Windows 11 taskbar customization just got a serious power-user upgrade — Microsoft has officially restored the ability to reposition the taskbar to the top, left, or right edges of your screen. After five years of the taskbar being locked to the bottom, this is the change millions of users have been waiting for, and it’s rolling out now through Windows Insider builds ahead of a broader release.
Why the Taskbar Was Stuck at the Bottom (Until Now)
When Windows 11 launched in October 2021, Microsoft made the controversial decision to remove the freely repositionable taskbar that had existed since Windows 95. The reasoning was tied to a complete architectural rewrite of the taskbar — the new version was rebuilt from the ground up, and positional flexibility simply wasn’t included in the initial design. That left users who preferred a top-of-screen or vertical taskbar with no official option, forcing many to rely on third-party tools like ExplorerPatcher or Start11 to replicate the classic behaviour.
That workaround era is now coming to an end. In May 2026, Microsoft’s Windows Insider team officially announced taskbar repositioning as an upcoming feature, confirming that users will be able to place the taskbar on any of the four edges of their screen, with independent icon alignment controls for each position.
What the New Taskbar Position Windows 11 Feature Actually Offers
The new controls go well beyond simply toggling which edge the taskbar sits on. According to Microsoft’s announcement, the updated personalisation options include:
- Four-edge positioning: Top, bottom, left, or right — your choice, per display.
- Icon alignment per position: When the taskbar moves to the top, you can still choose left-aligned or centred icons.
- Resizable taskbar height: Resize the bar for a compact look or a roomier, touch-friendly experience.
- Retained Copilot and system tray functionality: All existing taskbar widgets, the clock, and notification centre remain accessible regardless of position.
These are genuine Settings-level options — no registry hacks, no third-party apps required. You access them via Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviours, where a new “Taskbar position” drop-down will appear once your build supports the feature.
How to Enable the New Move Taskbar Windows 11 Options Step by Step
Once the feature reaches your Windows build, here’s exactly how to change your taskbar position:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to Personalisation, then select Taskbar.
- Scroll down to Taskbar behaviours and click to expand the section.
- Locate the new Taskbar position on screen drop-down menu.
- Select Top, Left, Right, or Bottom.
- If you moved the bar to the top, also adjust Taskbar icon alignment to your preference (Left or Centre).
- Your changes apply instantly — no restart required.
If you don’t see the “Taskbar position” option yet, your build hasn’t received the update. Keep Windows Update running, or consider enrolling in the Windows Insider Programme (Beta or Release Preview channel) to get earlier access.
Taskbar Position Windows 11 vs Windows 10: What’s Different?
Windows 10 users could reposition the taskbar by simply right-clicking it, unchecking “Lock the taskbar”, and then dragging it to any edge. It was instant and intuitive. Windows 11’s implementation is more deliberate — you’ll go through Settings rather than drag-and-drop — but it compensates with additional controls like per-position icon alignment and resizing that Windows 10 never offered natively.
One notable change: the vertical taskbar in Windows 11 does not display app labels next to icons by default (similar to Windows 10’s small-icon vertical mode). Instead, it shows icon-only buttons in a column, keeping the bar compact. This is a stylistic decision that suits widescreen monitors particularly well, where sacrificing a narrow strip of horizontal space for a permanent vertical launcher makes a lot of sense.
Why Moving the Taskbar to the Top or Side Is Worth Considering
Desktop real estate matters, especially on ultrawide and high-resolution displays. Here’s why power users prefer a repositioned taskbar:
- Widescreen monitors: A vertical taskbar on a 21:9 display wastes very little screen width while fully freeing up vertical space — critical for document editing, coding, and web browsing.
- Top-mounted preference: Many users who came from macOS find a top taskbar more natural, with the menu/tray area at the same visual level as browser tabs and application title bars.
- Multi-monitor setups: Repositioning per display (a feature Microsoft has also improved) means you can put the taskbar exactly where your eye travels on each screen.
- Focus mode workflows: Moving the taskbar out of the bottom-centre reduces accidental hover-activation of the Start menu during full-screen work sessions.
Windows 11 Taskbar Customization Beyond Position
Position is just the beginning of what Windows 11 now lets you control in the taskbar. Alongside repositioning, the same 2026 update wave also includes other long-requested tweaks worth knowing about:
Resizable Taskbar Height
You’ll be able to drag the taskbar edge to resize it — useful for high-DPI screens where the default bar can feel cramped, or for users who want a minimal sliver at the bottom. Microsoft confirmed resizing support as part of the same personalisation push.
Start Menu Layout Improvements
The Start menu is also getting a layout overhaul alongside the taskbar changes, with more user control over pinned apps and a refined recommended section. The two features are being developed together, which makes sense — if you move the taskbar to the top, the Start menu needs to open from the correct edge accordingly.
Taskbar Icon Alignment
The existing left/centre alignment toggle — introduced in Windows 11 22H2 — carries forward and now works in conjunction with all four taskbar positions, giving you granular control over how your pinned apps and system icons are spaced.
Do You Need a New Windows Licence to Get These Features?
No. These taskbar customisation improvements are rolling out as a free Windows Update to all licensed Windows 11 users — Home and Pro alike. If you’re already on Windows 11, keep your device updated and the features will arrive automatically.
However, if you’re still running Windows 10, now is an excellent time to upgrade. Windows 10 mainstream support ends on 13 October 2026, meaning no further security patches after that date for standard users. Upgrading to Windows 11 not only gives you access to these new taskbar personalisation tools but also keeps your PC fully protected. You can pick up a genuine Windows 11 Pro Retail licence from Shop Key Online for €17.95, with instant email delivery and a lifetime activation guarantee. If you also need Office, the Windows 11 Pro + Office 2021 Pro Plus bundle brings both for €36.90 — a significant saving versus buying separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windows 11 taskbar customization available right now?
As of May 2026, the new taskbar position and resizing features are available to Windows Insider Programme members on the Beta and Release Preview channels. A broader rollout to all Windows 11 users is expected in the coming months via standard Windows Update. Keep your device updated to receive it as soon as it reaches your release ring.
Can I move the taskbar to the top without third-party tools?
Yes — once the 2026 update reaches your build, you can move the taskbar to the top entirely within Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviours, with no registry editing or third-party software needed. Prior to this update, tools like ExplorerPatcher were the only option.
Will vertical taskbar position work with all apps?
Microsoft has worked to ensure compatibility, but some older applications that hard-code taskbar position assumptions (particularly those that detect screen edges for snap or pop-up behaviour) may behave unexpectedly. Modern apps and all standard Windows 11 apps are fully compatible with all four taskbar positions.
Does taskbar position affect multiple monitors independently?
Yes. Microsoft’s update allows per-display taskbar positioning, so you can place the taskbar at the bottom on your primary monitor and at the top or side on a secondary display — a long-requested feature for multi-monitor power users.
Do I need Windows 11 Pro or is Home sufficient for these features?
The new taskbar customisation options are available on both Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro — they are personalisation features, not Pro-only capabilities. Any fully licensed and updated Windows 11 device will receive them.
