Reducing space between taskbar icons

Without resorting to 3rd party software, is it possible to reduce the space between taskbar icons?

Note - not desktop icons. Taskbar.

In earlier versions of 11 we couldn't change the spacing but we could change the size of the taskbar which resulted in getting more icons on the taskbar, However that tweak no longer works.

I do not use 3rd party apps myself but I found a solution that works for me to get access to more "stuff" from my taskbar. Even though we don't have Quick Launch any more you can simulate it.
If your goal is to have more icons on your taskbar you might see if it will work for you. Here's how.

1. Browse to C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\
(NOTE: you have to have "show hidden files" enabled in folder options to see this folder.)
Within this folder create a sub-folder and name it Quick Launch or whatever you want.

2. Make a shortcut to this new QuickLaunch folder on your desktop but add
C:\windows\explorer.exe in front of the location path like this:
C:\Windows\explorer.exe C:\Users\glass\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch.

3. Assign this shortcut an icon. (Right click on desktop shortcut-properties-change icon-select an icon-apply-OK)

4. Pin the shortcut to taskbar

You can put anything you want into this folder. Files, folders, shortcuts.
I rarely go to my desktop as everything is organized in a manner that I can quickly access it from my "fake quicklaunch" icon on the taskbar.

@glasskuter I've already done that for some less-frequently-used items. It works OK, but adds another layer of clicks.

Buddy said:

but adds another layer of clicks.

Click to expand...

Yeah, it adds one click but we have to work with what we got. It's that or go third party. I resolved myself to just living with the stuff I can't change natively. My blood pressure thanked me.

Get a dremel IMO. lmao

Has anyone ever found a solution to reducing the big spaces between taskbar icons?
I don't mean the big spaces between tray icons. I know how to adjust them. I mean the big spaces between the taskbar icons.