How to Customize Windows 11 Taskbar Settings
Windows 11 taskbar settings control how the strip of apps at the bottom of your screen looks and behaves. This core navigation bar holds your Start button , open programs, and system tray .
Moving your taskbar icons back to the left side takes just a few clicks, shifting them from the centered look back to the familiar Windows 10 position. You can also turn on auto-hide so the bar slides out of view when you do not need it, giving you more screen space.
Adjust taskbar alignment by going to Settings Personalization Taskbar Taskbar behaviors, then select Left or Center for Taskbar alignment. You can also hide or show taskbar items like Search and Widgets from this same menu.
Taskbar Alignment: Left vs. Center
By default, Windows 11 centers your taskbar icons. Classic layouts require moving them back to the left.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Personalization > Taskbar.
- Click Taskbar behaviors.
- Find Taskbar alignment and choose Left or Center.
Managing Taskbar Behaviors and Buttons
Control how your Windows 11 taskbar buttons behave, like whether they group together or show labels, directly from the settings . To adjust these Windows 11 taskbar settings, navigate to Settings Personalization Taskbar From there, select Taskbar behaviors to change how your icons combine or display labels.
- Navigate to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
- Select Taskbar behaviors.
- Always: Icons are grouped together to save space.
- When taskbar is full: Icons group only when you have many apps open.
- Never: Each window shows its own label, making it easy to see every open app.
System Tray and Notification Area
The system tray , found on the bottom right, shows your clock and background apps running in Windows 11.
- Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
- Click Other system tray icons to toggle specific apps on or off.
- Use the System tray icons menu to hide or show the volume, network, or input indicators.
Widgets and Search Customization
Redundant elements like the Search , Widgets, or Chat buttons hide away if unused, clearing clutter from the interface.
- Open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
- Under Taskbar items, toggle the switches for Search, Widgets, and Chat to Off.
Advanced Registry Tweaks
For deeper customization of your Windows 11 taskbar settings beyond what the regular menus offer, the Registry Editor (a database for storing low-level system settings) provides advanced control. Press Win + R on your keyboard, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Target specific values within the database to force custom layouts.
Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named `TaskbarSi`. Set its value to 0, 1, or 2 to control button grouping.
Summary
Tweaking these preferences tailors the workspace to personal preference.
How do I move the taskbar to the top or sides in 🪟 Windows 11?
Unlike previous versions of Windows, Windows 11 does not natively support moving the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen. The taskbar is locked to the bottom position by design to ensure the stability of the new interface and the Start menu layout.
Can I change the size of the taskbar in 🪟 Windows 11?
Windows 11 lacks a direct slider for taskbar height. Instead, adjust the overall system scaling under Settings > Display > Scale. This percentage change affects the taskbar and all other on-screen elements.
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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.
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