Linux interfaces vary depending on the Desktop Environment (DE). The following instructions apply to GNOME, which is the default for Ubuntu and many popular distributions.
On Windows, there are three primary ways to shrink your icons depending on how much precision you need. 1. The Right-Click Menu (Preset Sizes)
Reducing desktop icon size is a simple but effective method to declutter a digital workspace. The optimal approach depends on user preference: keyboard shortcuts offer speed, display scaling offers system-wide consistency, and registry/terminal commands offer precision. Most users will find the “Ctrl + Scroll” (Windows) or “View Options” slider (macOS) sufficient. Regular adjustment of icon size, combined with other desktop management practices, contributes to a cleaner, more productive computing environment. how to reduce desktop icon size
Reducing desktop icon size can help:
If using a specific "Desktop Icons" extension (common in newer Ubuntu versions): Linux interfaces vary depending on the Desktop Environment
On high-resolution screens, reducing icon size via right-click might make the icons tiny while the text remains huge.
Sometimes icons appear large due to the grid spacing. Most users will find the “Ctrl + Scroll”
The fastest method for Windows 10 and 11 involves using a combination of keyboard and mouse inputs.