Move the Windows 11 Taskbar to the Left

Written by Eric Wyatt (last updated December 20, 2021)

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With Windows 11, Microsoft introduced some new changes. One of the most significant and most noticeable changes is how the Taskbar behaves. Previous iterations of the Windows operating system have the Start menu displayed to the left of the Taskbar. With the Start menu to the left, Windows 10 would display app icons to the right, starting next to the Start menu. Windows 11 has moved the Start menu to the center of the Taskbar, with app icons still placed to the right of the Start menu.

For many, this new look is acceptable. For others, this new updated look is not so welcome. If you prefer to have the Start menu back to the left, Windows 11 has a simple way to make this change.

  1. Right-click any empty space in the Taskbar. A small pop-up appears with a single option: Taskbar Settings.
  2. Click on Taskbar Settings. This opens the Taskbar portion of the Personalization section of the Settings window.
  3. Under Taskbar Behaviors, click on the drop-down list next to Taskbar Alignment.
  4. Choose either Center or Left, depending on your preference.
  5. Close the Settings window. Your change takes effect immediately.

With this simple change, you can modify the Taskbar from its new default centered setting to the previous style, left-aligned.

 This tip (12709) applies to Windows 11.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

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What is six minus 4?

2021-12-22 16:18:04

Hawkmeister

Evidently there are registry hacks that can be applied which do work to MOVE the taskbar to the TOP of the screen.

BUT one can't move the taskbar to the left or right side of the screen, as users have been able to do since iirc windows xp.

For me, given the aspect ration of newer monitors, I'd like more useable VERTICAL space, so I like/prefer to have the taskbar to one side of the screen. I'll concede that Windows 11 is prettier, and has streamlined a lot of functionality (File Explorer etec) I'll not be adopting Windows 11 on *any* of my systems until I can dock the taskbar to the side.

- And most of my systems don't support TPM 2.0 so the point is moot.

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