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:

After applying this tutorial:

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

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

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This article was posted in Windows Vista, Windows XP.

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126 Comments

betaluva

THANKYOU ! damn sweet ! : )
moxin

plz can u tell me how to hide the icon but not the text in the taskbar...
thnx in advance.
Robert

My windows slowly minimize and I cannot stop them from doing this. It's either full screen or just the top part of the window.

How do I correct this?
VG

^^ Are you using any eye candy software like WindowBlinds, WindowsFX, etc?
Robert Haluska

No...
VG

^^ You can disable the window animations from "System Properties -> Advanced -> Settings".
smile4Dr

hi
I have not :MinWidth
????????????????????????
suckerforacompy

Hey, smile4Dr, it doesn't matter if you don't already have MinWidth in your registry. Just add it as per instructions and you're set. Oh and log off or reboot your computer to have it take effect.

Just A FYI.
JOHNNY

dobre dobre wsio działa ,dzięki
Secret

Thanks Man.... Its Nice..