Looking to shrink the taskbar in Windows 11? Don’t worry, it’s a simple process that both advanced and basic users can easily accomplish. With the numerous updates and changes in the latest version of Windows, it’s understandable if some features aren’t immediately intuitive. But fear not, shrinking the taskbar in Windows 11 is quick and easy. Just follow these steps and you’ll have a smaller taskbar in no time.
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What is Windows 11?
Enhance your productivity with the latest offer from Microsoft: Windows 11. With its numerous new features, such as customizable window layouts, you’ll be able to stay organized and work more efficiently. The appearance of the operating system has also undergone a significant update, including a redesigned taskbar that can be easily resized to fit your preferences. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to use the Registry Editor to adjust the size of the taskbar in Windows 11.
Why shrink the taskbar in Windows 11?
If you’re a Windows 11 user, you may have noticed that the taskbar can be adjusted in size. Some users may prefer a smaller taskbar, while others may prefer a larger one. Either way, the process for adjusting the size is the same. You may have previously used other operating systems such as Linux or MacOS, which may have different width settings, leading to the habit of wanting to adjust the taskbar size in Windows 11. If you’re wondering how to reduce the taskbar in Windows 11, don’t worry – it’s a simple process. Just follow a few steps and you’ll be able to make the taskbar smaller or larger according to your preference.
Instructions for reducing the size of the taskbar in Windows 11
Learn how to reduce the size of the taskbar in Windows 11 using the Registry Editor. To access the Registry Editor, simply press the Windows key and search for “Registry Editor” in the start menu. From there, follow these steps:
To shrink the taskbar in Windows 11, follow these steps:
- Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar.
- From the context menu, select “Taskbar Settings.”
- In the Taskbar Settings window, scroll down to the “Taskbar” section.
- Under “Taskbar,” you will see a switch labeled “Use small taskbar buttons.”
- Turn this switch on to shrink the taskbar.
Alternatively, you can also shrink the taskbar by holding down the “Ctrl” key and using the mouse scroll wheel to adjust the taskbar size.
You’ll need to restart your computer to see the changes to the taskbar size. If you want to make additional changes later, you’ll also need to restart your computer to see the updated taskbar size.
How to remove taskbar widgets in Windows 11?
Learn how to disable widgets in Windows 11 for a less cluttered taskbar. While some users may find widgets useful, others may consider them unnecessary and annoying. If you’re tired of dealing with pop-up notifications and difficulty hiding widgets, you can easily turn off this service. Follow these simple steps to remove widgets from your taskbar and streamline your computing experience.
To remove a widget from the taskbar in Windows 11, follow these steps:
- Right-click the taskbar and select “Taskbar Settings”.
- In the “Taskbar Settings” window, click on the “Turn system icons on or off” option under the “Notification area” section.
- In the “Turn system icons on or off” window, you’ll see a list of all the widgets that are currently displayed on the taskbar. To remove a widget, simply toggle the switch for that widget to the “Off” position.
- Once you’ve turned off all the widgets you want to remove, click the “Apply” button to apply your changes.
That’s it! The widgets you turned off will now be removed from the taskbar. If you ever want to add a widget back to the taskbar, simply follow the same steps and toggle the switch for that widget to the “On” position.
Learn how to customize the taskbar in Windows 11 by rearranging icons
Windows 11 introduces a brand new taskbar icon arrangement, similar to what Apple has used in MacOS for its computers. If you want to centralize your icons on the taskbar, there are options available to customize it to your preference. Keep in mind that some users may have differing opinions on this feature, but Microsoft has given users the ability to personalize the taskbar to their liking.
To rearrange the icons on the taskbar in Windows 11, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”.
- In the taskbar settings window, scroll down to the “Taskbar location on screen” section.
- Under “Taskbar location on screen”, select the dropdown menu and choose the location that you want the taskbar to be in (e.g., bottom, left, right, top).
- To rearrange the icons on the taskbar, click and hold on the icon that you want to move and drag it to the desired position. You can also right-click on the icon and select “Pin to taskbar” to pin it to the taskbar.
You can also rearrange the icons on the taskbar by clicking and holding on the taskbar and dragging it to the desired location on the screen.
How to hide the taskbar in Windows
If you prefer a larger screen and want to avoid distractions, you may be interested in hiding the taskbar in Windows 11. This can be easily done by accessing the settings and does not require the use of Registry Editor. Keep in mind that everyone has different preferences for their taskbar, so feel free to customize it to suit your needs and work style.
- Press the Windows key .
- Enter Settings .
- Go to the Personalization section on the left.
- Select the Taskbar category .
Here you will find the option to make the taskbar disappear when you are not using it. Here you will also be able to adjust the position of the bar.
What is Search in Windows 11?
Windows 11 includes a built-in search engine that was also available in Windows 10. It is worth learning to use this feature as it can be very helpful for everyday tasks such as quickly searching for and running programs, finding files on your computer, or searching the internet.
Shrinking the taskbar in Windows 11 is a straightforward process that is easy for both advanced users and beginners. Even if you are new to the system, it’s just a matter of familiarizing yourself with the new interface. In addition to shrinking the taskbar, you can also customize it by setting it to disappear or disabling certain widgets. These personalization options are available in Windows 11 and can be easily used to tailor the taskbar to your preferences.
image source: Windows /Unsplash
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