How to Change Icons on the Windows 11 Taskbar: A Practical Guide

Personalising Your Windows 11 Taskbar Icons for a Custom Desktop Look

Swapping out icons on your Windows 11 taskbar is a great way to give your desktop a fresh new feel. Whether you want to clear the clutter, add some personal flair, or make your favourite apps easier to access, tweaking your taskbar icons can really improve your experience. It’s straightforward — just head into Windows settings and choose which icons you want front and centre. Plus, you’ll end up with a desktop that better represents your style. A few simple adjustments can make a real difference.

Getting Started with Taskbar Icon Customisation

Modifying your taskbar icons involves a little bit of navigation through Windows settings. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds. We’ll walk through the steps to get your taskbar looking just how you like it — and honestly, it’s kind of fun.

First Up: Open Windows Settings

Start by opening the Settings menu. Click the Start button on the taskbar and select the gear-shaped Settings icon, or press Windows key + I for a quick shortcut. This is your hub for customising everything in Windows 11, including your taskbar icons.

Next, Go to Personalisation

In the Settings menu, click on Personalisation. Here’s where the fun begins — you can tweak themes, colours, and the details of your taskbar. If you prefer, right-click on your desktop and select Personalise — easy as!

Then, Head to Taskbar Options

Within Personalisation, click on Taskbar. This section controls what icons are visible. You can toggle system icons like network, volume, and security on or off. Managing what’s pinned and adjusting how icons behave is also here. For a bit more finesse, explore Taskbar behaviours. While some folks prefer to use third-party tools or registry edits, the built-in options usually do the trick.

Get Creative with Icon Selection

Scroll down to find the Taskbar corner icons and Taskbar overflow sections. This is your playground to switch system icons—like Wi-Fi (Network), sound (Volume), or security alerts (Security)—on or off. Decide which icons appear directly on your taskbar and which stay tucked away in the overflow menu by clicking Select which icons appear on the taskbar and toggling as desired. Handy, isn’t it?

Pinning and Unpinning Apps like a Pro

Want to keep your favourite apps front and centre? Right-click on the app in the Start menu or on your desktop and choose Pin to taskbar. To tidy things up, unpin apps you no longer use. Did you know you can also drag apps directly onto the taskbar for quick pinning? For a bit of customisation, right-click a pinned app, select Properties, and change its icon or shortcut if you fancy.

Once you’ve made your changes, your taskbar updates immediately. The result? A cleaner, more organised setup that’s easy to navigate and looks the way you want.

Tips to Get Most Out of Your Taskbar Customisation

Set yourself up for maximum efficiency by grouping similar apps together. Pin related tools next to each other, or use third-party software to create process-specific folders. Choose clear, easy-to-recognise icons to speed things up and reduce confusion. Keep your pinned apps up to date — outdated icons or apps can clutter your workspace. If you’re feeling adventurous, explore third-party icon packs or custom themes to give your taskbar a fresh look. And don’t forget to leave some space for temporary apps or quick notes — it keeps your setup tidy and functional.

Common Questions About Taskbar Icon Customisation

Can I add custom icons to the Windows 11 taskbar?

Absolutely! You can find custom icon packs (.ico files) on sites like IconArchive, or create your own if you’re handy with graphic tools. To swap out a pinned icon, right-click it, select Properties, go to the Shortcut tab, click Change Icon, then browse and pick your new icon. Easy and personal!

How do I reset my taskbar icons back to the default?

If things get a bit cluttered or you want to start fresh, unpin the apps you’ve added. To reset everything, open PowerShell as an administrator and run this command:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

For individual icons, just unpin them from the taskbar. Alternatively, editing the registry at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Taskband can reset the icons, but be cautious with that approach.

Why aren’t some apps showing up on my taskbar?

If an app refuses to pin, it might not support that feature or just hasn’t been added yet. To pin an app, right-click its icon (if open) or search for it, then choose Pin to taskbar. For stubborn apps, creating a desktop shortcut pointing to the app’s executable can do the trick.

Can I resize taskbar icons in Windows 11?

Officially, Windows 11 doesn’t offer a standard way to resize icons via Settings. But enabling Use small taskbar buttons in Taskbar behaviours makes icons smaller. For more options, tools like TaskbarX may help, but use them carefully.

Will changing icons slow down my system?

No worries there — rebranding your icons is just a visual tweak. It won’t impact your system’s speed or performance. Just a bit of visual flair to make your desktop more you.

Key Steps for Customising Your Taskbar

1. Open Windows Settings with the Start menu or press Windows key + I.
2. Click on Personalisation.
3. Select Taskbar for managing icons.
4. Adjust Taskbar corner icons and Select which icons appear to suit your needs.
5. Pin new apps or unpin ones you no longer need. Dragging apps onto the taskbar is a quick way to pin them too.

Customising your Windows 11 taskbar isn’t just about making it look good — it’s about improving how you work. Little tweaks, like changing icons, rearranging pins, or turning off unnecessary system icons, can make your desktop more functional and way easier to navigate. It’s simple, rewarding, and helps you craft a workspace that genuinely feels like yours.

Take your time experimenting with different setups until you find what works for you. Also, consider other ways to personalise Windows — themes, wallpapers, and more — to really make your desktop uniquely yours. A bit of effort goes a long way in creating a workspace that feels comfortable and reflects your style.