How to Move Windows 11 Taskbar to the Left
Moving the Windows 11 taskbar to the left puts the Start button and your open apps back in the traditional corner spot instead of the center. Microsoft introduced the centered taskbar layout in Windows 11, but the Settings app includes a built-in switch to move everything back to the left side.
You can change this setting in less than a minute if you prefer the classic Windows 10 look. Open the Settings app, find the taskbar options, and pick left alignment to update your screen right away.
Open Settings , go to Personalization, then Taskbar. Expand Taskbar behaviors, click Taskbar alignment, and choose Left from the dropdown menu. Your taskbar icons will immediately shift to the left.
How to Move the Taskbar to the Left Using Windows Settings
To move Windows 11 taskbar left using the built-in Settings app , open the Settings window, go to Personalization, click Taskbar, and then choose Left from the Taskbar behaviors menu. This restores the classic Windows layout so your app icons sit back in the bottom-left corner where they used to be.
- Open Settings : Click the Start menu button (the Windows icon in the bottom center) and then click Settings . Or, press the Win+I on your keyboard to open Settings quickly.
- In the Settings window, click on Personalization from the left menu.
- Next, click Taskbar on the right side.
- Scroll down and find Taskbar behaviors. Click it to expand more options.
- Look for Taskbar alignment. Click the drop-down menu and select Left.
What happens? The Taskbar icons will immediately move to the left side of your screen.
If you want to go back to the default centered Taskbar, just follow the same steps and choose Center in the Taskbar alignment menu.
How to Move the Taskbar to the Left Using the Registry (Advanced)
To move Windows 11 taskbar left using the Registry Editor, open the registry tool, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced, and change the value of TaskbarAl to 0. This method applies the alignment change across your profile and works when you want an alternative to the standard settings menu.
Making wrong changes can cause problems with your system.
Here's how to do it:
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run box.
- Type
regeditand press Enter to open the Registry Editor. [Requires admin privileges] - In the Registry Editor, navigate to this path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced - Look for a value named TaskbarAl (or TaskbarAI in some versions).
- Double-click it, and change its value data to:
- 0 = Taskbar on the left
- 1 = Taskbar centered (default)
- After you change this, restart your computer or sign out and back in to see the changes.
Summary
Moving your Windows 11 taskbar to the left is simple and can make your screen easier to use, especially on wide monitors, giving it a familiar look from older Windows versions.Was this guide helpful?
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.
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