How to Move the Taskbar in Windows 11
Getting your taskbar positioned just right in Windows 11 isn’t complicated, but it can trip up some users—probably because Microsoft changed things up again. The key is knowing where to click. Just right-click on an empty space on the taskbar—anywhere without icons—and a menu will appear. From there, select Taskbar settings. This opens a list of options that let you customise how the taskbar looks and behaves. Look for the section called Taskbar behaviours. Within that, you’ll find a dropdown labelled Taskbar alignment. You can choose to line it up on the left or keep it centred, depending on your taste. Simply select your preference, and voilà—your taskbar will reposition instantly. Easy as! It’s a quick way to give your desktop a fresh look if you’re not keen on the default setup.
Changing Taskbar Placement in Windows 11
If you want to personalise your taskbar—whether it’s snapping it to the left or hiding it completely—there’s a straightforward way to do it. Someone upgrading from an older version of Windows might find it a bit unfamiliar at first, but don’t worry—that learning curve doesn’t take long. First, locate the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Right-click on an empty part of it, and the menu appears again. Click on Taskbar settings to open the options. Scroll down until you see Taskbar behaviours. Here, you’ll find the dropdown for Taskbar alignment. Select Left for the classic look, or choose Centre for a more modern feel. The change happens instantly—just pick what suits your style and watch it shift. Small tweak, big impact—it really makes your workspace feel more personal.
Tips for Customising Your Taskbar in Windows 11
If you like to make your desktop feel uniquely yours, there are plenty of handy tips to get your taskbar just right. Think about how you use your PC—that’ll help you decide. If familiarity is your thing, left-aligned icons are quickest to reach. Prefer a sleek, modern look? Centre-align them for a balanced aesthetic—many swear it looks better. Also, consider turning on Auto-hide to save screen space. To do this, go to Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar and toggle on Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode. While you’re at it, you might want to tweak icon sizes or decide whether to display widgets—each little change shapes how you interact with your device. And here’s a top tip: keep Windows updated! New updates often bring neat new features you might not have known about.
Can I Move the Taskbar to a Different Spot?
Moving Taskbar to the Top or Sides?
As of the latest Windows 11 updates, moving the taskbar to the top or sides isn’t an option—it’s either left or centred (for now). Some users have tried third-party tools or registry tweaks to do it, but be warned: not all of those methods are safe, and they could cause issues with your system. For most folks, sticking with left or centre alignment should do just fine.
Can’t Find the Taskbar Alignment Option?
If you’re looking and can’t find the alignment setting, it might be because your Windows 11 needs a quick update. Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix bugs and add features, so it’s worth checking. Head over to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Installing the latest version could restore missing options or improve your experience.
Will Changing the Taskbar Position Affect My Open Apps?
Not at all! Moving your taskbar doesn’t affect any of your open applications. It only changes where the taskbar sits on your screen. So, you can experiment with different positions without worrying about disrupting your workload or losing anything open.
Can I Change the Taskbar Colours?
Absolutely! Windows 11 lets you personalise the look of your taskbar, including adding some colour. Just go to Settings > Personalisation > Colours. Here, you can pick your favourite colour and enable Show accent colour on the Start menu, taskbar, and action centre. That’ll make your taskbar match the rest of your desktop theme, creating a seamless and stylish look.
Resizing the Taskbar—Is That Possible?
Here’s a heads-up: Windows 11 doesn’t officially allow resizing the taskbar. There are some DIY tricks floating around, but they can be risky and aren’t guaranteed to work. If you want a bigger or smaller taskbar, try adjusting icon sizes or screen scaling instead. For example, enabling Use small taskbar buttons in Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar can make it less bulky.
Quick Steps Recap
- Right-click on the taskbar to bring up options.
- Choose Taskbar settings.
- Scroll to Taskbar behaviours.
- Set Taskbar alignment to either left or centre.
- See the change happen immediately—simple as that.
On Personalising Your Windows 11 Desktop