How to Move the Taskbar in Windows 11 and Windows 10

The taskbar has been a staple of the Windows experience for decades, serving as the anchor point for launching and managing applications. With the advent of Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a centered taskbar and Start menu, aiming to align with modern design trends and user behaviors. This shift mirrors the central alignment found in other operating systems, such as macOS, and caters to where eyes naturally go on a widescreen display.

However, not all users have embraced this change. Many rely on muscle memory and the familiarity of the taskbar's traditional placement at the bottom left of the screen. If you're among those who want to experiment with different taskbar positions for a more personalized setup, Windows offers the flexibility to move the taskbar to suit your preferences.

While Windows 11 initially limited taskbar customization compared to its predecessor, it's still possible to adjust its position with a few simple steps. This tutorial will guide you through the process of moving the taskbar in both Windows 11 and Windows 10, helping you to tailor your desktop environment to your liking.

In Windows 10, the taskbar's position can be easily changed through the settings, allowing users to place it on either side of the screen or at the top for a different perspective on their workspace. Windows 11, while initially more restrictive, has seen updates and community-driven solutions that enable similar adjustments.

Whether you're a long-time Windows user adjusting to the new look of Windows 11 or a Windows 10 user looking to shake things up, moving the taskbar can be a simple yet impactful change.

How to Move the Taskbar on Windows 10 to the Top, Left or Right

In Windows 10, the taskbar is not just a static tool; it's a versatile feature that you can move to either side of your screen or even to the top. This flexibility can be particularly useful for enhancing productivity or better utilizing screen real estate, especially on widescreen monitors. This section of the tutorial will walk you through the simple steps to reposition your taskbar, allowing you to customize your desktop to match your workflow preferences.

1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and open “Taskbar settings”
    
   If “Lock the taskbar” has a checkmark next to it, click it to unlock the taskbar.
    
   
   
2. Choose the desired “Taskbar location on screen”
    
   You can move the taskbar to the left, right, and the top of the screen.
    
   
   
3. If you move the taskbar to the left, the start menu will show in the upper left corner
    
   
   
4. If you move the taskbar to the top, the start menu will also show in the upper left corner, but arrange in a different way
    
   
   
5. If you move the taskbar to the right, the start menu will show in the upper right corner
    
   
   

How to Move the Windows 11 Taskbar to the Top

While Windows 11 introduced a centered taskbar design, you might find that having the taskbar at the top of your screen is more in line with your personal or professional usage patterns. Moving the taskbar to the top can mimic the feel of other operating systems and can be a refreshing change for those who prefer this layout. This part of the guide will show you how to achieve this configuration, giving your Windows 11 a unique touch that caters to your comfort. You can combine this with the last method, which shows how to move the Windows 11 start menu and taskbar icons to the left like in Windows 10.

1. Open Regedit
    
   
   
2. Edit to the Taskbar Registry Key
    
   In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:
    

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3

   Open the “Settings” binary value within “StuckRects3” via double-click

   
   

3. Edit the binary value for the Windows 11 taskbar position
    
   In the Edit Binary Value window, you'll see a table of numbers. Locate the second row of values, and then find the fifth value from the left (it should be 03 if your taskbar is currently at the bottom).

   Change the 03 value to 01 to move the taskbar to the top.

   Click OK to confirm the change.

   
   

4. Restart the taskbar to apply changes
    
   First, open the “Command Prompt” as administrator.
    
   
   
5. Kill the taskbar process with “taskkill” and restart it
    
   Use this command to kill the taskbar process:

   taskkill /f /im explorer.exe

   Use this command to restart the taskbar process:

   start explorer.exe

    
   

6. The taskbar will load again and be placed on the top
    
   

How to Show the Windows 11 Start Menu and Taskbar Icons on the Left Like in Windows 10

The centered taskbar and Start menu in Windows 11 represent a significant design shift from previous versions. However, if you're feeling nostalgic or simply find the classic left alignment more intuitive, Windows 11 offers the option to revert to this familiar layout. This section will guide you through the quick and easy process of aligning your Start menu and taskbar icons to the left, bringing back the traditional look and feel to your Windows 11 experience.

1. Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”
    
   
   
2. Change “Taskbar alignment” in “Taskbar behaviors”
    
   
   1. In the Taskbar settings window, scroll down to find “Taskbar behaviors”.
   2. Click on the “Taskbar behaviors” section to expand it if it's not already open.
   3. Look for the “Taskbar alignment” option within the Taskbar behaviors section.
   4. Click on the dropdown menu next to “Taskbar alignment” and select “Left”.
       
      
      
3. The start menu and taskbar symbols will now show on the left side
    
   If you combine this with moving the taskbar image to the top, it will look like in our screenshot.
    
   

Extra: How to Make the Windows 11 Taskbar Smaller or Bigger

For the Windows 11 taskbar, there isn't a “small icons” or “labels” option to shrink it down. Luckily there is a workaround to make taskbar icons bigger or smaller in Windows 11 using a handy registry hack, which we are showing you in our other guide.
 

Extra: How to Start Apps Using Keyboard Shortcuts

If you want to skip the taskbar entirely, you can instead follow our guide on how to start apps using keyboard shortcuts. Then you don't have to take your fingers off the keyboard at all.

Extra: How to Pin a Website, Folder, Drive, or Files to the Taskbar in Windows 11

The taskbar is an essential part of how you use your Windows PC, but it often goes underutilized. In our other guide, we are showing you how to pin a website, folder, drive, or file to the taskbar in Windows 11.