How to resize the taskbar in Windows 11

If you have come this far it is because you want to Change the size of the taskbar in Windows 11 And you've realized that it's not as easy as it used to be. Windows 7 o Windows In version 10, it only took a couple of clicks or dragging the bar, but in the latest version of the system things have become quite complicated and it's normal to be confused.

Throughout this guide we will see all available methods to make the taskbar bigger or smaller and its icons in Windows 11, explained calmly and in simple language. You'll see options from system settings, display settings, and, for those who dare, changes to the Registry. We'll also discuss some current limitations and Tricks related to the daily use of the taskbar, and how customize the taskbar and Start menu.

Why can't you resize the taskbar like before?

For years, in earlier versions of Windows, it was possible Resize the taskbar simply by dragging its edge with the mouse...and even move it to the top or sides of the screen. This freedom of customization made it very easy to adapt it to each person's taste.

With the arrival of Windows 11, Microsoft completely redesigned this element, introducing a more modern, centered taskbar with New features to customize shortcuts and taskbarHowever, it has sacrificed some classic features. Among them, the direct option to adjust its height by dragging or using a simple visual adjustment in the settings has been lost.

This decision has generated considerable discontent among users, since Many assumed they could continue modifying the size of the bar. with the same ease as always. Although improvements such as transparencies, new icons, and the ability to center buttons have been added, the reduction in size options has been a step backward for those who value customization, and options such as ungroup the taskbar that previously facilitated those adjustments.

Currently, if you want to adjust the size of the taskbar in Windows 11, you'll have to resort to Less obvious methods: changing the screen scale or adjust certain Registry parameters. They're not as intuitive as a simple slider, but they allow you to achieve a fairly similar result.

Quick method: Change screen scaling in Windows 11

The simplest method to make the taskbar appear larger or smaller is Modify the screen scale from Windows 11 settingsIt's a kind of general trick: it doesn't just change the bar, but all the interface elements (text, icons, windows, menus, etc.).

To use this method, the first thing to do is open display settingsThe most direct way is to right-click on an empty space on the desktop and select "Display settings" from the context menu. This will take you to the Display section within the Settings app.

Within this window you will see a section called “Scale and design”There you'll find the "Scale" option, usually set to a value like 100%, 125%, or 150%, depending on your monitor size and resolution. This percentage indicates how much Windows increases or decreases the size of everything displayed.

If you reduce that percentage (for example, from 125% to 100%), All elements on the screen will appear smallerThis includes the taskbar icons and the taskbar itself. Conversely, if you increase the scale (for example, to 125% or 150%), everything will become larger, which can be helpful if you have trouble reading the text or seeing the icons clearly.

Although this trick affects the entire desktop, it is the safest and easiest option for users without technical experienceThis is because it doesn't involve touching the Registry or making any delicate changes. Simply play with the scale until you find the point where the taskbar is the size that's most comfortable for you.

Advanced method: Change the size of the bar from the Registry

If simply changing the screen scale doesn't convince you, or you want more direct control, there is a more advanced method that allows Adjust the size of taskbar icons using the Registry EditorNow we're entering delicate territory, so it's best to proceed with caution.

The Windows Registry is an internal database where the system stores multitude of configurations and parametersModifying specific entries can enable or disable features that don't appear in the normal settings options. In the case of Windows 11, one of these hidden parameters controls the size of the taskbar items.

First of all, it is highly recommended Create a backup of the Registry, or at least of the key you are going to modify.Especially if you're not used to these kinds of changes. An error when editing values ​​can cause strange system behavior, so it's best to be safe. If you have any doubts or encounter problems, consult guides and Solutions if the taskbar or Start menu is not responding.

To open the Registry Editor, you have several options. A very quick one is to press Win + R to open the Run windowType “regedit” and press Enter. Alternatively, you can open the Start menu, type “regedit” or “registry editor” in the search bar, and launch the tool from there.

Once inside the editor, you'll see a tree-like structure in the left column. You'll need to navigate folder by folder until reaching the next route:

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

Once you have selected the “Advanced” key, look at the right side of the window, where a list of values ​​appears. In many modern Windows 11 installations, you may already find a value called “TaskbarSi”If it doesn't appear, you'll have to create it manually.

To create this value, right-click on an empty area in the right-hand side of the editor and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) ValueOnce the new element is created, change its name to “TaskbarSi” (respecting uppercase and lowercase letters as you see it, without spaces).

The next step is to modify its contents. Double-click on “TaskbarSi” to open the editing window, and in the “Value information” field, enter one of these numbers, which indicate the desired size for taskbar icons:

• 0: small size for taskbar icons.
• 1: medium size (this is the standard default behavior in Windows 11).
• 2: large size for taskbar icons.

Choose the desired size for the taskbar and confirm with OK. For Windows to apply the change, you will need to Restart your computer or at least log out and log back in.When you return to the desktop, you'll see that the taskbar has changed size according to the value you set.

If at any point you are not satisfied with the result, you can always Edit “TaskbarSi” again and change the numberor even completely remove the value so that Windows reverts to its original behavior. Just remember to restart after each change to check the effects.

Basic alternative: adjust the size using the small buttons option

In some cases, especially in systems where certain legacy configurations are retained, you may encounter an option related to “Show smaller taskbar buttons” within the settings. This function does not change the overall height of the bar, but it does reduce the size of the buttons and icons.

To try to locate it, right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”The corresponding section will open in the Settings app, where you'll see different blocks of options to customize which icons are displayed and how the bar behaves.

In different versions of Windows and in certain builds of Windows 11, this option can be found under the heading of “Taskbar Behaviors” or in similar menus. If the "Show smaller taskbar buttons" option appears, simply check it to shrink the icons and make the taskbar appear to take up less space.

It is worth noting that, in many current Windows 11 installations, This option is no longer displayed prominently. Or it's limited to more basic settings, such as icon alignment or auto-hide behavior. In those cases, you'll have to resort to screen scaling or modifying the Registry to actually adjust the size.

In any case, it's worth reviewing these options in case Microsoft includes or expands upon them in future updates, as the company is constantly adding them. New features and design changes relatively frequentlyMany official guides recommend exactly that: periodically explore the taskbar settings for any interesting new features.

Using the taskbar efficiently in Windows 11

Beyond its size, it's worth knowing how to get the most out of the taskbar, as it's designed for to offer quick and organized access to applications that you use every day. By default, Windows 11 includes pinned icons such as File Explorer, Edge, the Store, and other tools.

The applications you have open at that moment are also shown in the bar, with a small line below the icon indicates that they are runningThe window that is active at any given time is usually highlighted using the accent color configured in the system, which helps to identify at a glance where you are working.

A key function is the ability to Pin and unpin your favorite programs to keep them always at hand. You can do this in several ways: using the search bar or from the icon itself while the application is open. That way, next time you won't have to go to the Start menu; a single click on the taskbar will suffice.

Another advantage is that you can rearrange the taskbar icons simply by dragging themThis way you can place your browser, email client, text editor, or any other application you use constantly closer, improving your workflow without having to resize the bar.

On the far right, there is also the so-called system tray, where the following are displayed: background app icons, clock, notification center, and quick controlsIn Windows 11 you can also customize which icons are permanently displayed there to only see what interests you.

Taskbar customization options in Windows 11

Windows 11 has incorporated a number of specific settings for the taskbar, although it doesn't yet include direct control over its size. From the window of “Taskbar settings” You can decide which buttons you want to appear and how the bar itself behaves, and even use external plugins and tools such as Taskbar X to modify its appearance.

In the first block of options you can enable or disable icons such as “Task View” (to switch virtual desktops) or “Widgets”, which are added to the group of central icons. If you prefer a cleaner bar, you can keep only what you really need and disable the rest.

Below are the controls related to the system tray areaLocated to the right of the bar, you can define which icons are always displayed and which are hidden in the drop-down menu, which is especially useful if your list of background programs is long and you don't want to clutter the space.

In the “Taskbar behaviors” section you will find classic settings, such as the option to automatically hide the bar when you're not using itThis gives you some vertical screen space, which is appreciated on smaller monitors or portableeven if you don't technically change the size of the bar.

In these options you can also change the alignment of icons between centered and leftThis is something many people appreciate, as it brings back the look of previous versions of Windows. All of this doesn't change the height of the taskbar, but it does improve the visual sense of space and order on the desktop.

Some support guides indicate that if Microsoft decides to incorporate a official setting to shrink the taskbarIt will most likely appear within this settings section. Therefore, it's a good idea to check it occasionally after system updates.

Comparison with Windows 10, Windows 7 and other systems

To understand the change that Windows 11 has brought, it helps to compare how it was managed the size of the taskbar in earlier versions of the systemIn Windows 10, for example, it was extremely easy to reduce the space occupied by the buttons.

It was enough to right-click on the taskbar, select “Taskbar settings” and activate the "Use small taskbar buttons" option. With a single switch, the icons became more compact, and the taskbar appeared to take up less screen space.

Additionally, in Windows 10 you could also use the options of automatic bar hidingIn both desktop and tablet modes, similar to what is still offered in Windows 11, hovering the cursor over the bottom of the screen would bring the bar back when you needed it.

Going back further, in Windows 7 it was even more straightforward. You could right-click the Start button, go to Properties, and then to the Taskbar tab, where there was a specific option for use small icons in the barAfter activating it and applying the changes, the bar looked noticeably thinner.

This journey makes it clear that, for a long time, Windows offered explicit controls for adjusting the size of the taskbar. without needing to touch the Registry or anything like that. The current situation with Windows 11 breaks somewhat with that tradition and forces us to look for alternative or more technical solutions.

Many users hope that, in future system updates, Microsoft will restore some kind of Simple control to modify the height or size of the icons in the bar.For now, the community relies on tricks like scaling and the "TaskbarSi" value in the Registry to achieve a similar result.

Tips and precautions for users with limited knowledge

Not everyone is familiar with concepts like the Windows Registry, advanced keys or DWORD valuesAnd it's completely normal to feel lost when faced with these kinds of instructions. If you're in that situation, don't worry: you have room to act safely without getting into trouble.

The best course of action, if you lack technical experience, is limiting yourself to the screen scaling methodIt's a fully integrated option in Windows settings, easy to revert, and with no real risk of breaking anything. You can try different percentages until you find a comfortable balance between size and usable screen space.

If you still need to resort to Registry method for adjusting the bar size If you don't feel confident, it's a good idea to ask for help from someone with more experience in these matters; for example, a technician, a friend who's comfortable with Windows, or your organization's specialized support. You can also review guides on the A definitive solution to the disappearing taskbar if any strange behavior arises.

Before changing anything in the Registry, make it a habit to Create a backup or note down exactly which key and value you are going to modifyThat way, if something doesn't go as planned, you can go back without major complications.

Also keep in mind that official Microsoft guides usually update when new options appear in the taskbarTherefore, you may see settings appear in the future that aren't available today, such as a more direct size selector. Checking the help sections from time to time can give you clues about interesting new features.

In short, if you're worried about not "knowing about computers," focus on the simple steps, progress little by little, and don't hesitate to ask for support or clarification when something is not clear to you.It's better to take a little longer and do it calmly than to risk changing something important without understanding it.

After reviewing all these methods, it is clear that, although Windows 11 has eliminated the classic way of resizing the taskbar, It is still possible to modify its size by playing with the screen scaling and, for more advanced users, with the TaskbarSi value in the Registry.By combining these options with the multiple possibilities of pinning, unpinning, and rearranging icons, you can customize your taskbar to your liking, gaining visual space or improving readability depending on your daily needs.