Moving the taskbar in Windows 11 isn’t as simple as just dragging it like in the old days — because of course, Windows had to make it a bit more fiddly. Usually, folks notice they can’t just click and drag the taskbar to the top, sides, or bottom anymore. Instead, you’ve got to go into the settings, which can feel a bit confusing or just a pain if you’re used to an older Windows version. The good news is, with a few clicks, you can shift that little bar around to suit your workflow better. It’s not a game-changer, but it takes the edge off, especially when screens get wider and the default placement feels a bit off.
How to Move the Taskbar in Windows 11
Here’s the rundown — a step-by-step that’ll work for most setups. If your PC keeps stubbornly sticking with the default bottom position, then it’s probably time to tweak the settings via the personalization menu. Just a heads-up: you can’t natively move it to the top or sides, but the left and centre options usually do the trick. The whole process is about Settings, so let’s dive in.
Method 1: Using Settings to Change Taskbar Alignment
- Right-click on the taskbar: Find an empty space on the taskbar and right-click. Strange but true, that’s how you access its menu. On some setups, the menu might be a bit minimal, so don’t expect heaps of options.
- Select “Taskbar settings”: This opens the main customization area. Alternatively, you can go through Start menu → Settings → Personalization → Taskbar if right-clicking doesn’t do the trick.
- Scroll down to find “Taskbar behaviours”: This is where most of the magic happens. It’s tucked away in a dropdown or expandable section, so you might need to click to reveal it. On certain builds, the menu might look a bit different if your Windows 11 isn’t fully up-to-date — so make sure you’ve got the latest updates installed.
- Look for “Taskbar alignment”: Here, you’ll find options like “Left” or “Centre”. Selecting “Left” moves the icons to the side, more like the Windows of old. “Centre” is default, but if you prefer the icons on the left for quicker access, go for that.
- Choose your preference and close the menu: It kicks in straight away, no restart needed — but if you don’t see the change immediately, a quick reboot can help.
Quick note: You can’t natively move the taskbar to the top or sides in Windows 11 without some tweaks or third-party tools. For most, switching the alignment left or centre is enough. Once you’ve set it, your workflow should feel a bit smoother, especially if the default position wasn’t doing it for you.
Method 2: Using Registry Hacks or Third-party Tools
- Registry edits or third-party apps might let you move the taskbar to any position — but that’s another story and not always safe or straightforward. If you want to give it a crack, tools like Winhance on GitHub are options — just be aware they can cause issues or get blocked after Windows updates.
In the end, most people find messing around with the settings enough, unless you’re after a totally custom layout that Windows doesn’t support out of the box. And remember: changes stick after reboot, but a quick restart of Windows Explorer often does the trick too — just hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find “Windows Explorer”, right-click, then hit “Restart”.
Tips for Moving the Taskbar in Windows 11
- Make sure your Windows 11 is fully up-to-date; sometimes, Microsoft patches these quirks in the latest updates.
- Try switching between left and centre alignment to see what works best in your setup. Neither’s perfect, but a bit of fiddling helps.
- If things go a bit weird after you change things, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find “Windows Explorer”, right-click, then choose “Restart”. It refreshes the taskbar without a full reboot.
- Size of the taskbar can also change how it looks. Want it bigger or smaller? Head to Settings → Display → Scale & Layout to tweak the size.
- Don’t forget — you can pin, unpin, and rearrange icons just like before, just in a different spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen?
Usually not natively. Windows 11 doesn’t support moving the taskbar to the top or sides without some registry tweaks or third-party apps — and those aren’t always reliable.
Why can’t I drag my taskbar like I used to?
Because Windows 11 simplified things, drag-and-drop positioning was limited on purpose. It’s all about keeping it uniform now.
Will moving the taskbar break my open apps?
Not at all. Moving it just rearranges where the icon bar sits. Easy to undo if you change your mind later.
How do I undo my changes?
Just head back into Settings and pick the original alignment. Easy as.
Can I customise icons after moving the taskbar?
Absolutely. You can pin, unpin, and rearrange icons — just like before, maybe a little less obvious where to find everything.
Summary
- Right-click the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”.
- Scroll to “Taskbar behaviours”.
- Pick your preferred alignment — left or centre.
- Reboot if needed, or restart Windows Explorer with Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Have a crack, tweak as you go, and enjoy your new setup.
Wrap-up
Hopefully, this saves you a few minutes of frustration and makes your setup a bit more user-friendly. Until Microsoft releases another update, it’s pretty much as good as it gets without messing around with registry hacks or third-party tools.