Windows 11 Taskbar Gets a Size-Reducing Feature for Better Screen Space Management
Windows 11 users with multiple programs open on their taskbars can now benefit from a feature aimed at freeing up more screen space. With a growing number of open apps, especially on larger monitors like ultrawides, taskbars can quickly become crowded. However, a new feature in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build offers an elegant solution. According to a recent post on the Windows Insider blog, this feature introduces three options for taskbar icons: shrinking them automatically when the taskbar fills up, making the icons permanently smaller, or even disabling them altogether. This functionality is already present in the Beta and Dev channels, signaling that it could be a permanent addition to the upcoming general release of Windows 11.
Although this feature looks promising, especially for those managing multiple programs, it comes on the heels of various other changes to the Start menu. While the taskbar update appears solid, other features in testing seem less certain about their inclusion in the final release. As Microsoft continues to refine the user interface, some long-standing concerns remain. For example, users are still waiting for basic functionality, like the ability to move the taskbar to the top of the screen, without relying on registry tweaks or third-party apps—something that was readily available in Windows 10.
