In the latest Windows Insider Preview builds, you can unlock hidden features that allow taskbar icon sizes to adjust automatically based on available taskbar space. This feature not only enhances the aesthetic of your desktop but also optimizes space utilization. Here is a detailed guide on how to activate this feature.
1. What is Taskbar Icon Adjustment?
This feature lets you choose from three display modes for taskbar icons:
- Always Small: Icons remain small regardless of available space.
- Always Large: Icons remain large at all times.
- Adjust When Full: Icons automatically resize when the taskbar runs out of space.
2. How to Activate the Hidden Feature.
To enable this feature, you’ll need an open-source tool called ViveTool. Follow these steps:
2.1 Download ViveTool.
- Open Microsoft Edge and navigate to the Bing search engine.
- Search for “ViveTool” and open its GitHub page.
- Download the latest version, such as `ViVeTool-v0.3.3.zip`, to your computer.
2.2 Extract the Tool.
- Open the downloaded zip file and right-click to select “Extract All“.
- Once extracted, locate the `ViveTool.exe` file.
2.3 Run Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Press Windows + S, type “Command Prompt” and right-click to select “Run as Administrator“.
2.4 Navigate to the Tool Directory.
- Use the `CD` command followed by the extracted folder’s path to navigate to the ViveTool directory.
- Press Enter to confirm the path.
2.5 Enable the Hidden Feature.
- Enter the following command to activate the taskbar icon adjustment feature:
vivetool /enable /id:29785184
- A success message will indicate the feature has been enabled.
2.6 Check Feature Status.
- Use the following command to verify if the feature is enabled:
vivetool /query /id:29785184
- If the status shows “Enabled“, the feature is successfully activated.
2.7 Restart Your Computer.
- To apply the changes, restart your computer by selecting “Restart” from the Start menu.
3. Adjust Taskbar Icon Size Settings.
After restarting, follow these steps to adjust taskbar icon settings:
- Right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize“.
- In the Settings window, click on “Taskbar“.
- Expand “Taskbar Behaviors” and locate the “Show small taskbar buttons” option.
- Choose from “Always“, “Never” or “When taskbar is full” based on your preference.
4. Conclusion.
By following these steps, you can unlock and activate this hidden feature to automatically adjust taskbar icon sizes. This is particularly useful for multitasking and enhances your Windows experience.
5. Demo Video.
You can watch the following demo video by select the subtitle to your preferred subtitle language.