Windows 11 lets you shrink taskbar icons for a cleaner, more compact look — here’s how to enable smaller icons easily

Big icons hogging your taskbar? Shrink them down with this Windows 11 tweak.

On Windows 11, you can now switch to smaller Taskbar icons, and in this guide, I'll explain how the feature works and how to enable it.

Earlier versions of the operating system offered a "Use small Taskbar buttons" setting, but that option disappeared when Windows 11 launched. Microsoft has now brought the feature back, though its behavior has changed. Previously, enabling small icons also reduced the Taskbar's height. On Windows 11, only the icon size changes, and the Taskbar remains the same height.

This update isn't designed to free up vertical space. Instead, it helps you fit more apps on the Taskbar before they spill into the overflow menu. Smaller icons allow the bar to hold more pinned or running apps, which is especially useful on systems with limited screen width or for users who keep many apps open.

In this how-to guide, I'll outline a new, easy way to change the size of icons in the Taskbar.

How to enable smaller icons in the Taskbar on Windows 11

To show smaller app icons in the Taskbar, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Personalization.
3. Click the Taskbar page on the right side.