The taskbar is arguably the most important part of Windows 11. As the starting point for many searches, app launches, and settings changes, it’s something you interact with dozens of times a day. .
But compared to the Windows 10 version, it feels like the taskbar has moved back on launch. Many popular features were missing, while there was no obvious benefit to the new design.
Microsoft has added a few since, but there’s still work to be done. You can speed up the process using this article, which includes six of the most popular ways to customize the Windows 11 taskbar.
Windows 11’s taskbar can feel a little cluttered, especially once you’ve pinned your own apps to it. Fortunately, Microsoft lets you choose whether certain key tools or icons are displayed:
- Head to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar
- Under ‘Taskbar Items’, use the drop-down list next to ‘Look for’ to choose how you want the feature displayed (if any)
- Next to ‘Task view’, ‘Widgets’ and ‘Chat’, use the toggles to choose whether you want the icons to appear on the taskbar
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- Under “System tray icons”, decide whether you want the pen menu (when a pen is in use) or the virtual touchpad icons to display using the toggles
- Using the drop-down list next to “Touch Keyboard”, choose when you want it to appear
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- Click “Other System Tray Icons” to expand this section
- Flip the toggle to the “On” position for anything you want to always appear in the taskbar, and “Off” for the ones you don’t.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The centralized Start menu was one of the most controversial changes in Windows 11, but also one of the easiest to fix. Since its launch, Microsoft has made it easier to move the Start menu to its traditional position on the left side:
- Head to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar
- Click “Taskbar Behaviors” to expand this section
- Click the drop-down list next to “Taskbar Alignment” and select “Left”. The change will be applied immediately
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In the same section, there is also the option to auto-hide the taskbar and decide whether you want badges or flashing to be displayed on apps on the taskbar. On touchscreen devices, you can also decide to optimize it for use as a tablet.
You can also switch between any window’s sharing options from the taskbar, desktop quick access in the rightmost corner, and seconds next to the time.
Move it to the top, left or right of the screen
In Windows 10, you can move the taskbar to either side or top of the screen if you prefer. But Microsoft removed that with the introduction of Windows 11…or did it?
Although technically no longer available, there is a workaround that lets you access these legacy options. Just be aware that this involves making changes to the registry, so it’s worth backing everything up first and following these instructions carefully:
- In the search bar next to the start menu, type “registry editor” and open the corresponding application
- In the pop-up window that appears, click “Yes” to confirm
- In the navigation bar at the top, replace the existing text with ‘Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3’ and press Enter
- Double-click “Settings” to open it
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- Locate the value that is six columns and two rows down. It should currently be ’03’, indicating a bottom-aligned taskbar. Replace it with ’00’ for the left one, ’01’ for the right one or ’00’ at the top
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- Click ‘OK’ to confirm
- Restart your device to apply the changes
Change its size
Here’s another one that relies on the Registry. The Windows 11 taskbar stays the same size regardless of your overall screen size, which can make it annoyingly small or large.
Microsoft doesn’t officially allow you to change its size, but there is a way:
- In the search bar next to the start menu, type “registry editor” and open the corresponding application
- In the pop-up window that appears, click “Yes” to confirm
- In the navigation bar at the top, replace the existing text with ‘Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced’ and press Enter
- Right-click on any whitespace and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
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- Give it “TaskbarSi” as a name and hit enter, then double click on it
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- The ‘Value data’ should currently be ‘1’, indicating the default medium taskbar. Enter ‘0’ for a small version or ‘2’ for a large version, then click ‘OK’
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
- Restart your device to apply the changes
Change its color or make it transparent
In Windows 11, you can give the taskbar (and all other accents) any color you want:
- Head to Settings > Personalization > Colors
- Next to ‘Accent Color’, make sure ‘Manual’ is selected from the drop-down list
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- Click on one of the predefined “Windows colors”, which will be applied immediately. You can also click “Show Colors” and choose something very specific, then click “Done”.
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- Next to “Show accent color on startup and taskbar,” move the toggle to the “On” position.
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Just above the “Accent Color” options, you’ll see a toggle for “Transparency Effects.” Rather than taking on a solid color, the taskbar becomes slightly transparent to blend in with other elements more seamlessly. This is enabled by default, but it’s up to you if you want to keep it that way.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Decide what happens when external displays are connected
External displays are the easiest way to extend your total screen real estate, but that doesn’t mean you want the taskbar to look the same on all of them. Fortunately, you have a few options:
- Head to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar
- Click “Taskbar Behaviors” to expand this section
- Check the box next to “Show my taskbar on all screens” if that’s something you want
- Next to “When using multiple monitors, show taskbar apps on”, click the drop-down list. Choose one of three options, all of which are self-explanatory
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Add labels and never combine app icons (coming soon)
Two other features that Microsoft removed with the introduction of Windows 11 will return soon. As a Twitter user Albacore reported for the first timethe ability to label items in the taskbar and stop combining open windows of the same application into a single view will be added.
The features are now available to members of the Windows Insider Program, ahead of a full release expected in the near future – potentially in the 23H2 update.
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