How to Change Desktop Icon Spacing in Windows 11 and 10

If your desktop icons look too cramped—or maybe too spread out—there’s a way to adjust their spacing in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn’t make this setting obvious, but with the right steps, you can tweak your desktop to look exactly how you want. Here’s how.

Why Change Icon Spacing?

Changing desktop icon spacing can help if:

• Icons overlap or look crowded
• You want a cleaner look
• You prefer more icons visible at once
• You need bigger gaps for better readability

Let’s jump straight into how you can adjust this.

For Windows 11 and Windows 10

1. Change Icon Size (Quick Option)

Before we get into the advanced method, know you can quickly change icon size by:

• Right-click on your desktop
• Hover over View
• Choose Large, Medium, or Small icons

This affects icon size but not the actual spacing. For more control, read on.

2. Change Icon Spacing Using Registry Editor

Warning: Editing the registry is safe if you follow instructions, but always back up your data first.

Here’s what to do:

1. Open Registry Editor
   • Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to the Icon Spacing Settings
   • Go to this path:
     HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
3. Edit Icon Spacing Values
   • Find these two values on the right:
     • IconSpacing (horizontal spacing)
     • IconVerticalSpacing (vertical spacing)
   • Default value: -1125 for both (measured in pixels, but negative numbers).
4. Adjust the Numbers
   • Double-click IconSpacing and enter a value between -480 (more condensed) and -2730 (more spaced).
   • Do the same for IconVerticalSpacing.
   • Tip: Use small increments (like -1200 or -1000) and test until you find what you like.
5. Restart or Sign Out
   • Log out and back in, or restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Can You Change Icon Spacing from Settings?

No—Windows 10 and 11 don’t include icon spacing controls in the Settings app or Control Panel anymore. The Registry method above is your best option.

Restoring Default Spacing

To go back, just change both values back to -1125 and restart your PC.

Quick Troubleshooting

• Icons look weird? Double-check your spacing numbers.
• Icons not moving? Make sure “Auto arrange icons” is unchecked (Right-click desktop > View > uncheck “Auto arrange icons”).

Final Thoughts

Microsoft might not make it easy to tweak icon spacing, but you don’t have to settle for the default layout. With a quick Registry edit, you can customize your desktop and make it feel right for you.

Have questions or run into issues? Drop a comment below and I’ll help out!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!