You have finally shifted to Windows 11 and you wish to change your desktop and icon spacing settings. Not to worry, we have a step-by-step guide to help you do this. Windows 10 and Windows 11 slightly shifted the settings on the desktop and icon spacing to the system registry. This is different from previous Microsoft Windows operating systems where one could tweak the settings via the personalization page found in settings.
However, you do not have to be alarmed, the steps are simple and straightforward for you to follow. In this article, we have outlined how to change desktop and icon spacing via the system registry and also through third-party tools.
Note: Before changing your desktop and icon settings, ensure you have a backup of the system registry. This will restore all your previous settings if you incorrectly modify your settings.
Now that we have discussed all the things to do beforehand, let’s get to changing the spacing on your icons.
How to change Desktop and icon settings.
Through the registry editors.
This process will show you how to customize your desktop and icon spacing via the registry editors pre-installed on your computer.
1. Go to your search menu and search for registry editor.
You could also click the Windows + R button to access the Windows registry. With this step, you will be required to type in Regedit to access your registry.
- Open the windows registry and allow it to make changes to your computer.
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT _USER.
- Right Click on it and choose the expand option.
3. Go to the Control panel option and right-click on it.
- Choose the expand option that appears on the pop-up menu.
- After you have expanded the number of options will appear below the Control Panel option.
4. Scroll to ” desktop” and right-click on it.
- Choose the expand Option
5. Click on the window metrics on the menu that appears below the desktop icon.
- A menu will appear on the right with a bunch of options.
6. Scroll to the Icon spacing and right-click on it.
- Click on the modify option to change the value data to what you’re comfortable with.
- Click on Ok.
7. Scroll down to vertical spacing that is below the Icon spacing.
- Right-click on it and choose the modify option.
- Set the value you’re comfortable with and click on it.
After following the steps above, you would have managed to successfully change desktop and icon settings.
If the process seemed too long for you here’s a shorter procedure.
- Click on the windows +R button simultaneously.
- Type in “Regedit” and press enter.
- On the registry window, edit the value at the address bar with HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel\Desktop\WindowsMetrics
- Go to the Icon spacing and Icon vertical spacing and change the values.
Note: Increasing the number set reduces the spacing while decreasing the number set increases the space between desktop icons.
- After setting the value you’re comfortable with, close the windows and go to your homepage.
- Sign out of your user account and restart your computer to implement the changes.
How to change Desktop and icon spacing using third-party tools.
Third-party tools such as DesktopOk and Desktop Icon spacing allow you to customize the icon spacing to something you’re comfortable with. Moreover, with these applications, you get to adjust the icon sizes and fonts and so much more.
To customize your desktop and icon spacing via DesktopOk, you’ll first be required to download the app. After downloading the application. Extract the executable file and execute it.
Related article: How To Install Two Different GPUs in One computer: Step by Step Guide.
- When the application pops up on your homepage, open the Tools menu and scroll down to Windows metrics.
- On windows metrics, use the sliders on the Horizontal and vertical spacing to make any changes to icon spacing.
This will automatically change the settings on your PC without having to restart your PC. However, if the changes are not executed immediately click on the Start explorer option at the bottom right of the application.
You also have the option of switching back to previous values by clicking on the Default button to restore previous settings.
You have successfully changed your desktop and icon spacing through third-party tools and also the registry window.
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