Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10  

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    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10

    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10

    How to Change the Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Customization
    20 Nov 2021
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Change the Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10


    The desktop is the main screen area that you see after you turn on your PC and sign in to Windows. Like the top of an actual desk, it serves as a surface for your work. When you open programs or folders, they appear on the desktop. You can also put items on the desktop, such as files, folders, and shortcuts, and arrange them however you want.

    Starting with the Windows 10 Creators Update version 1703, you will no longer be able to change the size of desktops icons to a list, details, tiles, or content view.

    This tutorial will show you how to change the size and view layout of your desktop icons in Windows 10.


    Contents




    EXAMPLE: Desktop view with small, medium, and large icons
    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-small_icons_on_desktop.jpg
    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-medium_icons_on_desktop.jpg
    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-large_icons_on_desktop.jpg






    OPTION ONE

    To Resize Desktop Icons using Scroll Wheel


    You can quickly undo this to restore your previous desktop icons size and layout by restarting explorer during the current session.

    Desktop icons size and layout only remains in memory until you sign out. Afterwards, the current size and layout is saved to the registry, and you will no longer be able to restore your previous desktop icons size and layout.


    1 Click/tap on your desktop, press and hold the Ctrl key and roll the scroll wheel forward and backward until you have the size you want for your desktop icons, then release the Ctrl key.

    There are 28 sizes available to scroll ranging from extra small to extra large.


    2 You may need to toggle Auto arrange icons and/or Auto align icons on and off to realign the icons on your desktop.






    OPTION TWO

    To Resize Desktop Icons using Context Menu


    You can quickly undo this to restore your previous desktop icons size and layout by restarting explorer during the current session.

    Desktop icons size and layout only remains in memory until you sign out. Afterwards, the current size and layout is saved to the registry, and you will no longer be able to restore your previous desktop icons size and layout.


    1 Right click or press and hold on your desktop (Shift+F10), click/tap on View, and click/tap on Large icons, Medium icons, or Small icons for the size you want. (see screenshot below)

    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-desktop_icon_size.jpg






    OPTION THREE

    To Change Desktop View Layout using Keyboard


    You can quickly undo this to restore your previous desktop icons size and layout by restarting explorer during the current session.

    Desktop icons size and layout only remains in memory until you sign out. Afterwards, the current size and layout is saved to the registry, and you will no longer be able to restore your previous desktop icons size and layout.


    1 Click/tap on your desktop, press and hold the Shift + Ctrl keys and press a number key 1 to 4 until you have the view layout you want for your desktop, then release the Shift and Ctrl keys.

    This will not work using the number pad. You will need to use the numbers at the top of the keyboard.


    Number View Layout
    1 Extra large icons
    2 Large icons
    3 Medium icons
    4 Small icons






    OPTION FOUR

    To Resize Desktop Icons using a BAT file


    1 Do step 2 (extra large), step 3 (large), step 4 (medium), step 5 (small), below for what view layout you would like use on your desktop.


    2 To Use Extra Large Icons on Your Desktop

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 6 below.

    Extra_large_desktop_icons.bat

    Download

    (Content of BAT file for reference)
    Code:
    @echo off
    
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V IconSize /T REG_DWORD /D 256 /F
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V Mode /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V LogicalViewMode /T REG_DWORD /D 3 /F
    
    taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
    start explorer.exe


    3 To Use Large Icons on Your Desktop

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 6 below.

    Large_desktop_icons.bat

    Download

    (Content of BAT file for reference)
    Code:
    @echo off
    
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V IconSize /T REG_DWORD /D 96 /F
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V Mode /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V LogicalViewMode /T REG_DWORD /D 3 /F
    
    taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
    start explorer.exe


    4 To Use Medium Icons on Your Desktop

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 6 below.

    Medium_desktop_icons.bat

    Download

    (Content of BAT file for reference)
    Code:
    @echo off
    
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V IconSize /T REG_DWORD /D 48 /F
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V Mode /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V LogicalViewMode /T REG_DWORD /D 3 /F
    
    taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
    start explorer.exe


    5 To Use Small Icons on Your Desktop

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the BAT file below, and go to step 6 below.

    Small_desktop_icons.bat

    Download

    (Content of BAT file for reference)
    Code:
    @echo off
    
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V IconSize /T REG_DWORD /D 32 /F
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V Mode /T REG_DWORD /D 1 /F
    REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags\1\Desktop" /V LogicalViewMode /T REG_DWORD /D 3 /F
    
    taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
    start explorer.exe

    6 Save the .bat file to your desktop.

    7 Unblock the .bat file.

    8 Run the .bat file.

    9 You will now notice your screen flicker and a command prompt quickly open and close as explorer is restarted to apply the registry changes.

    10 You may need to toggle Auto arrange icons and/or Auto align icons on and off to realign the icons on your desktop.

    11 When finished, you can delete the downloaded .bat file if you like.


    That's it,
    Shawn Brink






  1. Posts : 27,162
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #1

    One more more method I learned from @Edwin is, make sure you click your mouse cursor on the desktop and press and hold Shift + CTRL then press a number key,1 thru 6(on top of keyboard, not from the number pad):
    My favorite, because you can add columns, by right clicking the bar at the top:
    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-image-012.png

    The rest:

    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-image-011.png

    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-image-010.png

    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-image-008.png

    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-image-009.png
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 17,838
    Windows 10
       #2

    Absolutely @Cliff S!

    Also remember:
    You can adjust the size of icons in column view with Ctrl+Mouse Wheel:

    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-000328.png
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 17,838
    Windows 10
       #3

    And......

    As the desktop is a virtual folder, the columns become scrollable, with enough icons added, and a scroll bar on the right as well!

    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-000329.png
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thank you Cliff. I added OPTION THREE to the tutorial for this. :)
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 27,162
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #5

    Brink said:
    Thank you Cliff. I added OPTION THREE to the tutorial for this. :)
    It's really only useful if you use your desktop as a work area, with a lot of files and folder and it helps organize a little better.(my first screenshot)
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 27,162
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #6

    For #6 Details view, right clicking the header gives a drop down menu.
    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-image-002.png

    selecting more, let's you add more information.
    Change Size of Desktop Icons in Windows 10-image-001.png
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #7

    I have just registered to seek help from you awesome people. After the latest update, Ctrl + Shift + 5 through 8 (as well as the .bat files uploaded here) are not working. Please let us know the fix or at least any workarounds. Thanks a million!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hello @mahmudhussain, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

    Unfortunately, those views are no longer available starting with the Windows 10 Creators Update.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #9

    Brink said:
    Hello @mahmudhussain, and welcome to Ten Forums. :) Unfortunately, those views are no longer available starting with the Windows 10 Creators Update.
    Is there any workarounds available, good sir?
      My Computer


 

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