Windows 11 does not offer a normal Settings option for changing the taskbar height on many builds. Older Windows 11 versions responded to a hidden Registry value named TaskbarSi, where 0 meant small, 1 meant default, and 2 meant large. Microsoft has changed taskbar behaviour over time, so this tweak may work only partially—or not at all—on newer builds. Use it carefully, back up the Registry key, and know how to reverse the change.
Quick answer
Start with the least invasive method, test the result, and make one change at a time. Back up important settings before Registry, driver, or administrator-level changes.
Before editing the Registry
The Registry controls Windows configuration. A typo in the wrong key can affect Explorer, the taskbar, or sign-in behaviour. Create a restore point and export the exact key before changing anything.
What TaskbarSi values mean
0— Small taskbar1— Default taskbar2— Large taskbar
The icon size, taskbar height, notification area, touch layout, and alignment may not scale perfectly together.
Step 1: Check your Windows 11 build
- Press Win + R.
- Type
winver. - Note the Windows version and OS build.
If TaskbarSi has no effect, the most likely reason is that the current taskbar implementation no longer honours the value.
Step 2: Create a restore point
- Search for Create a restore point.
- Select the Windows system drive.
- Choose Create.
- Name it something clear, such as Before TaskbarSi change.
Step 3: Open the correct Registry key
- Press Win + R.
- Type
regeditand press Enter. - Approve the User Account Control prompt.
- Go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AdvancedThis key affects the currently signed-in user.
Step 4: Export the key as a backup
- Right-click Advanced.
- Select Export.
- Save the file somewhere easy to find.
To restore it later, double-click the exported .reg file and restart Explorer.
Step 5: Create or edit TaskbarSi
- Right-click an empty area in the right pane.
- Select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it
TaskbarSi. - Double-click it.
- Select Decimal.
- Enter
0,1, or2. - Select OK.
Use only the three expected values. Other values are not a supported way to create a custom height.
Step 6: Restart Windows Explorer
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Find Windows Explorer.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
The desktop and taskbar may disappear briefly. If the change does not appear, sign out and sign back in or restart the PC.
How to restore the default taskbar size
Return to the same Registry key and either:
- Set
TaskbarSito1, or - Delete
TaskbarSi.
Restart Windows Explorer afterward.
Why TaskbarSi may not work
- The Windows build no longer reads the value.
- The taskbar was redesigned in a feature update.
- A third-party taskbar customisation tool is overriding Explorer behaviour.
- The value was created in the wrong Registry path.
- Explorer was not restarted after the edit.
Common display problems after changing the value
You may see clipped notification icons, an oversized system tray, alignment issues, touch-target problems, or text that no longer fits correctly. Restore the default value if the layout becomes unstable.
Safer alternatives
If the Registry tweak does not work, consider the following supported options:
- Change display scaling in Settings → System → Display.
- Use a higher or lower screen resolution only when it matches the monitor correctly.
- Turn taskbar auto-hide on or off in Personalization settings.
- Change taskbar alignment and icon visibility using supported Windows settings.
Display scaling changes the size of the full Windows interface, not just the taskbar.
Should you use third-party taskbar tools?
Third-party tools can restore older layouts or expose more controls, but they hook into Explorer and may break after Windows updates. Use only well-known software, create a restore point, and keep an uninstall path ready. Do not install unknown Explorer patches from random download sites.
If the taskbar becomes frozen or blank
Restart Windows Explorer first. If Start or Search also stops responding, use the Windows 11 frozen Search bar troubleshooting guide. Avoid applying multiple Registry tweaks at once because that makes the cause difficult to identify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TaskbarSi still work on every Windows 11 version?
No. It may work on some older builds and have no effect on newer ones.
Can I create a custom taskbar height?
TaskbarSi supports only the small, default, and large values where the tweak is still honoured.
Will this affect every user account?
No. The key is under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, so it normally affects only the current Windows account.
Can a Windows update undo the change?
Yes. A feature update may reset the value or ignore it completely.
Official references
For platform-specific behavior and recovery options, compare this guide with the current documentation from the relevant official source.