how do I get the smallest taskbar size

I assume you have the Properties (W7) set to 'small icons'. Unlock the taskbar, and drag the upper border down to it's 'minimum' size, and that is it. Remember, not all skins will allow you to do that.

Yes, I did choose small icons in (taskbar) properties, and my taskbar is unlocked. Dragging the top only works to make it larger, so it's already at its smallest, but it's still too wide for my taste. When I first applied the skin I'm using now (Acrylic) it gave me the size I wanted. On another machine where I also use this skin the taskbar is how I want it. Just not here. I'm sure it must be some simple thing, but apparently not as simple as dragging the top down. Is there a registry setting where the smallest setting for the taskbar size can be set? Maybe that got clobbered somehow.

Are you using the OS on each computer that you have the skin running on? 

If you do then you should be able to compare your settings.

The other computer is at work. I can't get at it today. But it is running xp so I'm not sure I can compare settings meaningfully. As far as I know I'm using the same settigs for the display - small icons, WB7 to use a small taskbar. Not sure what additional settings should be considered.

The fact that the work computer is running XP might mean that the skins are different on each OS something to ask the skinner. 

Perhaps this will help...in your WB config advanced settings (red dots):

Those are the settings I use.

I am the author of Pristine.  My taskbars are always small...I make them 30 pixels high.  When I uploaded that blind, I had the taskbar set with small icons, and my taskbar locked ( I always have it locked.)  For my skin, DO NOT use the Use Small Taskbar from the settings referenced above by Doc, choose  Skin Decides Taskbar size instead.  From the taskbar Properties, check Use small icons.  Then if you decide at some later point that you want the double sized taskbar, just uncheck Use small Icons.

Hope this helps....

MJ... I chose that setting only to help him achieve the smallest size possible...as he seemed to wish. I also use the "allow skin to choose" setting.

@mhguda: Perhaps you'd post a screen shot of the size you're talking about?

Doc...I was referring to my skin only as far as taskbar size goes.  Actually, it would apply to all of my skins.  I make the default size of all my taskbars 30 px high, the smallest that they can be for the OS.

I was not speaking about the other skins, as I do not know what their taskbar sizes are.

Logged out for a while to do some other stuff... sorry for not responding. However, I found a discussion on a Windows forum where the problem I had with taskbar size seems fairly common. The people there had a workaround. It is to unselect Use small icons in taskbar properties, and then resize the taskbar by dragging, as Doc suggested. Once the taskbar with the now large icons is at its minimum you then reselect Use small icons. I tried that, and so far my taskbar has stayed the size I wanted it (I think about 30 pixels). I will try locking it and also try Pristine again. It was not clear what causes this problem but those people thought it was a windows bug...

Glad it worked out for you, mhguda. Hope it sticks!

At least if it doesn't I'll know how to get the small taskbar back. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.