If you want icons smaller than the "Small" preset but don't want to hold Ctrl every time, you can edit the grid spacing. Warning: This requires a registry edit.
If you want everything (text, apps, and icons) to appear smaller, right-click the desktop and choose Display settings . Under Scale & layout , select a lower percentage from the dropdown menu. How to Make Desktop Icons Smaller on macOS how to make smaller desktop icons
There are three distinct ways to do this, ranging from quick to precise. If you want icons smaller than the "Small"
Right-click the desktop and select Display settings . Under the Scale & layout section, use the dropdown to select a lower percentage (e.g., 100% instead of 125%) to shrink all screen elements, including icons. macOS Under Scale & layout , select a lower
macOS does not allow as much freedom as Windows, but you have a few options.