How To Resize the Taskbar in Windows 11: A Simple Step-by-Step Tutorial

Windows 11’s sleek new look is pretty slick, but sometimes, the default taskbar size just feels a little too bulky—especially on smaller screens or when you’re aiming for that minimalistic vibe. The thing is, Windows mostly hides some of these tweaks behind the registry, which can be a pain if you’re not used to digging into that stuff. But honestly, tweaking the taskbar size isn’t super complicated, once you know where to look. It’s just about editing a couple of values in the Registry Editor. Expect it to make your desktop look cleaner and give you a tad more screen real estate for your apps and windows. Just a heads up — be cautious, because messing up the registry can cause issues. Always back things up before diving in. That said, here’s how to make that taskbar smaller in Windows 11, step by step.

How to Make Taskbar Smaller on Windows 11

Implementing these changes can really tidy things up. It’s a bit like giving your desktop a fresh coat of paint—more space, less clutter. When it works, it’s a quick visual upgrade, but if it doesn’t, there might be some other settings or updates that need checking.

Open the Registry Editor

Press Win + R, then type regedit and hit Enter. Yep, Windows’ way of making you feel like a hacker. Don’t worry, it’s straightforward. If a User Account Control prompt pops up, click Yes.
This pops open the Registry Editor. It’s where Windows stores all sorts of hidden settings. Be cautious with what you mess with here—it’s powerful but can cause chaos if you tweak the wrong thing.

Navigate to the right Registry path

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced. It’s like entering a secret room in the Windows library, where they keep all the taskbar configs.

Create a new DWORD value

Right-click on the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name it TaskbarSi. This name (“TaskbarSi” for size) is critical—Windows reads it and adjusts the size accordingly. If you get creative with names, nothing will happen.

Adjust the value

Double-click TaskbarSi. In the popup, set the Value data to 0 for smaller, 1 for default, or 2 for bigger.
Honestly, on some setups, the 0 setting isn’t super noticeable at first, so keep that in mind. You might need a reboot or a log-out to see the effect.

Restart your computer

Close the Registry Editor, then give your PC a quick restart. It looks like a simple step, but that’s when the magic happens—Windows reads all the new registry values on boot and applies the new taskbar size.

And that’s pretty much it. After the reboot, your taskbar should look smaller, giving you more room across your desktop. Sometimes it might take a few minutes, or a log-out and log-in, to see the full effect. Don’t be surprised if the change feels subtle on first try—adjusting TaskbarSi is kind of sneaky that way.

Tips for Making Taskbar Smaller on Windows 11

Always back up the registry first — just in case. You can do that via File > Export in the registry editor.
Take a screenshot of your current settings before diving in. Because, of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Adjust TaskbarSi between 0 and 2 to find what feels right. On some setups, it’s not night and day, so experiment a bit.
Close apps or save your work before restarting — better safe than sorry.
If you don’t see any change, make sure your Windows is fully updated. Sometimes, registry tweaks get sneaky with newer builds.

FAQs

Can I make the taskbar bigger again?

Yeah, just go back to the registry and change TaskbarSi to 1 or 2. Easy peasy.

Is editing the Registry safe?

If you stick to these instructions and back things up, it’s safe. But yeah, most of us know Windows isn’t always perfect—so don’t go wild with random registry changes.

What if nothing changes after reboot?

Double-check the path, ensure you saved the correct value, and verify your Windows version. Sometimes, system updates or bugs might block the tweak.

Will this work on all Windows 11 versions?

Most should support it, but newer updates or certain editions might behave differently. Keep your system up-to-date.

How do I revert if I mess up?

Just delete the TaskbarSi value, or restore the registry from the backup you made earlier.

Summary

Open Registry Editor by pressing Win + R and typing regedit.
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.
Create a new DWORD named TaskbarSi.
Set its value to 0 for smaller taskbar.
Restart your PC and enjoy the more compact look.

Wrap-up

That’s pretty much it—making your Windows 11 taskbar smaller isn’t rocket science, but it does involve editing the registry. On one hand, it feels kinda sneaky, but on the other, it’s a quick way to personalize your workspace. Just be cautious, back up first, and don’t go crazy with the fiddling. Once you get it dialed in, it’s a small change that actually makes a big difference in how your desktop feels—less clutter, more space. Fingers crossed this helps someone shave off a few hours of frustration or just get their desktop looking the way they want. Good luck!