Changing the Size of the Taskbar

by Barry Dysert
(last updated August 10, 2015)

If you have many windows open simultaneously, you may find that you'd like your Taskbar to be bigger so as to better accommodate the windows' icons. To change the size of the taskbar, right-click on an empty space on the Taskbar and make sure "Lock the Taskbar" is not checked. With the Taskbar unlocked, move your cursor near the top edge of the Taskbar (assuming your Taskbar is at the bottom of the screen) until the cursor becomes a double-headed arrow. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Getting ready to resize the Taskbar.

Click and drag the mouse up, and the Taskbar will get taller. When you have the Taskbar at the desired height, release the mouse, right-click on an empty space on the Taskbar, and select "Lock the Taskbar". The Taskbar will now remain your specified size until you resize it again.

 This tip (12522) applies to Windows 7 and 8.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 30 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer.  He is currently a senior software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Disabling a Laptop's Touchpad

If you never use your laptop's touchpad, you may want to disable it so that you don't accidentally effect unintentional mouse ...

Discover More

Ending a Process Using the Task Manager

One of the many functions of the Windows Task Manager is to allow you to control processes running on your system. If you ...

Discover More

Making a File Read-Only

If you have an important file that you want to be sure doesn't get accidentally edited, you can set it to read-only. This tip ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Understanding the Start Menu

When you want to start using Windows for real, you'll typically need to go through the Start menu to do it. This tip ...

Discover More

Changing How Tasks Appear on the Taskbar

The Windows Taskbar is much more robust than it was in previous versions of the operating system. One of its many features is ...

Discover More

Pinning a File to the Taskbar

In an effort to make your computer use more efficient you can pin non-executable files to the taskbar for easy access. This ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is three minus 2?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2017 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.