When you first boot up your Windows 11 PC, you’ll probably notice that the desktop icons look a little larger than they used to in Windows 10. For some people, that’s fine. But if you prefer a cleaner, more minimal look—or you just want more room on your desktop—you might want to shrink those icons down. Luckily, Windows 11 gives you plenty of ways to resize desktop icons, and it only takes a few clicks.
In this guide, we’ll walk through step-by-step methods to make desktop icons smaller in Windows 11. We’ll also look at a few extra customization tricks to make your desktop feel more “you.” Ready? Let’s dive in!
Why Resize Desktop Icons in Windows 11?
Before we jump into the how-to, let’s quickly talk about the why.
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More workspace: Smaller icons free up space for files, folders, and shortcuts.
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Aesthetic preference: Some people love a clean, minimalist look, and smaller icons help with that.
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Accessibility: On the flip side, some users may need bigger icons for better visibility, so it’s nice that Windows lets you adjust them both ways.
Think of it like adjusting your phone’s font size—you’re making the interface suit you, not the other way around.
Method 1: Resize Desktop Icons Using Right-Click Menu
Step 1: Right-Click on Your Desktop
Go to any blank spot on your desktop and right-click. This will bring up a quick menu.
Step 2: Select “View”
From the menu, hover over View.
Step 3: Choose Your Icon Size
You’ll see three preset options:
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Large icons
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Medium icons (the default)
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Small icons
Click Small icons, and your desktop will instantly adjust.
Method 2: Resize Desktop Icons with Keyboard and Mouse
This method is super quick and gives you more control than just three options.
How It Works
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Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard.
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Scroll your mouse wheel up to make icons larger or down to make them smaller.
This method lets you fine-tune the size instead of being stuck with only three choices. It’s like zooming in and out of a photo until it feels just right.
Method 3: Adjust Icon Size via Display Settings
If you want more control over scaling, head into the Settings app.
Step 1: Open Settings
Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Navigate to Display
Go to System > Display.
Step 3: Change Scale
Under the Scale & layout section, you’ll see options to adjust scaling (like 100%, 125%, or 150%). Changing this affects text, apps, and yes—desktop icons.
⚠️ Note: This method changes the size of everything, not just icons.
Method 4: Use File Explorer View Options
Did you know your desktop is technically just a folder in File Explorer? Yep! That means you can resize icons from there too.
Steps
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Open File Explorer.
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Go to This PC > Desktop.
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At the top, select the View tab.
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Pick from options like Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, List, or Details.
This gives you even more choices compared to the right-click method.
Method 5: Custom Scaling for Advanced Control
Want precise control over your icon sizes? You can set custom scaling.
Steps
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Open Settings > System > Display.
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Under Scale, click Advanced scaling settings.
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Enter a custom percentage (e.g., 110% or 115%).
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Restart your PC for changes to apply.
This is like turning your desktop into a tailored suit—perfectly fit for you.
How to Make Taskbar Icons Smaller in Windows 11
Icons on your taskbar are a different story, but you can shrink those too.
Steps
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Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
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Scroll to Taskbar behaviors.
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Change Taskbar size from Medium to Small.
Voilà—your taskbar now takes up less space!
How to Change Icon Spacing in Windows 11
Maybe the icons themselves are fine, but they feel too far apart. You can tweak that too.
Steps
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Press Windows + R and type
regedit, then press Enter. -
Navigate to:
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Find these values:
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IconSpacing (horizontal spacing)
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IconVerticalSpacing (vertical spacing)
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Change the numbers (default is -1125). Lower numbers = tighter spacing.
How to Restore Default Icon Size
Changed your mind? No problem.
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Right-click on desktop → View → Medium icons.
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Or reset scaling under Display settings to 100%.
Troubleshooting: Icons Not Resizing?
Sometimes Windows can be stubborn. If resizing doesn’t seem to work:
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Restart your PC—simple but effective.
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Update display drivers through Device Manager.
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Check scaling conflicts in Settings if apps look weird.
Extra Tip: Change Icon Style for a Fresh Look
Why stop at size? You can also customize how your icons look.
Steps
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Right-click desktop → Personalize.
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Go to Themes > Desktop icon settings.
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Select an icon and hit Change Icon.
This lets you completely refresh your desktop vibe.
Benefits of Smaller Icons
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Cleaner, less cluttered workspace.
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Easier multitasking with more items on screen.
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Feels more “modern” and minimalist.
When to Keep Icons Larger
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If you use a high-resolution display, larger icons may be easier to see.
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Accessibility needs—if your eyes get strained, don’t force tiny icons.
Quick Recap: 5 Ways to Resize Desktop Icons
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Right-click menu → View options.
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Ctrl + Mouse wheel.
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Settings → Display scaling.
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File Explorer → View options.
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Advanced scaling (custom size).
Conclusion
Making desktop icons smaller in Windows 11 is a super simple way to personalize your PC. Whether you prefer a minimalist workspace or just want more room for shortcuts, Windows gives you plenty of tools to adjust things exactly how you like. From quick right-click tweaks to advanced scaling settings, you’re in total control.
So go ahead—shrink those icons, tidy up your desktop, and make Windows 11 feel like your perfect workspace.
FAQs
1. Can I make desktop icons different sizes for different monitors?
Yes, but you’ll need to adjust scaling separately for each monitor under Display settings.
2. Why do my icons look blurry after resizing?
This usually happens if scaling is set to a non-standard percentage. Try sticking to 100%, 125%, or 150%.
3. Can I resize only some icons and not others?
Not directly—Windows applies icon size changes system-wide. But you can use third-party tools for per-icon customization.
4. How do I reset everything back to normal?
Right-click → View → Medium icons or reset scaling in Display settings to 100%.
5. Does resizing desktop icons affect performance?
Not at all! Changing icon size has no impact on PC performance—it’s purely a visual preference.