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:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/Default_Taskbar.jpg

After applying this tutorial:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/vishaal_here/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

Complete list of AskVG articles



This article was posted in Windows Vista, Windows XP.


Share |


Related Articles

Popular Articles



126 Comments

  • VG

    ^^ Although its not possible but you can increase the height by increasing value of "Caption Buttons" in Desktop Properties. Set it to 35.

    PS: It'll also increase the titlebar buttons and system tray icons size.

  • thanks to the replie i have tested but it's not very beautifull so the only way it's to make a new picture in the theme with each estates more heighter than the original.

  • Can you make the icons larger? I hope an application that does the function of Aero Peek comes for Vista soon.

  • Cool, thank you VG! :)

  • Thx VG, very cool as always!

  • This is awesome! Great work!
    Also, you know if you make the taskbar large in XP?
    (I mean, unlock the taskbar, right-click on the Quick Launch bar, and choose View and Large Icons) Will the taskbar buttons become large as well?

    Thanks anyway!

    TSR-Pr.deviantART.com

  • How to return it normal again please help

  • VG

    ^^ Please refer to Point 4. Delete the "MinWidth" String value.

  • @VG I think you should make a reg hack for that. it'll be more simple to remove it. =p some people can delete the wrong things without knowing it sometimes. xD great post by the way. =p

  • I'm using Windows Vista SP1

    when I go to WindowMetrics it doesn't show me MinWidth, How come it doesent appear to be there??? can anyone help me''

Add a Comment

NOTE: If you can't see your comment, please be patient. It'll appear as soon as we approve it.


Create an avatar that will appear with your comment.