[Tip] How to Unlock and Resize the Taskbar in Windows 11
In Windows 11, the Taskbar is highly restricted and comes with lots of limitations. One of these limitations is the inability of unlocking the Taskbar and resizing it according to our requirements. This article will help you in changing the size of Windows 11 Taskbar. You’ll also be able to unlock and increase the size of Windows 11 Taskbar to enable multiple row support.
In Windows 11, when you right-click on the Taskbar, you get only one option “Taskbar settings” in the context menu. The option to unlock the Taskbar and resize has been removed. In previous Windows versions, users could unlock the Taskbar and resize it to enable multi-row functionality to show multiple items and toolbars in Taskbar.
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Changing Windows 11 Taskbar Size
In this article, we are going to share a hidden secret Registry tweak which will help you in changing size of Windows 11 Taskbar. Using this tweak, you can resize Windows 11 Taskbar to small, medium and large size as shown in following image:
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It’ll help you in showing the Taskbar in more accurate size on high resolution screens or large DPI display scaling.
Later in this article, we’ll also discuss how to unlock the Windows 11 Taskbar and restore the ability to manually resize it using mouse clicks as shown in following screenshot:
In this way, you can show program buttons on one row and other items such as toolbars, etc on other separate rows on Windows 11 Taskbar.
If you also want to change the size of Taskbar in Windows 11, following methods will help you:
METHOD 1: Resize Windows 11 Taskbar Using Registry Editor
If you want to change Windows 11 Taskbar size to small or large as shown in above screenshot, following registry tweak will help you:
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1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type regedit in RUN box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.
2. Now go to following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
3. In right-side pane, right-click on empty area and select “New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value” option. Set the new DWORD name as TaskbarSi and set its value to any of following:
- Set the value to 0 to make the Taskbar Small
- Set the value to 1 to make the Taskbar Medium which is the default normal size of Taskbar
- Set the value to 2 to make the Taskbar Large
4. Sign out or restart Windows Explorer using any method given in this article to take effects.
After restarting Explorer, you’ll see the new size of Windows 11 Taskbar.
PS: To restore default size of Taskbar, either delete the TaskbarSi DWORD or set its value to 1.
NOTE: When you set the Taskbar size to Small, you might notice a small glitch or bug. The clock and other notification area icons in Taskbar might look misaligned i.e. a few pixels down. It’s a known issue in newer builds of Windows 11.
METHOD 2: Resize Windows 11 Taskbar Automatically Using Registry Script
This is the fastest and easiest way to resize the Taskbar in Windows 11 automatically. If you don’t want to modify registry yourself, we have created a ready-made Registry script file for you to apply the required Registry tweak automatically.
Download following ZIP file, extract it using 7-Zip or other file archive utilities and run the extracted Reg file:
The script file will ask for confirmation, accept it. Restart your computer, sign out or restart Explorer using any method given in this article to take effects.
After restart, you’ll see new resized Taskbar in your Windows 11 device.
The ZIP file also contains UNDO file to restore default settings i.e. restore default Taskbar size in Windows 11 again.
METHOD 3: Restore Classic Taskbar in Windows 11 to Bring Back Unlock and Resize Features
You can also restore Windows 10 style old classic Taskbar in Windows 11 which will bring back all missing options in Taskbar right-click menu such as unlock option, Task Manager, etc.
Once you restore classic Taskbar, you can right-click on the Taskbar and you’ll see “Lock the Taskbar” option back in context menu. Uncheck the option and you’ll be able to resize Taskbar in Windows 11.
Following exclusive article will help you in restoring classic Taskbar in Windows 11 operating system:
How to Restore or Enable Classic Taskbar in Windows 11 (All Versions)
Also Check:
[Tip] How to Move the Taskbar in Windows 11
[Tip] Restore Full Classic Context Menu in Windows 11
[Tip] Disable Command Bar and Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon Toolbar in Windows 11
Hello, Vishal, from Melbourne (Australia),
I have four large 1900×1200 monitors. With Windows 10 and earlier Windows versions, I configure the taskbar to be on the bottom edge of the “main display” and on the left/right/top edges for the other three monitors, dependent on which edge is most convenient for each individual monitor. The default of having the taskbar on the bottom edge is a very unsatisfactory choice for these three.
My understanding is that Windows 11 does not support this. Why does Microsoft take long-existing features like this away? I will not upgrade from Windows 10 because of it (and several other usability changes). Have you found any way to resurrect this capability?
Regards, Tony Austin
^^ Did you try the classic Taskbar?
https://www.askvg.com/tip-restore-windows-10-classic-taskbar-in-windows-11-along-with-classic-start-menu/
The resize works, but small taskbar break the notification area – clock is still on 2 rows – can se only a part of it, also same for network and sound icons – can see only half of icon.
You title said “How to Unlock and Resize the Taskbar in Windows 11” but you only show how to resize… How do you unlock the Task Bar?
^^ Check out METHOD 3.