After years of persistent user requests and third-party workarounds, Microsoft has finally delivered a native taskbar size control in Windows 11. The June 26, 2026, release of Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8758 introduces a dedicated “Taskbar Size” setting in the Settings app, allowing testers to shrink the taskbar and its icons to a compact form factor reminiscent of earlier Windows versions. This move signals a meaningful shift in Microsoft's approach to customization—one that Windows enthusiasts have been demanding since the launch of Windows 11 in 2021.
The new build, seeded to Windows Insiders enrolled in the experimental preview track, adds a long-lost capability that many considered a regression when the modern taskbar debuted. By offering small, medium, and large options directly within Personalization settings, Microsoft not only simplifies the experience but also acknowledges that one-size-fits-all does not satisfy power users, multi-monitor setups, or anyone who simply prefers a tidier desktop.
The Long Road Back to Taskbar Customization
Windows 11’s initial release stripped away much of the taskbar flexibility that had been a hallmark of the operating system. Users could no longer drag the taskbar to the sides or top of the screen, right-click context menus were pared down, and perhaps most controversially, the option to use small icons—present in Windows 10—was completely removed. While the operating system introduced a centered Start menu and modern aesthetics, many felt the cost was too high: a rigid, oversized taskbar that consumed precious vertical pixels, especially on laptops with 16:9 or 16:10 displays.
Community outcry was immediate and sustained. The Feedback Hub collected tens of thousands of upvotes for requests like “Bring back small taskbar icons” and “Allow taskbar size customization.” Third-party developers rushed to fill the gap with tools such as ExplorerPatcher, StartAllBack, and RoundedTB, some of which continue to be used by millions. However, relying on unofficial utilities introduces compatibility risks, stability issues, and a perpetual game of cat-and-mouse with Windows updates. For many, a Microsoft-provided solution remained the holy grail.
Insider builds in 2024 and 2025 teased limited taskbar improvements—for example, customizable notification area icons and a more granular overflow menu—but a dedicated size toggle seemed elusive. Build 26300.8758 changes that narrative entirely.
What’s New in Build 26300.8758
The centerpiece of this experimental build is the Taskbar Size setting, located under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. Early testers report three distinct presets: Small, Medium (default), and Large. Selecting “Small” immediately reduces the taskbar height from the standard 48 pixels to approximately 32 pixels on most displays, scaling down the Start button, search box, pinned icons, system tray, and clock proportionally. The visual result is strikingly similar to the compact taskbar mode that was available in Windows 10 and older versions.
Critically, this adjustment affects all taskbar elements uniformly. Unlike some third-party modifications that can leave misaligned icons or broken flyouts, Microsoft’s implementation maintains proper alignment across built-in and third-party application icons. The system tray, network, volume, and battery indicators also shrink gracefully, retaining their click targets. Toolbars and shortcuts pinned to the taskbar adapt, though widgets and Copilot buttons (where enabled) remain fixed in size—a design choice that may frustrate some users who want a consistent look.
Beyond the visual tweak, the build includes a few other quality-of-life improvements:
- File Explorer reliability fixes: Multiple crash scenarios when opening large libraries or rapidly switching between folders have been addressed. The address bar now handles exceptionally long paths without truncation errors, and the context menu’s performance on low-spec machines has been improved. These fixes may be separate from the taskbar features but are noted in the release notes accompanying the build.
- Task Manager stability: A memory leak that occurred after prolonged use of the Performance tab has been patched.
- Experimental Preview watermark: Like all flights in this ring, the build carries a desktop watermark and time-bomb expiration, reminding testers it is not meant for production machines.
It's important to emphasize that Build 26300.8758 belongs to the Experimental Preview branch, which Microsoft uses to test features that may never reach general availability. Past experimental builds have introduced concepts like floating taskbars, grouped widgets, or alternative Start menu layouts that were later shelved. However, the practicality and high demand for a taskbar size setting make this feature a strong candidate for promotion to the Dev, Beta, and eventually release channels.
How to Enable Small Taskbar Mode
If you are a Windows Insider enrolled in the Experimental Preview ring, the update should arrive via Windows Update automatically. Once installed, follow these steps:
- Open Settings (Win + I).
- Navigate to Personalisation > Taskbar.
- Scroll down to the Taskbar size section (newly added).
- Choose Small from the drop-down menu.
- The change takes effect instantly—no restart or sign-out required.
To revert, simply switch back to Medium or Large. Note that the Large option increases the taskbar height to roughly 64 pixels, which could benefit users with touch screens or visual impairments but seems out of place on most desktops.
Testers have already shared before-and-after screenshots on platforms like Reddit and Twitter, with many celebrating the reclaimed screen real estate. On a 14-inch 1080p laptop, the difference is roughly ⅛ of an inch in taskbar height—seemingly small, but over a workday, the extra vertical space contributes to a less cramped window management experience.
Community and Insider Reactions
Within hours of the build’s availability, Windows Insider forums lit up with discussion. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, though sharp-eyed testers have flagged a handful of visual inconsistencies:
- When using the small taskbar together with the “Automatically hide the taskbar” option, the animation may stutter on entry/exit. This appears to be a known issue mentioned in the release notes.
- Some custom icon packs and high-contrast themes do not scale perfectly; Microsoft is soliciting feedback via the Feedback Hub.
- The small clock text can be harder to read on high-resolution displays, and there is no separate toggle to keep the clock larger while shrinking icons—a granularity that some power users miss.
Despite these minor hiccups, the sentiment echoes a long-standing wish fulfilled. One tester on Windows Central forums wrote: “This is the single most anticipated feature since Windows 11 launched. Finally, I can ditch StartAllBack and just use stock Windows.” Another expressed cautious optimism: “Knowing Microsoft, this could be scrapped before release. But if it sticks, it proves they still listen to feedback.”
The Bigger Picture: Windows Customization Philosophy
Taskbar size control is more than a nostalgic throwback; it symbolizes a mature, user-centric design evolution. When Windows 11 debuted, Microsoft’s “simplified” approach aimed to reduce cognitive load and streamline the interface, but it often alienated the very enthusiasts who evangelize the platform. By reintroducing customization options—even as optional, hidden-away settings—the company walks a fine line between approachability and power-user flexibility.
Other recent Insider builds have moved in a similar direction. In 2025, Microsoft restored the ability to show labels on taskbar buttons and ungroup windows, another top Feedback Hub request. Now, with small taskbar icons returning, the operating system inches closer to the “best of both worlds” ideal: a modern, secure foundation with the personalization depth that long-time users expect.
That said, the Experimental Preview designation remains a caveat. The feature is not guaranteed to ship. Microsoft often uses such builds to gauge engagement telemetry and feedback volume. For the small taskbar to survive, Insiders must proactively vote and comment in the Feedback Hub, file bugs, and demonstrate that the feature is polished and desired.
What About Other Taskbar Customizations?
The arrival of taskbar size control naturally raises questions about what else might return. The Settings UI in Build 26300.8758 does not hint at repositioning (top/sides), though hidden registry tweaks or Vivetool flags may unlock latent code as they did in earlier builds. For now, Microsoft’s focus appears to be on the size dimension, and the company has not publicly committed to full reposition support.
Parallel developments in other Windows areas—such as the Widgets board, Copilot integration, and the revamped File Explorer—suggest that the taskbar will continue to evolve incrementally rather than through a single “big bang” update. Insiders are encouraged to check the Feedback Hub for related collections and to submit their own detailed reports.
How to Get Build 26300.8758
Enrollment in the Windows Insider Program is required. Since this is an Experimental Preview build, users must specifically opt into the “Experimental” channel from Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program. Note that this channel receives the least stable flights and may include features that are completely scrapped or reverted in subsequent updates. It is strongly recommended to install experimental builds only on secondary machines or virtual environments.
Once enrolled, check for updates; the build should be offered within hours. Because it contains a full OS upgrade, a lengthy download and multiple restarts are typical. The installation retains apps and personal files, but a backup is always wise.
Bottom Line
Microsoft’s release of Build 26300.8758 represents a significant moment for Windows 11 customization. The new Taskbar Size setting—particularly the Small option—tackles one of the most persistent criticisms of the modern Windows interface. While still confined to an experimental ring and therefore not yet destined for production, the feature’s sheer practicality suggests a high probability of eventual promotion.
For now, Insiders can enjoy a cleaner, more compact taskbar, and the broader Windows community can watch closely. The trajectory of Windows customization is finally bending back toward user choice, and if feedback patterns hold, this won’t be the last feature Microsoft resurrects from its own history.
To voice your support and report any issues, open the Feedback Hub (Win + F) and search for the “Taskbar Size” collection. The more engagement it receives, the harder it will be for the team to ignore.