Unlock Hidden Windows 10 Secret: Shrink Your Taskbar in Seconds!
If you are a Windows user, you are probably already familiar with the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. The taskbar is a staple of the Windows operating system and provides quick access to your most frequently used apps, as well as helpful features like the system clock and volume controls.
But did you know that you can actually shrink your taskbar to save screen real estate and make your desktop look much cleaner and more organized? This is a hidden feature of Windows 10 that many users don’t know about, but it’s incredibly easy to use and can make a big difference in the way you use your computer.
Here’s how to shrink your taskbar in seconds:
Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar. This will bring up a context menu with a variety of options.
From the context menu, select “Taskbar settings.”
In the Taskbar settings window, look for the setting labeled “Taskbar size.” By default, this will be set to “Medium.”
Click the drop-down menu next to “Taskbar size” and select “Small.” You will immediately see the taskbar shrink down to a smaller size.
If you want to further customize your taskbar size, you can use the slider labeled “Use small taskbar buttons” to adjust the size of the icons on the taskbar.
That’s it! With just a few simple clicks, you can shrink your taskbar down to a smaller size and give yourself some extra screen real estate to work with. This can be especially helpful if you have a smaller monitor or if you tend to have a lot of windows open at once.
But shrinking the taskbar isn’t the only customization option available to you. Windows 10 is packed with features and settings that can help you fine-tune your computer and get the most out of your experience.
Whether you want to tweak your display settings, change your default applications, or unlock other hidden features, there are plenty of resources available online to help you explore all that Windows 10 has to offer.
So why not take a few minutes and experiment with some of the settings and features of Windows 10? You might be surprised at how much you can customize and optimize your computer to suit your individual preferences and needs.
In conclusion, shrinking your taskbar in Windows 10 is a quick and easy way to save screen real estate and make your desktop look more streamlined and organized. If you haven’t tried it yet, why not give it a shot and see how it works for you? And don’t forget to explore all the other customization options available in Windows 10 – you never know what hidden features you might unlock!
This article explains how to change the size of the Windows 10 taskbar, how to make its icons smaller to create a miniature taskbar, and how to hide it for the most screen space.
What to Know
- Standard size: Right-click taskbar > uncheck Lock the taskbar > drag taskbar.Really small: Right-click taskbar > Taskbar settings > Use small taskbar buttons.Disappear: Open taskbar settings > Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode.
How to Change a Taskbar That’s Too Big
A huge taskbar takes up too much of the screen. Here’s how to get it back to its regular size:
- Unlock the taskbar if it’s currently locked. Do this by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting Lock the taskbar. No check mark means it’s unlocked.
- Every instance of taskbars in a multi-monitor setup will be plural, such as Lock all taskbars.
- Click and hold the top of the taskbar where the desktop and taskbar meet. When the mouse hovers over this area, it should change to a double-sided arrow.
- Drag downward to make the taskbar smaller. Let go when it’s at the size you want (stopping at the bottom of the screen is the smallest it can be with this method).
- At this point, you can lock the taskbar again by reversing step 1.
How to Make the Taskbar Even Smaller
The click-and-drag method will only go so far. If you want the Windows 10 taskbar to be even smaller, you have to edit its settings.
Unlock the taskbar if it’s currently locked. Do this by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting Lock the taskbar. No check mark means it’s unlocked.
Every instance of taskbars in a multi-monitor setup will be plural, such as Lock all taskbars.
Click and hold the top of the taskbar where the desktop and taskbar meet. When the mouse hovers over this area, it should change to a double-sided arrow.
Drag downward to make the taskbar smaller. Let go when it’s at the size you want (stopping at the bottom of the screen is the smallest it can be with this method).
At this point, you can lock the taskbar again by reversing step 1.
- Right-click the taskbar and chose Taskbar settings.
- Locate the Use small taskbar buttons option from the right pane and select the button next to it. The taskbar will immediately become noticeably smaller.
Other Tips
Another setting is auto-hide the taskbar, which makes it disappear unless you move your mouse over the taskbar area. Then you can see more of your screen at once and reduce distractions but still get access in seconds. Do this by selecting Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode from the taskbar settings screen.
Right-click the taskbar and chose Taskbar settings.
Locate the Use small taskbar buttons option from the right pane and select the button next to it. The taskbar will immediately become noticeably smaller.
Another way to make the taskbar seem less cluttered is to combine buttons and hide every button’s label. When you do this, every open program converts into a small button, and each program groups multiple instances of itself within that one button. It creates a much cleaner taskbar which is easier on the eyes and feels smaller. To get this, return to the taskbar settings and enable Always, hide labels in the Combine taskbar buttons menu.
Why Change the Taskbar Size?
For most people, the taskbar rests at the bottom of the screen and goes virtually unnoticed, sitting there as a static piece of Windows for opening programs and reading the date and time. But power users know there’s a little more to it.
If having a more open screen is vital to you, then you’ve probably figured out how to move the taskbar. It can display at the top or either side of the screen or even on all your connected monitors.
In our experience, moving the taskbar can sometimes cause it to be a bit thicker than it was in its previous position. If this happens, the only way around it is to resize it, which, as you read above, is pretty easy to do.
Another reason to make the Windows 10 taskbar smaller or larger is if a software glitch or other issue accidentally resized it. People with kids will also know leaving them unmonitored on a computer for a few hours results in you having to undo, redo, and reset various menus and settings they somehow managed to alter. Fortunately, editing the taskbar size isn’t hard.
- How do I make Windows icons smaller?
- To change icon sizes on the desktop, right-click any empty space on the desktop > View > choose an icon size.
- How do I hide the Windows 10 taskbar?
- Right-click any blank area in the taskbar, then select Taskbar settings. Next, turn on the Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode toggle. The taskbar will remain hidden unless you hover over it.
To change icon sizes on the desktop, right-click any empty space on the desktop > View > choose an icon size.
Right-click any blank area in the taskbar, then select Taskbar settings. Next, turn on the Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode toggle. The taskbar will remain hidden unless you hover over it.
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