Windows 11 Will Finally Give You the Ability to Move and Resize the Taskbar.
Following harsh criticism of the quality of Windows 11, Microsoft has launched a sort of apology tour. The company promises to improve the operating system by addressing critical issues and fixing features that irritate long-time Windows users. It all started with a way to defer Windows updates for more than a week . Now, Microsoft is testing new settings that allow users to customize the placement and size of the taskbar next to the Start menu.
The inability to move the taskbar to the top or side of the screen has plagued Windows 11 users since the system’s launch. As with many other annoying aspects of Windows, there are numerous workarounds for customizing the taskbar and its position using third-party apps and registry changes . But now, Windows users will finally have a reliable, built-in option for customizing the taskbar. These changes are currently rolling out over the next few weeks to Windows Insiders in the Experimental Ring . We hope to see them arrive in the general build soon.
Move the taskbar to any location convenient for you.
The biggest news, of course, is that the taskbar is finally detached from the bottom of the screen—at least if you want it to be. You can now move it up, to the left, or right edge of the screen. The taskbar’s contents will automatically adjust as you move it. You can also choose where you want to align the icons. You can place them at the top or center when the taskbar is on the sides, or on the left or center when it’s on the top or bottom.
If you pin the taskbar to the side, you’ll see a new “Never merge” option for taskbar buttons and the ability to display full labels for all windows individually. This essentially displays a vertical list of all open windows, even if they belong to the same app. Windows Insiders who already have this feature can go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Behavior to customize the position of the taskbar and icon alignment.
If you’re using a Windows tablet or laptop with a small screen, you can now reduce the size of the Windows taskbar (icons will also automatically shrink). Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Behavior > Show smaller taskbar buttons and set it to Always .
Removing unnecessary items from the Start menu has become easier.
The Start menu in Windows 11 has expanded to include not only apps but also recommendations, shortcuts, and even updates from your connected smartphone. If you just need a quick way to launch apps, this might seem unnecessary. Microsoft is now consolidating settings for personalizing the Start menu, making it easier to create a minimalist experience.
Many more taskbar changes are planned for the near future. Over the next few weeks, Microsoft will begin adding Start menu customization features that allow you to independently show or hide sections like Pinned, Recommended, and All. There will be a dedicated toggle to disable the Recommended section only in the Start menu (separating it from the Recent Files section in File Explorer), as well as a new Start menu size setting that lets you choose between small and large . Currently, the Start menu automatically adapts to your display, which may not be consistent if you use multiple displays and a laptop. Finally, Microsoft is adding the ability to hide your name and profile photo from the Start menu for increased privacy. Together, these features will create a smaller Start menu, without profile photos, that displays only the apps you’ve pinned yourself.