This brief tutorial shows students and new users how to move or restore the Windows 11 taskbar to the left of the screen, similar to previous versions of Windows.
By default, Windows 11 has a Taskbar in the middle of your screen. This might be ok for some, but for others, it isn’t apparent and takes time to get used to. If you want to restore or move the Taskbar to the left of your screen, the steps below will show you how to do it. This is all done in the Windows Settings.
Moving the Taskbar to the left in Windows 11 can help users who are used to the previous versions of Windows to adapt to the new operating system. It can also make more efficient use of screen space, especially for users with widescreen monitors.
The left-aligned Taskbar can provide more room for desktop icons, making accessing frequently used apps and files easier. Additionally, for users who prefer a more traditional workflow, aligning the Taskbar to the left can make it feel more familiar and comfortable.
Open Windows 11 Settings
To make this change, you must go to the Windows Settings pane. There are many ways to open the Settings pane.
One way is to press the Windows + I keys on your keyboard. Another is to click the Start menu and select the “Settings” gear icon, as shown below.
When the Settings pane opens, click “Personalization” in the sidebar, then select the “Taskbar” tile on the right to expand it.
In the Taskbar settings, select the Taskbar behaviors tile to expand it. Next, click the drop-down menu beside “Taskbar Alignment.”
After that, the Taskbar should immediately be aligned to the left, similar to previous versions of Windows.
If you want to return to the default taskbar alignment, return to the Settings page, reverse the changes above, and the Taskbar will be centered.
Move the Taskbar to the left of the registry
The above steps can be done from the Windows registry. The registry allows us to force this setting for user profiles on the machine.
To change the Taskbar location, open the Windows registry by searching for regedit.
Browse to the location path below:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Double-click to open TaskbarAI and change the REG_DWORD value:
0 = Left
1 = Center
Conclusion
- Moving the Taskbar to the left in Windows 11 can enhance usability for those familiar with previous Windows versions.
- This adjustment can lead to a more comfortable and efficient workspace, particularly for users with widescreen monitors.
- A left-aligned Taskbar creates additional space for desktop icons, simplifying access to frequently used applications and files.
- Users can easily toggle between left and center alignment through the Windows Settings or the registry, allowing for personalized customization of their workspace.
- Adapting these settings can significantly improve productivity and align the desktop environment with individual preferences.
Leave a Reply