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Windows 10 has a built-in switch for making taskbar buttons smaller. Windows 11 is more limited: Microsoft is rolling out a Show smaller taskbar buttons option to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel, but it is not documented as available on every retail Windows 11 installation.
Use the method for your version below. If you need an exact size such as 32×32 pixels, Windows does not provide a supported setting for that.
Change taskbar icon size in Windows 10
Windows 10 includes a direct setting called Use small taskbar buttons.
- Right-click an empty area of the taskbar.
- Select Taskbar settings.
- Turn on Use small taskbar buttons.
The taskbar becomes shorter and its buttons and icons become smaller. To restore the normal size, return to the same page and turn the option off.
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You can also reach the setting through Start → Settings → Personalization → Taskbar.
Change taskbar icon size in Windows 11
On supported Windows 11 Insider builds, Microsoft’s current control is located here:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Personalization → Taskbar.
- Expand Taskbar behaviors.
- Find Show smaller taskbar buttons.
- Set it to Always.
This compact mode reduces both the icon size and the height of the taskbar. Microsoft says the change takes effect without restarting Windows or signing out.
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What the options mean
| Option | Result |
|---|---|
| Always | Uses the smaller taskbar buttons and a shorter taskbar. |
| Never | Keeps the standard taskbar button size. |
If the control is missing, install all available Windows updates, restart the PC, and check Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Taskbar behaviors again. Community guidance describes the control as arriving through a cumulative update, but there is no single generally documented KB or minimum build that guarantees it on every device.
Make Windows 11 taskbar icons larger
Windows 11 does not currently provide a supported taskbar-only setting for choosing a larger icon size. If Show smaller taskbar buttons is available, set it to Never to return to the standard size.
If the standard taskbar still looks too small, the supported system-wide alternative is display scaling:
- Open Settings.
- Select System → Display.
- Under Scale & layout, choose a larger percentage, such as 125% or 150%.
Display scaling enlarges text, apps, and other Windows interface elements as well as the taskbar. It is not an independent taskbar-icon control, so it may make more of the desktop look larger than you want.
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Why the old Windows 11 Registry trick is unreliable
Many older guides tell you to create or edit this value:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvancedThey usually call the value TaskbarSi and claim that these data values select different sizes:
| Value | Historical meaning |
|---|---|
0 |
Smallest |
1 |
Default or medium |
2 |
Largest |
TaskbarSi is not a current, documented Windows 11 setting. A Microsoft Q&A answer says that Windows 11’s Moment 2 changes stopped checking these old Registry entries. As a result, the values can remain in the Registry without changing the taskbar on newer builds.
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HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvancedDo not treat changing it as a dependable fix for a current Windows 11 installation. Back up the Registry before editing it, and use the supported taskbar setting when your build provides one.
What to do if smaller icons look blurry
Compact taskbar mode can make custom application icons look blurry because Windows renders them at a smaller size. First set Show smaller taskbar buttons to Never and check whether the normal-size icon is clear again.
If a custom icon remains blurry at the standard size, Windows does not expose another supported control for manually choosing the taskbar icon dimensions. Report the problem in Feedback Hub by pressing Windows + F and include the affected application, Windows version, and a screenshot if possible.
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Windows 10 and Windows 11 compared
| Windows version | Built-in taskbar-size control | Exact pixel size supported? |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 | Use small taskbar buttons in Taskbar settings | No |
| Windows 11 Insider Experimental builds with the feature | Show smaller taskbar buttons under Taskbar behaviors | No |
| Other Windows 11 builds | Availability varies; use display scaling for a broader size change | No |
FAQ
Can I set Windows 11 taskbar icons to exactly 32×32 pixels?
No. Windows 11 does not provide a supported control for an arbitrary taskbar icon size such as 32×32 pixels. It offers compact or standard sizing where the newer taskbar control is available.
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Why do I not see “Show smaller taskbar buttons” in Windows 11?
Microsoft announced the control for Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel, so it may not be included in your build or rollout. Install available updates, restart, and check Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Taskbar behaviors again.
Does changing Windows display scaling resize taskbar icons?
It can make the taskbar and other interface elements appear larger, but scaling applies across Windows rather than only to taskbar icons. Use it when a system-wide size increase is acceptable.
Does the TaskbarSi Registry value still work in Windows 11?
It is an unsupported legacy workaround and is not reliable on current Windows 11 builds. Microsoft Q&A guidance says newer Moment 2 changes stopped Windows from checking the old value.
How do I return Windows 11 icons to their normal size?
Open Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Taskbar behaviors and set Show smaller taskbar buttons to Never. If that control is unavailable, your build may not have the feature.
The Bottom Line
On Windows 10, open Taskbar settings and turn on Use small taskbar buttons. On supported Windows 11 Insider builds, use Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Taskbar behaviors → Show smaller taskbar buttons → Always. Windows 11 has no supported way to choose an arbitrary icon dimension, and the old TaskbarSi Registry hack should not be relied on.
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