Make Windows 11 Notification Icons Show in 2 Rows: A Simple Guide to Doubling Your Taskbar Visibility

In our journey to personalize and enhance the usability of Windows 11, we’ve found a way to increase efficiency in how we interact with the taskbar. Specifically, we’re talking about the notification area, which Microsoft has designed to house icons for software running in the background. Given the right tweaks, this part of the operating system’s interface, which some may find cramped, can be made more accessible and visually appealing by displaying notification icons in two rows.

Technology is about making life easier and more personalized, and this small adjustment to the taskbar in Windows 11 does just that. It allows for better visibility of all icons and can streamline our workflow. While the operating system doesn’t provide a straightforward option for this modification through its graphical user interface, a registry tweak enables this custom setup. It’s a testament to the flexibility of Windows 11, and it showcases how with a bit of ingenuity, we can tailor our digital environment to our preferences.

Preparing Your System

Before we dive into customizing the Windows 11 taskbar settings to display notification area icons in two rows, let’s ensure that our system is prepared for the task. It’s important to approach these tweaks carefully to maintain system stability.

Accessing Taskbar Settings

To begin, we need to access the right place where the taskbar settings are located. For this purpose, the first part of preparation is to open the Settings app. Here’s how we do it:

• Press the Windows key + I to open the settings application directly.
• Click on Personalization, which will lead us to the area where taskbar options can be adjusted.

Navigating to Notification Area Icons

Once we’re in the taskbar settings, the specific area we must locate is the Notification area. To reach this, follow these steps:

• Within Personalization, scroll down and select Taskbar.
• Here, we focus on the section named Notification area.
• Click on Taskbar corner icons and Overflow settings to customize which icons appear and how they behave in the system tray.

In the next sections, we’ll explore how to make changes within the registry editor. It’s crucial to proceed with care when dealing with the registry, as improper changes can affect system performance and stability.

Modifying Windows 11 Registry

We can enhance our Windows 11 interface by configuring the system to display the notification tray icons in two rows. This requires modifying the Windows 11 registry—a powerful tool for customizing the operating system. Proceed with caution, as incorrect changes to the registry can cause system instability.

Opening Registry Editor

First, we’ll access the Registry Editor, the gateway to modifying system settings. To open it, press the Windows + R key combination, which will bring up the Run dialog box. Here, we type regedit and press Enter. This action launches the Registry Editor, where we can navigate through the system’s registry keys and values.

Locating the Taskbar Key

Within the Registry Editor, we need to locate the specific registry key that pertains to the taskbar settings. Using the sidebar, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Now comes the crucial part—locating the StuckRects3 key. Expand the Advanced key and scroll down to find StuckRects3. We’ll now be ready to adjust the relevant values to modify the notification area.

Adjusting Row Value for Icons

The notification area icons are controlled by a binary value within the StuckRects3 registry key. To change the display to two rows, follow these steps:

1. Double-click the Settings binary value to open the editor window.
2. In the editor window, locate the FE column and the row 00000028.
3. Modify the cell value to 02 to set the icons to display in two rows.

Please remember to close the Registry Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect. By following these steps accurately, we can modify our taskbar’s appearance and functionality.

Applying the Changes

We’ve successfully navigated the registry and made our modifications. Now, it’s time to put those changes into effect, ensuring our system tray icons are displayed in two rows. These steps are crucial for the changes to take full effect and for us to see our system tray organized neatly.

Restarting File Explorer

Verifying Icon Arrangement

Once we have restarted File Explorer, we should verify that the icons appear correctly. Here are specific steps to ensure everything is in place:

1. Check the system tray in the taskbar corner overflow to see if icons are displayed in two rows.
2. If not, access the overflow menu’s settings to adjust which icons appear and ensure space for two rows is available.

If the icons are still showing in a single row, we may need to revisit the registry settings or look for an alternative method to achieve the desired arrangement.

Additional Customizations and Troubleshooting

We can further personalize the Notification area in Windows 11 to better suit our needs and address any issues that arise. Below, we share our insights on configuring icons and solving common problems with notification display.

Configuring System Icons and Overflow

We’ve found that managing system icons helps maintain an uncluttered taskbar. To configure which system icons appear, access the Taskbar settings and go to “Taskbar corner overflow.” From here, you can select icons for network, volume, Wi-Fi, clock, calendar, and action center to either display in the taskbar or hide in the overflow area. Adjusting these ensures that only essential icons remain visible for quick access.

Handling Issues with Notification Icons

In cases where notification icons are not displaying as expected, we suggest a few steps for troubleshooting. Firstly, restart the explorer.exe process through the Task Manager, which can often refresh the taskbar and fix display issues. If this doesn’t resolve the problem, checking for system updates or using built-in troubleshooting tools is the next step to ensure that your system supports these customizations. Restoring the default value of certain Registry entries can also reverse any accidental changes that may have caused display issues.

Please note that modifying the Registry can affect system performance and stability, so it’s important to follow these steps with care or consult a professional if you’re unsure.