Personalization Change Size of Taskbar Icons in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to change when to show small icons on the taskbar for your account, all users, or specific users in Windows 11.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26100.4484 (24H2), Microsoft is rolling out taskbar icon scaling. The taskbar now resizes icons to fit more apps when space runs low, keeping everything visible and easy to access. You can adjust how icons appear in settings—reduce icon size only when the taskbar is full (default), keep icons at their original size at all times by selecting Never, or use smaller icons all the time by selecting Always.

You can choose when Windows will show smaller taskbar buttons:

• When taskbar is full: By default, taskbar icons will automatically turn smaller when the taskbar is full. This helps you maintain access to more apps without any extra effort.
• Never: For users who prefer their icons to remain the same size as before, regardless of how many apps are open, there’s an option to prevent the icons from scaling down.
• Always: If you love the look of smaller icons and want them to stay that way all the time, you can set your taskbar icons to always be small.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26300.8493 (Experimental 25H2), Microsoft is introducing a smaller taskbar for users who want to maximize screen space, especially on smaller devices. While the default taskbar remains unchanged, this setting provides a more compact experience with smaller icons and a reduced taskbar height, giving you more room for your apps. Core elements like Start, Search, and the system tray scale appropriately to stay aligned and consistent. When set to Always, both the icons and the taskbar height become smaller.

Reference:





EXAMPLE: Always or Never "Show smaller taskbar buttons" on taskbar



EXAMPLE: Windows 11 Small vs Default Taskbar Comparison






1 Open Settings (WIn+I).

2 Click/tap on Personalization on the left side, and click/tap on Taskbar on the right side. (see screenshot below)



3 Click/tap on Taskbar behaviors on the right side to expand it open. (see screenshot below step 4)

4 Select Always, Never, or When taskbar is full (default) for what you want in the Show smaller taskbar buttons drop menu. (see screenshot below)


5 You can now close Settings if you like.

This option will not work when Administrator protection is turned on.

1 Do step 2 (always), step 3 (never), or step 4 (when full) below for what you want.





(Content of REG file for reference)





(Content of REG file for reference)

This is the default setting.

(Content of REG file for reference)

5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

6 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.

7 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

8 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.





1 Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).

2 Navigate to the key location below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below step 3)

Substitute <SID> in the key path above with the actual SID for the account you want to apply this to.

For example:
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-2498639629-3946114050-4100787084-1001\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

3 In the right pane of the Advanced key, double click/tap on the IconSizePreference DWORD to modify it. (see screenshot below)


4 Enter 0 (always small), 1 (never small - default), or 2 (small when taskbar full) for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)


5 You can now close Registry Editor if you like.

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Five to configure the same policy.

1 Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2 Navigate to the policy location below you want in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below step 3)




3 In the right pane of Start Menu and Taskbar in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Configure Taskbar Small Button Behavior policy to edit it. (see screenshot below)


4 Do step 5 (Default) or step 6 (specify) below for what you want.

This is the default setting to allow using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.

This will override and prevent using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.

7 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.





1 Do step 2 (default), step 3 (always), step 4 (when full), or step 5 (never) below for what you want.

This is the default setting to allow using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.

(Contents of REG file for reference)

This will override and prevent using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.

(Contents of REG file for reference)

This will override and prevent using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.

(Contents of REG file for reference)

This will override and prevent using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.

(Contents of REG file for reference)

6 Save the REG file to your desktop.

7 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.

8 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.

9 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

10 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

11 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink