How to move desktop icons closer in win 11 PLEASE READ DETAILS before answering

Create the missing IconSpacing and IconVerticalSpacing string values under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics, set both initially to -1128, and restart Windows.

Create the missing values

Registry changes can cause problems if entered incorrectly, so export this key first: in Registry Editor, select WindowMetrics, then choose File > Export and save the .reg file.^1^

1. Press Windows key + R, enter regedit, and select OK.
2. Go to:

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
   

   The key is named WindowMetrics—one word.
3. In the right pane, right-click an empty area and select New > String Value.
4. Name it exactly:

      IconSpacing
   

5. Double-click it and set Value data to:

      -1128
   

6. Create another String Value named:

      IconVerticalSpacing
   

7. Set its value to:

      -1128
   

8. Close Registry Editor and restart the PC.

IconSpacing controls horizontal spacing; Microsoft’s Win32 documentation identifies it as the spacing between icons.^2^ IconVerticalSpacing controls the height of the icon arrangement cell.^3^ The -1128 setting has also been used successfully for Windows 11 desktop-spacing problems.^4^

If you want them even closer

There is no Microsoft-supported Settings control for independently selecting exact horizontal and vertical spacing, and the available official documentation does not specify a safe registry-value range for Windows 11. Therefore:

• Start with -1128 and check the result after restarting.
• Avoid extreme or guessed values that could overlap icons or labels.
• To undo the change, import the .reg backup using Registry Editor > File > Import.^1^

For a supported alternative that fits more icons without editing spacing directly, right-click the desktop and select View > Small icons. You can also hold Ctrl and use the mouse wheel to resize them.^5^

References

1. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/backup-recovery/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows#back-up-the-registry-manually)
2. Win32_Desktop class
3. SystemInformation.IconVerticalSpacing Property-Definition
4. Bug with desktop icons after updating to W11 24H2 - Microsoft Q&A
5. Customize the Desktop Icons in Windows | Microsoft Support