The taskbar is an essential component of the Windows 10 interface, providing quick access to programs, settings, and notifications. If you find the taskbar too small or want to make it easier to interact with, you can resize it to make it bigger. A larger taskbar can improve accessibility, making it easier to click on icons and access important features.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to make the taskbar bigger in Windows 10.
Method 1: Resize the Taskbar Using Settings
One of the easiest ways to resize the taskbar is through the Settings menu in Windows 10. Here’s how to do it:
Steps:
- Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar (the area where no icons are located).
- From the context menu, click Taskbar settings. This will open the Taskbar settings window.
- In the settings window, look for the option that says Use small taskbar buttons. This will be turned on by default.
- Turn off the “Use small taskbar buttons” toggle. Once you disable this option, the taskbar will expand and become bigger in size.
- Close the Settings window, and your taskbar will immediately adjust its size.
By turning off the “small taskbar buttons,” the icons and the overall taskbar will grow larger, giving you more space and making it easier to interact with.
Method 2: Resize the Taskbar by Dragging
If you want to further adjust the height of the taskbar manually, you can do so by dragging its edges.
Steps:
- Unlock the Taskbar:
- Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and ensure that Lock the taskbar is unchecked. If it’s checked, click on it to uncheck and unlock the taskbar.
- Resize the Taskbar:
- Hover your cursor over the top edge of the taskbar (the area just above the icons and buttons). The cursor will change to a double-headed arrow.
- Click and hold, then drag the taskbar upward to make it bigger. The height will increase as you drag, making the taskbar taller.
- Lock the Taskbar:
- Once you’re happy with the new size, right-click the taskbar again and select Lock the taskbar to prevent any accidental changes.
By dragging, you can create a larger, taller taskbar, making it easier to manage your icons, pinned apps, and system tray icons.
Method 3: Change Icon Size in the Taskbar
Another way to make your taskbar look bigger is by adjusting the size of the icons on it. If you want the icons to appear larger, follow these steps:
Steps:
- Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
- In the Taskbar settings window, toggle off the Use small taskbar buttons option (if it’s not already off).
- If you want more control over the icon size, you can also adjust the icon size for the Start menu and other apps under Display settings:
- Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
- Under Scale and layout, choose a larger scaling option like 125% or 150%.
- This will make the icons and text across Windows, including the taskbar, appear larger.
Method 4: Change Screen Resolution
Adjusting the screen resolution can also affect the size of elements on your taskbar. Lowering the screen resolution can make everything larger, including the taskbar.
Steps:
- Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
- Under Display resolution, choose a lower resolution (for example, 1280 x 720).
- Click Apply and confirm the change.
- The icons and taskbar will become larger, but some applications might also scale differently with the resolution change.
Note: Lowering the resolution can impact the quality of visuals, so it’s best to experiment and adjust back to your preferred settings if necessary.
Conclusion
Making the taskbar bigger in Windows 10 is a simple process, whether you want to resize it using Settings, drag it manually, or adjust the icon size. These changes can improve usability, especially if you have difficulty with smaller taskbar elements or prefer a more spacious interface.
By using the methods mentioned in this guide, you can personalize the taskbar to fit your needs, ensuring a more comfortable and efficient experience on your PC.