Taskbar size in newer builds). Select Preference: Never: Keeps icons at the default Windows 11 size. Always: Keeps icons permanently smaller. When taskbar is full: Automatically shrinks icons only when space is limited. Key Features of the Small Taskbar Update Better Space Utilization: Smaller icons allow for more apps to be pinned or opened before they are hidden in the overflow menu. Never Combine Mode: The smaller icons work in tandem with the "Never combined" mode, which displays application labels, making it easier to identify multiple open windows of the same app. Improved Taskbar Height: Recent updates in 2026 allow the taskbar itself to shrink, similar to Windows 10, rather than just shrinking the icons inside a large bar. Customization Options in 2026 12 sites Taskbar icons keep getting smaller | Microsoft Community Hub Aug 2, 2025 —
Acknowledging the feedback, Microsoft eventually began to roll out changes. A significant update in 2023 finally addressed the issue for some users by allowing the taskbar to be uncrowded or functionally adjusted, though a true "small icons" toggle identical to Windows 10 remained elusive for many. This slow response underscores a broader issue in software development: the prioritization of visual branding over user utility. While the large taskbar icons arguably look more modern and accessible to new users, they ignore the habits of the "expert" user who values screen efficiency above all else. windows 11 small taskbar icons