How to Adjust Icon Spacing in Windows

The spacing between icons on the Windows desktop can significantly affect ease of use, especially if the icons seem too close together or, on the contrary, are spread too far apart. Fortunately, you can manually adjust this setting with just a few steps. Below is a guide on how to customize icon spacing in various versions of Windows.

Adjusting Icon Spacing in Windows 10 and Windows 11

In the latest versions of Windows (10 and 11), adjusting icon spacing requires modifying certain registry settings. This might seem a bit complex, but follow the steps carefully, and you’ll be able to get it done smoothly.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Locate the Relevant Section

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics

Step 3: Modify the Spacing Parameters

Under WindowMetrics, find two parameters: IconSpacing and IconVerticalSpacing. These control the horizontal and vertical spacing between icons.

IconSpacing – controls the horizontal spacing. Default value: -1125.
IconVerticalSpacing – controls the vertical spacing. Default value: -1125.

To increase spacing, use more negative values (e.g., -1300); to decrease spacing, use less negative values (e.g., -900).

Step 4: Save Changes and Restart Your Computer

After changing the values, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the new settings.

Adjusting Icon Spacing in Windows 7 and Windows 8

For Windows 7 and 8 users, the process is slightly easier, as these versions support icon spacing adjustments through the “Personalization” settings.

Right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize.”
Go to the “Window Color and Appearance” section and click on “Advanced appearance settings.”
In the dialog, select the “Item” dropdown and choose Icon Spacing (Horizontal) or Icon Spacing (Vertical), then set the desired spacing value.