Vista tweak: resize your desktop icons with the scroll of a mousewheel

James Bannan12 June 2007, 8:07 AM

Adjusting to the consumerist society in which we live, Vista's icons have been upsized. But if you don't need so many pixels searing your retinas, read on.


One thing which really annoys me about the Vista desktop is the size of the icons. Perhaps I’m too used to Windows XP, but the icon size on XP seemed perfect.

Not only does Vista’s icon size make me think that they’re providing a visual aid in my dotage, but icons to any third-party apps are instantly stretched too far, looking ugly and pixelated.

Well, the answer is surprisingly simple – go the desktop, hold down CTRL and scroll the mouse wheel up or down. Down makes the icons smaller, up enlarges them.

You can make the icons so small that they’re of little practical use, or so large that they should come with a pair of clown shoes to complete the package.

Desktop Icons - Too Small?Desktop Icons - Too Small?

Desktop Icons - Ronald McDonald StyleDesktop Icons - Ronald McDonald Style

And while you’re thinking about desktop icons, right-click on the desktop and select Properties. Choose “Change desktop icons” in the top left corner.

Here, you can add back in all the useful icons like Computer and User’s Files. You can also change any of the icons – highlight an icon, select “Change icon” and navigate to the file with the icons you’re after.

Desktop Icons - Choose MoreDesktop Icons - Choose More


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webmonkey44:

nice, but don't use vista.

29 February 2008, 8:31 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Kingy:

Great little tweak. Best one I have seen for a while.

29 February 2008, 8:31 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

webmonkey445:

Great, do use Vista.

29 February 2008, 8:31 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Bill:

Been using the same feature in Kubuntu fot nearly 2 years.

29 February 2008, 8:31 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Gmos:

And its in Ubuntu's Gnome desktop as well - right click on an icon, select resize, grap a corner and stretch/shrink it. So simple.

29 February 2008, 8:43 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Anonymous2007:

So what?

29 February 2008, 8:43 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Anonymous123:

Obviously a slow news day!

29 February 2008, 8:31 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Dan Warne:

No - we just like to present a mix of tweaks, tips, tutorials and news.


29 February 2008, 8:43 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Mike:

Thank you, that has been bugging me for a while now.

29 February 2008, 8:31 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

elke:

What should i do if i don't have a scroll mouse...???
Are the letters going to stay bigger??

29 February 2008, 8:31 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Robert:

very good solution. thanks a lot.

29 February 2008, 8:44 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Shanice:

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! the icon size was getting so annoying to me, i couldn't figure out how to organize them without covering up most of my background picture!

29 February 2008, 8:31 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

tandoni:

Thanks for the icon help, I thought they were way too big also, the scroll thing is awesome.

Reguards.

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Sherm:

Wow! Thanks a lot for that easy tip!

29 February 2008, 8:32 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

kts.nguyenvanhieu:

Thanks for your nice tip

29 February 2008, 8:33 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

mreynol5 (New user):

Probably the most useful "tweak" I have ever found. Many thanks because I thought something odd had happened to my vision...

06 March 2009, 5:07 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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