How to Change Taskbar Position to Top or Side in Windows 11
Moving the Windows 11 taskbar to the top, left, or right side of your screen is now possible using a simple third-party app called ExplorerPatcher. The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of your screen that holds the Start button, open app icons, and the clock.
Microsoft locked the Windows 11 taskbar to the bottom by default, leaving many people wanting more layout options. Placing the taskbar at the top or side gives you extra screen space and lets you set up your desktop the way you like.
Right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Navigate to Taskbar behaviors and use the Taskbar position dropdown menu to select Top, Left, or Right. Your taskbar will move immediately.
Finding the New Taskbar Settings
Right-click any empty space on the taskbar and select ‘Taskbar settings’ from the pop-up menu to jump straight into the Personalization section of the Windows Settings app.
- Right-click on an empty spot on your taskbar . This is where you usually go to change settings or open Task Manager .
- A menu will pop up. Click on Taskbar settings. This will open the Personalization section in your Windows Settings app, focusing on the taskbar .
- Once you are in Taskbar settings, look for a section called Taskbar behaviors. This is where all the new options are.
New taskbar placement controls roll out gradually across devices via Microsoft updates. Joining the Windows Insider Program (a public testing channel for upcoming features) grants early access, or patience works just as well while awaiting the general rollout. Keeping the operating system current remains critical for security.
Choosing Your Taskbar’s New Home
Shifting the taskbar to the top, left, or right side takes a few clicks. Opening the ‘Taskbar behaviors’ menu reveals the ‘Taskbar position’ dropdown list for selecting the desired screen edge.
- In the Taskbar behaviors section, find the option called Taskbar alignment or Taskbar position. (The exact words might change a little as it rolls out).
- Click the dropdown menu. You will see options like:
- Bottom (Default): This is the normal spot for the Windows taskbar.
- Top: Your taskbar will now be at the top of your screen.
- Left: The taskbar will be a vertical bar on the left side of your screen.
- Right: The taskbar will be a vertical bar on the right side of your screen.
- Pick the position you like. Your taskbar should move right away. You don’t need to restart your computer!
Docking the taskbar on the side of a wide monitor frees up horizontal screen space. Wide displays offer more horizontal real estate than vertical. This configuration displays more content without scrolling, boosting productivity on displays measuring 24 inches or larger.
Aligning Your Icons (When Vertical)
Docking the taskbar vertically on the left or right edge unlocks custom icon arrangements. The 'Taskbar icon alignment' setting inside 'Taskbar behaviors' positions icons along the 'Top' or 'Center' of the vertical strip.
- Still in the Taskbar behaviors settings, look for an option about Taskbar icon alignment.
- When your taskbar is on the left or right, you will likely see options to align icons to the Top or Center of the vertical taskbar.
- When your taskbar is at the top or bottom, you will have options for Left or Center alignment.
Tailoring the taskbar configuration supports diverse work styles. Aligning icons to the top of a vertical taskbar mirrors the familiar bottom-left anchoring of the Start button.
Taskbar placement alters how dependent interface features behave. Docking the taskbar at the top forces the Start menu to drop down from that top edge, preserving an intuitive workflow.
Seeing Every Window at a Glance
Taskbar preferences dictate how application buttons render on screen. The 'Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels' toggle inside 'Taskbar behaviors', when set to 'Never', renders every open window as an individual button.
- Go back to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
- Look for the setting called Taskbar behaviors.
- Find the option that says "Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels". Make sure this is not checked (or set to "Never" if that's what it says).
Vertical taskbar orientations display individual application windows alongside descriptive text labels. Introduced in Windows 11 build 22000.653, this view accelerates window switching across complex projects.
Relocating the taskbar streamlines workflows for developers, writers, and power users juggling multiple files inside single applications. Moving the taskbar to the top or side exposes a persistent list of open tasks, cutting visual clutter and improving focus.
What's Still Being Worked On?
Moving the taskbar introduces minor quirks with certain legacy features. The auto-hide function and legacy Tablet Mode behaviors occasionally misbehave when the taskbar leaves the bottom edge.
- Auto-hide and Tablet Mode: The feature that hides the taskbar automatically, and how the taskbar works on tablets, might not work perfectly yet when the taskbar is moved from the bottom.
- Touch Gestures: If you use specific touch actions, they might still be in progress for these new taskbar positions.
- Search Box: In some cases, the full search box might just show a search icon when the taskbar is in a different position. This is expected to get better.
- Per-Monitor Settings & Drag and Drop: Things like having different taskbar positions on different screens, or dragging and dropping files onto taskbar icons, are things Microsoft is still thinking about.
Microsoft continues refining taskbar stability alongside expanding layout options. Maintaining a reliable desktop environment remains a core priority for future patches.
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Summary
Configuring the taskbar position via Windows Settings unlocks personalized layouts and maximizes productivity.
How do I get my taskbar back to the top?
To move the taskbar to the top in Windows 11, right-click an empty space on the taskbar, select 'Taskbar settings,' and then under 'Taskbar behaviors,' choose 'Top' from the 'Taskbar alignment' dropdown menu. This repositions the bar instantly.
How do I switch the position of my taskbar?
Switching the taskbar position in Windows 11 requires a few menu clicks. Right-click an empty taskbar area, select 'Taskbar settings,' navigate to 'Taskbar behaviors,' and use the 'Taskbar alignment' dropdown to pick a preferred position: left, right, top, or bottom.
How to move taskbar to top in 🪟 Windows 11?
To move the taskbar to the top in Windows 11, right-click an empty taskbar area and select 'Taskbar settings.' In the 'Taskbar behaviors' section, open the 'Taskbar alignment' dropdown and pick 'Top.' The taskbar relocates to the top edge immediately.
How to make taskbar 🪟 Windows 11 on top?
To place the Windows 11 taskbar on top, right-click an empty spot on the taskbar and select 'Taskbar settings.' Under 'Taskbar behaviors,' locate the 'Taskbar alignment' option and select 'Top' to complete the move.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
You don’t mention that you need to be a Windows Insider to use this.