
| Make icons smaller | Taskbar settings > Taskbar behaviors > Show smaller taskbar buttons > Always, where available |
| Automatically shrink icons when crowded | Select When taskbar is full |
| Restore standard sizing | Select Never |
| Make the taskbar shorter | Use the smaller-taskbar implementation, if supported by your build |
| Make the taskbar taller | No supported built-in control |
| Set an exact height in pixels | No supported built-in control |
| Set exact icon width or spacing | No supported built-in control |
| Make the whole interface larger | Settings > System > Display > Scale & layout > Scale |
| Force the behavior on a managed PC | Use the Configure Taskbar Small Button Behavior policy |
FAQ
How do I make taskbar icons smaller in Windows 11?
Open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors, expand Show smaller taskbar buttons, and select Always. The option is only available on Windows builds that include the newer taskbar controls.
How do I increase the taskbar size in Windows 11?
There is no supported setting that makes only the taskbar larger. To enlarge the taskbar along with the rest of Windows, open Settings > System > Display and increase Scale to 125% or 150%.
Can I change the width of taskbar icons?
No. Windows 11 does not provide an independent icon-width, button-width, padding, or spacing control. The smaller-button setting uses fixed Windows layouts.
Why can’t I find Show smaller taskbar buttons?
The control depends on your Windows version, OS build, update channel, gradual feature rollout, and possible workplace policies. Check winver, install available Windows updates, and check whether the PC is managed.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Does the TaskbarSi Registry setting still work?
It is an outdated, undocumented workaround and is unreliable on current Windows 11 builds. It may be ignored, revert after updates, or cause inconsistent taskbar rendering.
The Bottom Line
For a smaller Windows 11 taskbar, use Show smaller taskbar buttons > Always, or choose When taskbar is full if you only want automatic reduction when space runs out. Windows 11 still does not provide supported controls for a taller taskbar, exact pixel height, icon width, or icon spacing. Use display scaling only when enlarging the entire interface is acceptable.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
