Trying to shift that taskbar over to the right in Windows 11? Fair dinkum, it’s a bit of a pain because Microsoft left that one out of the options. You can’t just drag it like in the old days. But if you’re keen to have a crack, a quick tweak in the registry might do the trick. It’s not always foolproof, and on some setups, you might need to restart Explorer or reboot. Still, worth a go if you want more space on the right.
Moving Your Taskbar to the Right Side in Windows 11
Putting the taskbar there gives your workspace a fresh look and can even help you get to your apps a bit quicker if you’re into vertical bars. Here’s what you do — it’s a bit of a hack, so don’t come crying if something goes a bit pear-shaped. Most folks reckon it’s all good after a reboot though.
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
Hit Windows + R, type regedit and hit Enter. If a User Account Control (UAC) box pops up, click “Yes.” This is Windows letting you poke around the system settings — just be careful, yeah? One wrong move and it could get dodgy.
Step 2: Find the registry key for taskbar settings
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3. Yep, that crazy long path — makes you wonder what the registry is up to. This is where Windows keeps info about your taskbar, including where it is and how big it is.
Step 3: Change the binary value
Right-click on the “Settings” value, select “Modify,” and you’ll see a bunch of hex data. The fifth value in the second row controls the position of the taskbar. Change that byte to 02. Basically telling Windows, “Hey, put this on the right side now.”
Pro tip: On some PCs, editing the hex doesn’t work straight away. You might need to restart Explorer or do a full reboot.
Step 4: Exit the registry and restart Explorer
Close the registry editor. Then, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Find “Windows Explorer,” right-click it, and choose “Restart.” That gets your desktop refreshed without a full reboot. Sometimes you need to do this step first—your results might vary. If nothing happens, a full reboot might be in order.
Step 5: Check your taskbar
Look up and see if it’s now hanging out on the right side. If not, double-check everything—you might’ve missed a hex digit or need to restart again.
Honestly, on some setups, it might take a few goes or a reboot. Windows can be a bit finicky about these tweaks.
Tips for Moving the Taskbar to the Right in Windows 11
- Back up your registry before mucking about — since Windows seems to make it tricky.
- If it buggers up, just revert the registry key to its original value (usually hex
00or01, depending on your build). - Sometimes, trying different hex values or resetting defaults helps if nothing seems to stick initially.
- Keep your Windows up to date; maybe one day it’ll be easier to do this without hacks.
- And hey, have a look at other customisation options—like vertical apps or the favourites bar—if you’re after a different setup.
FAQs
Can I put the taskbar anywhere I like in Windows 11?
Officially? Nah. Microsoft only lets you put it at the bottom or sides, but no free placement like before. Registry tweaks are your best bet.
Is messing with the registry safe? I’m a bit worried.
As long as you’re careful and back things up first, you’ll be alright. Just don’t go changing random stuff — stick to the steps. A dodgy registry change can cause issues, so take your time.
Why isn’t my taskbar moving after the hex edit?
Sometimes Windows is a bit stubborn. Double-check you edited the right value, then try restarting Explorer or rebooting. A few machines need that extra nudge.
Are third-party tools worth a burl?
There are some apps out there for customising the taskbar, but choose wisely. Stick to reputable ones to avoid malware or bloatware. They can sometimes make things easier without hacking the registry.
Summary
- Open
regedit - Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3
- Edit the “Settings” value, change the position byte to
02 - Close the registry, restart Explorer, or reboot if needed
- Check if the taskbar’s on the right now
Hopefully this saves someone a bit of hassle. Windows can be quirky, but sometimes a bit of footy doesn’t go astray to get things just right.