Get Windows 7 Iconized (Icon Only) Taskbar Feature in Windows XP and Vista

Windows 7 taskbar doesn’t show text in application buttons, it only show their icons. On the other hand previous Windows versions used to show icon as well as text in all application’s taskbar buttons.

Actually Windows 7 new iconized taskbar feature looks good and it also saves space in taskbar area. If you want to have the same feature in Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003, 2008, etc, then you can get it after following a few simple and easy steps.

Before applying this tutorial:

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Default_Taskbar.jpg

After applying this tutorial:

Iconized_Taskbar.jpg

So here are the steps to follow:

1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor. Now go to following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics

2. In right-side pane, create a new String value MinWidth and set its value to -255

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Adding_MinWidth_Value_in_Registry.jpg

3. That’s it. Log off or restart your system and get ready to have iconized taskbar in your system.

4. To restore default taskbar behavior, delete the MinWidth String value and log off or restart your system.

PS: If you want a ready-made registry script which can do the task automatically, then download following ZIP file, extract it and then run the Install.reg file. It’ll ask for confirmation, accept it:

Download Registry Script

Published in: Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. HELP pls i tried this on windows XP 1024×768 resolution its working but its showing the 1st letter of any open window so i want to remove it so it only shows icon pls help me resolve it … 🙁 🙁

  2. ViGlance has been working fine, for the most part, on my Vista PC. However, when using Word or Excel (2007), every time I select a menu item, the title bar at the top flickers, and it’s really annoying and a strain on my eyes. I have to exit ViGlance to get it to stop.

    So, do you know what I can do other than exit ViGlance, or can you look into a possible fix for this?

    Thanks

  3. Can you please provide information what resource in my modified .msstyles/TEXTFILE to change to make Taskbar Buttons disappear.I still see first letter with my Visual Style,not with yours.

  4. .msstyles/TEXTFILE/

    [TaskBand::Toolbar.Button]
    ContentMargins = 6, 12, 9, 9

    Second value is responsible for letters on right side

  5. My pc went blank for some time. Now some of it’s come back but taskbars disappeared, How to get them back

  6. DIDN’T WORK FOR ME. INSTEAD, IT MADE THE ICONS HUGE! I ENTERED -255 MANUALLY. ALSO TRIED THE REGISTRY SCRIPT. MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE.

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