![Title: Tweaking Desktop Icons' Separation in WinXI+10](https://thmb.techidaily.com/4a9b602cddaa14e95b4c74e25b7d2e53d393546d813f68c2847153dd0769193c.jpg)
Title: Tweaking Desktop Icons' Separation in WinXI+10
![](/images/site-logo.png)
Title: Tweaking Desktop Icons’ Separation in WinXI+10
Windows 11 includes three desktop context menu options for changing icon size. However, those settings do nothing to change the spacing between icons. Nor does the Settings app or Control Panel offer any configuration settings with which to adjust icon spacing variables.
As such, it might seem that you can’t change icon spacing on the desktop in Windows 11/10. However, Windows 11 does have two hidden settings for changing the vertical and horizontal desktop icon spacing in the form of registry strings. Here is how you can change desktop icon spacing in Windows 11/10 in two different ways.
How to Change Desktop Icon Spacing By Manually Editing the Registry
The registry is one big database of configuration settings that you can edit to customize Windows. It includes a WindowsMetrics key that incorporates IconSpacing and IconVerticalSpacing strings.
You can tweak these hidden options and create the desktop icon spacing you want as follows:
Click theStart button on the taskbar with the right mouse button to select theRun shortcut.
Toopen the Registry Editor , enterregedit in the Run and selectOK .
Go to the Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics registry key. You can copy and paste that registry location in the address bar or click the keys for it on the left sidebar.
Select theWindowMetrics key.
Nero Burning ROM:
The ultimate burning program for all your needs!Double-click theWindowMetrics key’sIconSpacing string, which changes the horizontal spacing for desktop icons.
Then erase the current-1125 number from the Value data box.
Enter a replacement value with a minus (-) sign in front of it. For example, entering-1180 will slightly increase the horizontal spacing.
Press theOK button to close IconString’s Edit String window.
Next, double-click theIconVerticalSpacing string setting, with which you can modify vertical icon spacing.
Clear the current value, and then input another number with a minus sign in front of it. If you want the vertical spacing to be the same as the horizontal, enter a number there that matches the IconSpacing value.
Click the Edit String window’sOK button.
Exit the Registry Editor.
You’ll need to restart Windows to apply thisregistry tweak .
After the restart, the icon spacing on your desktop will have changed according to the newIconString andIconVerticalSpacing values you entered. You’ll notice the difference if you entered notably higher or lower values. Don’t get too carried away by entering values that are far too low or high. The shortcuts’ labels will overlap with too little spacing and some icons might disappear from the desktop if you expand the space between them too much.
Now you might wonder how you can restore the default desktop icon spacing. The default spacing value for both the strings is-1125 , which amounts to 75 pixels. So, return to the WindowMetric registry key and enter-1125 for both theIconString andIconVerticalSpacing string values. Thereafter, restart your PC to restore the default spacing.
How to Change Desktop Icon Spacing With Winaero Tweaker
Some third-party customization software packages for Windows 11/10 include options for changing desktop icon spacing. Among them is the freeware Winaero Tweaker, which has two slider bars with which you can increase or decrease horizontal and vertical icon spacing. As that software also specifies space values in pixels, some users might prefer to change icon spacing with it. This is how to change the spacing for desktop icons with Winaero Tweaker.
Open a browser and visit theWinaero Tweaker download page.
Scroll down the page to select aDownload Winaero Tweaker option.
Next, launch File Explorer to open the folder that includes Winaero’s ZIP archive.
Right-click the winaerotweaker.zip file and select itsExtract All option.
Select the checkbox for theShow extracted files when complete setting on the Extract Compressed (Zipped) Folders window.
To unzip the archive, clickExtract .
Double-click the installer file for Winaero Tweaker to bring up the software’s setup wizard.
Select theNext option a few times, and click theI accept the radio agreement button.
ClickNext to proceed to the folder selection. Although not essential to do so, you can clickBrowse to choose a different folder.
All the other default installation options selected are fine. Keep clickingNext and then Install to finish.
Select theRun Winaero Tweaker checkbox after installing, and then clickFinish .
Double-click theAdvanced Appearance Settings category in Winaero.
Click theIcons option shown directly below.
Drag theHorizontal spacing bar’s slider right or left to increase or decrease the space width between icons.
Then drag the slider for theVertical spacing bar left or right to adjust the amount of vertical space for desktop icons.
Press theApply changes button.
Click theSign out now option to restart your PC and apply the icon spacing changes.
That’s it. Now you can see the icon spacing change on the Windows 11 desktop.
If you go a bit over the top with the space changes, you can easily readjust the values with Winaero Tweaker’s icon spacing slider bars. To restore the default spacing, click theReset this page to defaults option for the Icon option.
You might also notice that Winaero Tweaker’s Icon option has an additionalChange icons font setting. That option enables you to choose a different font for your desktop icons. Press theChange Font icon button to bring up the window shown below.
There you can select a different icon font from a wide variety of alternatives in theFont menu. TheFont style menu there includes 12 different styles for icon fonts to choose from. Input a higher or lower value in theSize box to increase or decrease the font size. You can also selectStrikeout andUnderline text effect options there.
ClickOK when you’ve customized the desktop icon font, and then select theApply Changes andSign out now options.
How to Change Desktop Icon Spacing With DesktopOK
DesktopOK is another third-party app with which you can adjust the vertical and horizontal spacing between desktop icons. That software also enables you to save desktop icon layouts and packs in other useful tools and features. You can change desktop icon spacing with DesktopOK like this:
Openthis DesktopOK download page.
Click theDesktopOK_x64.zip (for the portable app version) to save the archive.
Simultaneously press theWindows logo +E keys on your keyboard to activate File Explorer.
Go to the folder containing the DesktopOK ZIP archive.
Follow the instructions in thishow-to unzip archives in Windows guide to extract the ZIP file.
Then double-click theDesktopOK_x64.exe file.
ClickTools on the DesktopOK window.
SelectWindows-Metrics on theTools menu.
ClickYes on the confirmation dialog prompt.
Drag theHorizontal Space bar’s slider to change horizontal desktop icon spacing.
Then drag theVertical Space bar’s slider to adjust vertical icon spacing.
You can also change desktop icon sizes from the Windows-Metrics window. Click theDesktop icon size drop-down menu to choose an alternative size from there. If you select the largest icon sizes, you’ll need to increase the spacing between them to prevent them overlapping.
How Much Icon Space Do You Want on Your Desktop?
So, would you prefer the desktop icons in Windows 11/10 to have more or less space between them? Reducing desktop icon space will free up space for more shortcuts. However, some Microsoft Surface touchscreen PC users might prefer to widen the spaces between icons a little bit. You can choose either way by manually editing the registry or adjusting spacing with Winaero Tweaker’sIcon option or the Windows-Metrics utility in DesktopOK.
Also read:
- [New] Filmmaking 101 for TikTokers Maximizing Your Camera's Potential in 156 Characters or Less for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved The Complete Roadmap to Online TikTok Streaming From Desktop
- [Updated] Bright Ideas Maximizing iPhone Camera Exposure
- [Updated] In 2024, Instant Images Guide Easy Recording Tips (Dell)
- [Updated] In 2024, Stay on Top of Your Streaks Must-Try Techniques
- [Updated] Soundtracking WhatsApp Statues for 2024
- [Updated] Youtube Shorts Success - Top 10 Steps to Stand Out
- 11 Fixes if Windows 10 Can’t Detect a Wi-Fi Network
- 7 Reasons to Choose Windows 10 Over Windows 11
- 7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Windows 11
- A Comprehensive Overview: Using BlueScreenView
- A Step-by-Step Approach for Cleaning Up MS Audit Records
- Accelerating Windows 11 App Launches
- Addressing Unavailable Display Settings in Nvidia Software
- Addressing Windows Services That Don't Launch
- Advanced Tips for Adding Sound in Snipping Tool Recordings (Max 156)
- Alter IP Settings with Confidence (Windows 11)
- Analyzing Space Efficiency of Windows Software
- Beneath the Surface, Innocent-Looking Apps Steal Speed From PCs
- Breached Byte Bastion: Maintain, Reflect, Then Switch
- CEP Library Integration
- Chroma Mastery Made Easy A Complete Guide to Green Screen Filmmaking
- Circumventing Unyielding Power Switches on Windows 11
- Clear-Sighted: Making Your Windows 11 Taskbar Glossy
- Clearing the Obscure: Fixing White Out Screens in WIN10/11
- Clearing Up Steam Cloud Errors
- Clearing Up the Confusion of Microsoft Store Error 0X80072EFD
- Clearing Windows ARP Caches Made Simple
- Correcting Incompatible Drivers on Windows 11
- Customizing Home Screen Preferences on W11 OS
- Cutting-Edge Windows 11 Shortcut Personalization Techniques
- Design Dilemma: Overcoming Unexpected Screen Shades
- Detailed Steps for Running SFC in Windows OS
- Discover How to Optimize Win11 Taskbar
- Discovering Surface Laptop Studio 2: Near-Flawless for Makers
- Discreet Toolbar Tactics: Concealing Items in Windows 11
- Display Number and Caps Lock Status in Taskbar Tray Win11
- Distinguishing Key Features of EXE and MSI Formats
- Ditch Default Home Port on W11 Settings Interface
- Diving Deep: Using the Netstat Command in Windows 11 OS
- Download & Update Drivers: AMD Radeon R9 360 for Windows 10
- Easy Setup Guide with Arduino Mega 2560 Drivers Downloaded Here!
- In 2024, A Guide Oppo Find X7 Wireless and Wired Screen Mirroring | Dr.fone
- In 2024, A Step-by-Step Guide on Using ADB and Fastboot to Remove FRP Lock from your Meizu
- In 2024, Audio Ambiance for Visionaries Incorporating YouTube Music Wisely
- Lead the Likes The Best Social App List on Android/iPhone
- Looking For A Location Changer On Gionee F3 Pro? Look No Further | Dr.fone
- Premier Presentation Planner Prodigy for 2024
- Seamless Browsing Restored: The Ultimate Strategies for Resolving Flickering Glitches in Google Chrome on Windows Computers - 2024 Edition
- Seeking Help? Navigate Through Windows Troubles Easily
- Tips and Tricks for Setting Up your Vivo Y100 5G Phone Pattern Lock
- Title: Title: Tweaking Desktop Icons' Separation in WinXI+10
- Author: Joseph
- Created at : 2024-08-08 06:10:35
- Updated at : 2024-08-09 06:10:35
- Link: https://windows11.techidaily.com/title-tweaking-desktop-icons-separation-in-winxiplus10/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.