How to Change Taskbar Position to Top or Side in Windows 11

For years, Windows has kept that helpful bar at the bottom of your screen. It has worked well, but Microsoft is finally letting you move it! Get ready, because Windows 11 is getting a big update that lets you put your taskbar anywhere you want – the top, bottom, left, or right!

This isn’t just about how it looks. It’s about making your computer work better for *you*. Maybe you’re a coder who needs more space to see your work. Or perhaps you find it easier to reach the top of your screen. Or you just like a different layout. This update lets you decide.

Finding the New Taskbar Settings

So, how do you do this? Microsoft is putting these new options in a place you already know, but with some new choices. You won’t need to search through confusing menus or download anything extra.

1. Right-click on an empty spot on your taskbar. This is where you usually go to change settings or open Task Manager.
2. A menu will pop up. Click on Taskbar settings. This will open the Personalization section in your Windows Settings app, focusing on the taskbar.
3. Once you are in Taskbar settings, look for a section called Taskbar behaviors. This is where all the new options are.

Pro Tip: If you don’t see these options yet, don’t worry! Microsoft is adding these features slowly. You might need to be part of the Windows Insider Program to get them early. Or, you can just wait for a Windows Update. Make sure your system is updated!

Choosing Your Taskbar’s New Home

This is the main part! In the Taskbar behaviors section, you will find a new dropdown menu. This menu lets you choose where your taskbar sits.

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. Pick the position you like. Your taskbar should move right away. You don’t need to restart your computer!

Practical Tip: If you have a very wide monitor, a vertical taskbar on the left or right can be very helpful. It frees up space on the sides, which is often more limited than top-to-bottom space on these screens. This lets you see more of your work without scrolling.

Aligning Your Icons (When Vertical)

When you move your taskbar to the left or right side, your icons might look a bit strange. They might still try to stay in the middle, which doesn’t feel right on a vertical bar. Luckily, you can change this too.

1. Still in the Taskbar behaviors settings, look for an option about Taskbar icon alignment.
2. 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.
3. When your taskbar is at the top or bottom, you will have options for Left or Center alignment.

Try these options to see what feels best for how you work. For a vertical taskbar, aligning icons to the top often feels more natural, like the Start button in the bottom-left corner.

Warning: Some features might work a little differently depending on where your taskbar is. For example, when the taskbar is at the top, the Start menu will open from the top edge. This is meant to be easy to understand, but it’s good to know if you are used to a certain way of doing things.

Seeing Every Window at a Glance

This is a great benefit, especially if you use many applications at once. When you use this new taskbar position with a specific setting, you can see all your open windows much more clearly.

1. Go back to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
2. Look for the setting called Taskbar behaviors.
3. 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).

Now, when you use a vertical taskbar (left or right) and have many windows open for the same app, each window will show up as its own button with its name. This makes it much easier to find and switch between different documents or projects.

Why this is cool: People who code, write, or work with many files in the same program will find this very useful. It’s like having a clearer, always-visible list of your open tasks right on the edge of your screen.

What’s Still Being Worked On?

This update is a big improvement, but Microsoft is always making things better. Here are a few things that might still be changing or have limits:

• 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.

Important Note: Microsoft wants to make sure things work as expected and you don’t accidentally move your taskbar. So, while they are adding more choices, they also want to keep it a stable and reliable part of your Windows experience.

Summary

You can now move your Windows taskbar to the top, bottom, left, or right of your screen. To do this, right-click on the taskbar, go to Taskbar settings, and find Taskbar behaviors. There, you can select your preferred position and alignment. This makes your computer more customizable and can help you work more efficiently, especially with different screen setups. Some features might still be updated, but the core ability to reposition your taskbar is here!