how to customize size of icons and text on task bar

valeriu cozlovschi 20 Reputation points
2026-11-02T03:20:06.25+00:00

in default setting are unreadable. in small even worse

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Task Bar
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steela 80 Reputation points
2026-11-02T06:53:38.6866667+00:00

Hello,

Right click on the taskbar, open Taskbar settings, then Taskbar behaviors, and make sure the smaller taskbar buttons option is set to Never. If you want everything bigger, go to Settings, then System, then Display, and raise the Scale to 125% or 150%. For bigger text only, use Settings, then Accessibility, then Text size. Hope this helps, and please mark it as helpful if it works for you.

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  1. EmilyS726 277.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-02T04:03:31.66+00:00

    Hello

    If you right click on the taskbar and launch taskbar settings, scroll down and find "Show smaller app icons", make sure it is set to "Never".

    That is the ONLY built-in settings in Windows that will allow the icon size on the taskbar to be adjusted.

    Otherwise you can use the AI suggestion as well, but that will change the overall size, not just the taskbar.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-02T03:20:42.7233333+00:00

    Increase Display scale to enlarge taskbar icons and use Accessibility > Text size to enlarge text; Windows 11 does not currently provide a taskbar-only “large” size above the default.

    Enlarge the taskbar icons

    1. Press Windows key + I.
    2. Select System > Display.
    3. Under Scale & layout, open Scale.
    4. Choose a larger percentage, such as 125%, 150%, or 175%.
    5. Keep Display resolution at the value marked Recommended to avoid blurry text.
    6. If an application does not update, sign out of Windows and sign back in.

    Scale enlarges the taskbar icons along with text, buttons, applications, and other screen elements.^1^

    If you use multiple monitors, select each monitor at the top of Settings > System > Display, then set its Scale separately.^2^

    Enlarge text further

    To increase text without making icons and applications larger:

    1. Press Windows key + U.
    2. Select Text size.
    3. Move the slider to the right while checking the preview.
    4. Select Apply.

    This enlarges text across Windows and most applications.^3^

    Taskbar-size limitation

    The Show smaller taskbar buttons setting only controls when Windows reduces icon size—When taskbar is full, Never, or Always. It cannot enlarge icons beyond their normal size.^4^

    Since both the default and small settings are unreadable for you, leave that option at its current/default setting and use Display scale instead. Current taskbar-specific sizing provides a Small option that reduces both taskbar height and icons, but no corresponding larger-than-default option.^5^

    For temporary enlargement, press Windows key + Plus (+) to start Magnifier; press Windows key + Esc to close it.^6^

    References

    1. Appendix D: Set up your device for screen comfort
    2. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/display-graphics/change-your-screen-resolution-and-layout-in-windows)
    3. Make text and apps bigger | Microsoft Support
    4. June 26, 2025—KB5060829 (OS Build 26100.4484) Preview | Microsoft Support
    5. September 22, 2026—KB5124006 (OS Build 28000.3086) Preview | Microsoft Support
    6. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/change-the-size-of-text-in-windows)
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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