Is Windows 11 Taking a Page from macOS? Dynamic Taskbar Icons in Testing
It looks like Microsoft is taking inspiration from across the aisle! Windows 11 might be getting a design tweak that long-time Mac users will find very familiar: automatic scaling of taskbar icons. Yes, just like the macOS Dock, your Windows 11 taskbar could soon adjust icon sizes based on how many apps you have pinned.
A Taskbar That Adapts to You
This new feature is currently being tested in the latest Insider Preview Beta builds, meaning it's not quite ready for everyone yet, but Microsoft is actively experimenting with it. The goal? To make your taskbar more efficient, especially if you're someone who likes to keep a lot of applications readily accessible.
Where can you find this setting if you're in the Beta program? Dig into your Settings app, then head to Personalization, then Taskbar, and finally, Taskbar behaviors. Look for "Show smaller taskbar buttons" – it’s here you’ll find the new scaling options.
You'll have three choices to play with:
- Always: Icons will always be scaled, presumably smaller to fit more.
- Never: The classic, current behavior – no automatic scaling.
- When the taskbar is full: This is the interesting one! Icons will dynamically shrink or grow depending on how crowded your taskbar gets.
macOS Dock Vibes in Windows 11
The "When the taskbar is full" option is clearly drawing inspiration from the macOS Dock. On macOS, the Dock icons smoothly resize as you add or remove applications, keeping everything neatly organized and accessible. It seems Microsoft wants to bring a similar level of dynamic organization to Windows 11.
Beta Testing Caveats: Expect a Few Bumps
It's important to remember this is beta software. Microsoft is using Insider Previews to test features and get feedback, so things might not always work perfectly. As the original report mentions, even in the current test build, some features (like those battery status icons from January) might be a bit wonky. So, if you're trying out Insider builds, be prepared for potential glitches!
It will be interesting to see if this dynamic taskbar icon scaling makes it to the final version of Windows 11. It's a subtle but potentially very useful feature for users who like to maximize their screen real estate and keep a lot of apps at their fingertips.
