How to decrease the taskbar size in Windows XP

In order to minimize the task bar to the desired size please follow the steps given below:

Right click on the task bar and make sure whether the “Lock Task bar” option is unchecked.
If it is checked, uncheck the option.
Move the mouse to the upper edge of the taskbar and click on the edge and drag it to the desired size by holding the mouse button.
The task bar will be set to the desired size.
Right click on the task bar again and select the “Lock Task bar” option.

For pictorial representation of the above mentioned steps, please view the following articles:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/homeusers/articles/5tips.mspx

http://www.coolnerds.com/XP/Taskbar/xpTaskbar.htm