How to Make Desktop Icons Smaller in Windows

To make desktop icons smaller in Windows (XP), all you need to do is navigate to the right settings options, change a couple of settings there, click 'OK', and Voila! Done deal!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• As noted

1. Assumptions:
   This article assumes the following basics:
   1. Applies to Windows XP; probably applies to other Windows versions as well, but I'm not certain of that.
   2. Assumes your current desktop icon size is now at 'default', and not already enlarged via desktop settings.

2. 
   Seven steps to make desktop icons smaller in Windows; IF they are already larger than default size.

   Begin by viewing your desktop; preferably with no other programs open. Right click on any open area of your desktop, then left click on 'Properties'. This opens a pop-up window titled 'Display Properties'. Click the 'Appearance' tab, then click the 'Effects' button, which opens another pop-up titles 'Effects' (who knew?); if the box next to 'Use large icons' is checked, un-checking that will reduce current desktop icon size to Windows XP default size; considerably smaller than current.
   
   Click the 'OK' button, which closes the 'Effects' pop-up, then click the 'Apply' button on the 'Display Properties' pop-up. Your PC will refresh the desktop with smaller icons.
   
   If the new icon size is satisfactory, you're done. Click the last 'OK' button and get back to work! Or, play?

3. 
   Seven steps to make desktop icons smaller than default size in Windows.

   If your current desktop icon size is at the Windows XP default size and you still want to reduce them, it takes a slightly different path to get results.
   
   You'll know if the current icon size is at default when you view the 'Effects' pop-up. If the 'Use large icons' box is not checked, the icons are at the default size. If you wish to reduce them further, go back to the 'Display Properties' pop-up and click the 'Advanced' button, which opens another pop-up titled 'Advanced Appearance'. Click on the 'Item' drop-down, then click on 'Icon'. Edit the 'Size' field to a lower number (lowest it goes is to 16). When viewing 'Icon', the font field is editable as well. Edit that field, using a generic font (Arial, Tahoma) at around size 8-10.
   Then, click the 'Item' drop-down again, select 'Icon spacing (horizontal)'. Edit the 'Size' field by several digits. Click the 'Item' drop-down once more, select 'Icon spacing (vertical)'. Edit the 'Size' field by several digits.
   
   Note: You do not need to click the 'OK' button until all settings have been edited to your liking. Once they are, click on 'OK', which will close that pop-up. Then, click on 'Apply' in the 'Display Properties' pop-up, which will refresh your desktop with the smallest icon size allowed in Windows XP.

4. 
   Voila!

   Tweaking:
   You might have to do some playing around, in order to get just the right appearance. The icon size, icon horizontal and vertical spacing, and icon title font size all have some bearing on the whole icon layout and overall desktop appearance.