How To Adjust the Taskbar Size in Windows 11 for Better Accessibility

Messing around with the taskbar in Windows 11 can be a little weird because there’s no fancy slider or built-in setting for resizing it, like in Windows 10. Instead, you’ve got to poke around in the registry—yeah, that secret settings vault everyone’s wary of. But once you get your head around what to change, it’s pretty straightforward. Changing the size can make your screen feel less cluttered or give you more space for icons. It’s kind of like dressing up your desktop without installing extra apps.

How to Change Taskbar Size in Windows 11

Method 1: Tweak the Registry to Resize the Taskbar

This method helps if your taskbar feels too big or tiny for your liking. It’s all about editing a registry key that controls the taskbar height. Just a heads up—if you mess up here, things might get wonky, so make sure to back everything up first. On some setups, the change is almost instant after a restart, but on others, it’s a bit more finicky. Sometimes restarting Explorer (via Task Manager) is enough; other times, a full reboot is needed. Whatever you do, proceed with a grain of salt.

Open the Registry Editor: Hit Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Say it’s your first rodeo—just remember, this is like entering the control room of Windows. Be cautious and don’t go click-happy.
Navigate to the key: Browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
This is where the magic happens. If you can’t find it right away, double-check the path or use the search feature. The tricky part is that sometimes this key doesn’t have what you need yet, so you’ll create your own.
Create a new DWORD (32-bit): Right-click in the right pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it TaskbarSi.
Think of this like adding a new switch on a panel—you’re telling Windows how big or small to make the taskbar.
Set the value: Double-click TaskbarSi and assign it a number:
- 0 = Small (good if you want a minimal look)
- 1 = Default size (normal, straightforward)
- 2 = Large (makes the taskbar chunkier)
On some setups, these values don’t seem to do much unless you restart Explorer or reboot. Weird, but that’s Windows for you.
Restart Explorer: Right-click the taskbar, open Task Manager (or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find Windows Explorer in the processes list, right-click it, and hit Restart.
This little trick restarts your shell without a full reboot, and often updates the taskbar size instantly. If not, a restart of your entire PC might be necessary. Not sure why this works, but sometimes it just does.

When it’s all said and done, you should see your taskbar resized—either chunkier or more compact. Just keep in mind, not every machine reacts perfectly, and sometimes a reboot makes all the difference. But once it’s set, the taskbar feels a lot more tailor-made, especially if the default seems off for your workflow.

Tips for Changing Taskbar Size in Windows 11

Backup the registry: Export the current registry settings for this key before making any changes. Better safe than sorry.
Test different values: Don’t be shy about trying 0, 1, or 2. Sometimes, one size feels much better after a bit of trial and error.
Restart Explorer often: If nothing changes, give Explorer a reset—it’s like a quick refresh for your interface.
Be conservative with changes: Keep track of what you modify. Because Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Ask around or browse forums: If something’s off, chances are someone else has tried it and posted fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I resize the taskbar without messing with the registry?

Not yet, Windows 11 hasn’t added that feature natively. Looks like we’re stuck with this workaround for now.

What if I put in the wrong number?

Generally, it shouldn’t brick anything. But you might end up with a tiny or huge taskbar that’s not super functional. Just revert to 1 or delete the TaskbarSi key and restart Explorer.

Will this impact Windows performance?

Nope, just adjusts the height, so performance stays the same.

How can I revert if I don’t like it?

You can delete the TaskbarSi DWORD or set it back to 1. Then restart Explorer or reboot, and it’ll go back to normal.

Is messing with the registry risky?

As long as you follow the steps carefully and back things up first, it’s generally safe. But Windows doesn’t always play nice, so don’t go wild.

Summary

Back up your registry before making any changes.
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.
Create or edit the TaskbarSi DWORD.
Set it to 0, 1, or 2 based on your preferred size.
Restart Explorer or reboot to see the change.

Wrap-up

Honestly, resizing the Windows 11 taskbar isn’t the most intuitive thing, but it’s doable. It’s kinda satisfying to get your desktop looking just right, especially after playing with the tiny, default, or overly large options. Just remember, a little patience and a backup go a long way. Hopefully, this shaves off some hassle and makes your setup feel a bit more personal—worked for a few machines here, anyway. Fingers crossed it helps someone else, too.