Changing the window border size in Windows 11 can help improve your visual experience, especially if you want larger or smaller borders around your application windows. This can make windows easier to resize or give your desktop a cleaner look.
Windows 11 does not offer a direct setting in the main Settings app to adjust window border sizes, but there are ways to customize it through system settings and registry tweaks. This guide will walk you through the basic steps to achieve this.
Whether you want thicker borders for easier grabbing or slimmer edges for a minimalist appearance, this guide will explain everything clearly.
Follow the instructions carefully to avoid any unwanted changes to your system.
Quick Note Before You Begin
- Make sure you have administrative rights on your PC because some steps will require them.
- It’s a good idea to create a system restore point before making any changes to the registry.
- Windows updates can sometimes reset customization, so you might need to reapply settings after an update.
- Be patient and follow each step exactly to avoid issues.
How to Change Window Border Size Using the Registry Editor
Windows 11 does not provide a built-in option in the Settings app to change window border thickness, but you can do this by modifying the Windows Registry.
Step 1: Open Registry Editor
Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter. If a User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes to allow it.
Step 2: Navigate to the WindowMetrics Key
In the Registry Editor, use the left sidebar to navigate to this path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktopWindowMetricsThis is where Windows stores settings related to window borders and other UI elements.
Step 3: Modify the BorderWidth Value
Find the BorderWidth entry on the right pane. Double-click it to edit.
The value is stored as a string representing the border size in twips (1 twip = 1/1440 inch). Default is usually -15. You can change this value as follows:
- Enter a number between
-15(default) and-60for thicker borders. - Smaller negative numbers like
-5will make the border thinner.
For example, to make borders thicker, you could enter -30.
Step 4: Modify the PaddedBorderWidth Value
Similarly, double-click the PaddedBorderWidth entry.
This controls the padding around the window border. The default is -60.
- Increase the negative number (e.g.,
-120) for more padding around borders. - Decrease it (e.g.,
-30) for less padding.
Step 5: Apply and Restart
After making changes, close the Registry Editor. To apply the new border size settings, you must restart your computer or log out and log back in.
Alternative Method: Adjusting Window Borders with Ease of Access Settings
If you are uncomfortable editing the registry, you can try changing the size of text and other UI elements, which indirectly affects window borders.
Step 1: Open Settings
Press Win + I to open Windows Settings.
Step 2: Navigate to Accessibility
Click on Accessibility from the left sidebar, then select Text size.
Step 3: Adjust Text Size
Use the slider to increase text size. This can affect the size of window titles and borders in some apps.
Step 4: Apply Changes
Click Apply to save changes. You might need to sign out and back in to see the effect fully.
Note that this method does not directly change border thickness but can help improve visibility.
FAQs
Can I change window border color along with size?
Yes, you can customize border colors in Settings > Personalization > Colors. However, changing the actual border thickness requires registry edits as described above.
Will changing these settings affect system performance?
No, modifying window border sizes has no significant impact on system performance.
Can I revert these changes if I don’t like them?
Yes, simply go back to the Registry Editor and restore the BorderWidth and PaddedBorderWidth values to their defaults (usually -15 and -60), then restart your PC.
Are there third-party tools to change window border sizes?
Yes, some third-party customization tools offer more options for tweaking Windows UI. Always ensure you download such tools from trusted sources.
When Nothing Works
If you have followed all steps carefully and still don’t see the desired changes, consider the following options:
- Double-check that you restarted your PC after editing the registry.
- Verify that you have administrative rights on your user account.
- Look for Windows updates that might override custom settings.
- Use Microsoft’s official support pages or forums for additional help: Microsoft Support.
As a last resort, you can reset Windows to default settings, but this should only be done if you are comfortable with system recovery procedures.
Conclusion
Customizing window border size in Windows 11 requires a few extra steps compared to previous versions of Windows. By carefully adjusting the BorderWidth and PaddedBorderWidth registry values, you can make your window borders thicker or thinner to suit your preferences.
If you prefer not to edit the registry, using the Accessibility settings to adjust text size can provide some indirect improvements.
Always remember to back up your system or create a restore point before making changes to prevent any issues. With these simple steps, you can enhance your Windows 11 desktop experience for better usability and appearance.