How to move the Windows 11 taskbar to the left or right side of the screen?

Question

How to move the Windows 11 taskbar to the left or right side of the screen?

Henry Jackson 395

I have a two-monitor computer setup and recently switched to Windows 11. In Windows 10, I could fix my taskbar to the left side of the screen on my left monitor, and the right side of the screen on my right monitor. However, I cannot find any way to move the taskbar from the center bottom position it holds in Windows 11. Can anyone please provide a solution to this problem? Thank you.

Scott Helmers 155 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-11-24T13:40:30.05+00:00

What are the required registry changes to move the entire taskbar to the side of the screen?
Matlock, Brian E. (UMKC-Student) 240 Reputation points

2024-01-18T00:45:37.38+00:00

This is a pretty terrible change. I have an ultrawide monitor, not all games support. If I go fullscreen on an unsupported game it is squished and looks terrible. I switched to windowed fullscreen and it looks correct and centered, but with the taskbar on the bottom I can't scroll down automatically in this setting. The fix I found was "move the taskbar to the side" but then have found I can't on Windows 11. Really frustrating to just not be able to play competitively on the games I play because Microsoft consistently has poor product design. "Oh we have a gimmick of putting the taskbar in the MIDDLE instead of left wow so hip and cool!" Too bad it isn't actually cool and they ruined useful functionalities like this.
Dominic Thomas 10 Reputation points

2024-02-20T03:31:35.39+00:00

It doesn't sound like poor product design as much as it does installation and or setup/config. If I were you, I would check compatibility between my GPU and monitor before jumping to blame MS. Win 11 supports every aspect ratio out there but its the graphics cards ability to exchange signals with the monitor, or lack of ability to communicate in this case, so that's something you should consider also. And the fact that there's not an uproar from the masses indicates its most likely a user error than a Layer 1/Layer 2 problem. Good luck on this!
Cheyenne Lee 235 Reputation points

2024-03-01T02:16:24.1066667+00:00

How is this not poor product design? Almost EVERY single application that I know of has the menu at the left side or the top. Even Microsoft's other products. It is completely nonsensical to place the menu at the bottom. Below there are comments where they talk about others that have developed solutions. Are you telling me that Microsoft's development team is so inept they can't deal with this? Other issues more pressing. Oh please, what a cop out!! The object should be to enhance the product and user experience. This is what happens when you get too big. You just don't care about those customers. Some of which have been around since the beginning! Was the menu at the bottom then. Of course not!! I guess it is the new way of the thinking; one size fits all. Go somewhere else if you don't like it. We are big enough we don't need you. If they placed the menu by default at the top instead of the bottom for years and years, do you think there would not be an uproar of the masses? You bet there would be!! Most people just don't customize things. Sometimes you just mess up, Vista didn't last long. Luckily, there are developers like the ones mentioned in the comments that step up to fill the gap. I used one of those solutions some years back when they did this same kind of thing. I have never made a post, positive or negative, before, but this kind of irked me. Blaming a user reaching out for help. Not cool. I have issues with sound drivers in the new version. I have been in IT for over 40 years. There is no way to have any idea this users experience level or the extent of things he has tried. Just because you are happy with the current workflow doesn't mean you should be condescending to others. I am sure that eventually Microsoft will allow us to have the menu where we want it again. Looks like this time it just might be a while.
Michael Bolsover 295 Reputation points

2024-03-07T10:46:02.3433333+00:00

This really is a big MS Fail, and I am bewildered by their refusal to make fixing this a priority. I certainly won't be upgrading to 11 until this is sorted. Other operating systems are available.
Peter D. Nielsen 35 Reputation points

2024-03-07T21:34:42.2166667+00:00

I have been using the Explorer Patcher software that is mentioned in previous posts and without having to uninstall and reinstall it as someone else mentioned. But some people are refusing to update to Windows 11 because of only this.
Cara Young 30 Reputation points

2024-03-14T13:43:50.8933333+00:00

UGh this is so frustrating!!!!
Kim 126 Reputation points

2024-03-14T13:57:20.35+00:00

Welcome to the party!
FangerZero 40 Reputation points

2024-03-25T22:05:27.7333333+00:00

I'm with Michael, it's the only reason I have not updated my machines from 10 to 11 as well.
Phil Gunhouse 50 Reputation points

2024-03-25T22:39:07.3766667+00:00

Ditto, a deal breaker here too. Have been using the taskbar on the left since Windows 2000, it's the only sensible way to see a lot of running applications stacked and read the associated text. It's a very common complaint, baffling they've refused to address it thus far.
ymortier 135 Reputation points

2024-04-02T06:43:59.8133333+00:00

I used to position the taskbar to the right of my main screen. (up till now W11 ...)

It originated from the period where programs did not group different open screens together (IE , MSN , ...).

Would love to that taskbar back at the right side ;-)
Vulcan _ 30 Reputation points

2024-04-09T15:40:11.28+00:00

I'm genuinely curious as to why they removed our ability to move the task bar to the side of the screen. I too have 32:9 panel and I have a lot of horizontal real estate, additionally, notifications and checking the time now requires physically moving my head.

I tried ExplorerPatcher and it removed my Shut Down and Restart options from Win+X contextual menu! (usually Win+X>U would shut down PC). I had to reinstall Windows!!!!!

Why is this BASIC feature missing from Win11? This is a SERIOUS regression! This isn't even complicated, you've basically removed our ability to tailor the OS to suit our needs.

GARBAGE!

90% of the sentiment of Win11 is that it's a regression over 10, fix your garbage-ware OS!
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Michael Bolsover 295 Reputation points

2024-04-09T17:15:10.2066667+00:00

I'm not upgrading to 11 UNTIL this issue is sorted. It's crazy not to be able to move the Taskbar as per Windows 10. Simply incomprehensible. Upgrades are supposed to improve on the original, not hobble the user experience. I need the Taskbar Upright and Left of the 1st monitor in my 3 monitor setup. End of. That is how I've been able to maximise the vertical real estate of my 2 x 16 by 9 aspect edit setup. Come on Microsoft, don't go "soft" on us in your dotage.
ymortier 135 Reputation points

2024-04-09T19:20:55.29+00:00

Someone already tried changing the settings via the ‘Registry editor’ ?

I have a laptop with restricted access. I’m able to acces these settings, but it seems not to save the change.

The tutorial is in this YouTube video :

https://youtu.be/7M3vRy5SWD4?si=fA-DefOKqSaKwmZy
DominikP 30 Reputation points

2024-04-20T11:44:25.42+00:00

Let me state the obvious: moving icons to the left in the bar locked to the bottom doesn't do much for users.
What we really want is moving the whole bar to the left side, where it takes much less space, especially on wide screens. A feature that was already in Windows 10.

It's unbelievable that all webpages are vertically oriented, social medias are infinitely long vertically, and MS reduces the usable height of the wide screens even more!
Ria Cherry 30 Reputation points

2024-04-24T11:14:25.83+00:00

I use a composite ultra wide set up (multiple monitors). Not having this feature just makes one of the screens use up unnecessary space where I could instead be using the real estate for workspace. And keeping the taskbar at the side far away from the work area has become crucial. I'm used to not having margins on the top and bottom of a setup where the height is much more important in a setup like mine.
I've had to revert to Win10 twice because this feature wasn't available and it was causing me navigatory disorientation.
So I've decided on staying on win10 till this issue is fixed. This fix has been overdue for a really long time now.
James Barber 35 Reputation points

2024-05-05T15:31:44.0666667+00:00

I have purchased copies of Windows 10 for installation on future machines. The inability to move the taskbar seems to be a hill that Microsoft and User are willing to die on. I have owned one (1) Apple product for one (1) hour in my lifetime. Apple decided for me (wrongly) that I needed my music converted to the format they thought best. I returned my new 160GB iPod.

As a software developer, I always designed systems in the best interest of my users, not what was easy for me to program.

The main reason Microsoft believes it can do this is that it has the user group over a barrel (and it does). The problem is that people ACCEPT their choices because they want shiny and new. Express your feeling about what vendors are doing and refuse to by their products.

Electric cars are failing because a person cannot reliably go on a 400 mile road trip without significant pain. An electric F150 cannot do what a gas F150 can do and Linux systems cannot reliably do what Window/Mac systems can do.

Finally, Microsoft, some people want to move their taskbar, some people accept their fates. I will never accept my fate.
Mark Weiss 76 Reputation points

2024-05-05T17:35:43.2566667+00:00

Same for me. I was enamoured by the vertical tasbar in NextStep OS in the 1990s and ever since XP, I've put it on the left where it's out of the way. Putting it on the bottom is assinine from a UI ergonomics standpoint. Sometimes I think MS does things like this on purpose just to make life miserable for people.
Lisa Tieman 20 Reputation points

2024-05-06T08:38:38.4766667+00:00

I really hate this, why hasn't it been fixed yet?

I won't upgrade to 11 either until this function is back.
Kis, Balazs 30 Reputation points

2024-05-18T10:03:28.1433333+00:00

I've been using Windows with Taskbar on the right side of the screen. Various versions passed by, various computers, corporate and private, but it was always possible to do so with an easy drag & drop movement.Now I was forced to update to W11 by my company, but if I knew that this function won't be available, I'd have objected to it vehemently.

I hope this failure will be corrected the soonest.
Joseph Armstrong 10 Reputation points

2024-05-23T03:38:17.48+00:00

I got rid of Win 11 and reinstalled Win 10 on all 5 PC's as I the task bar on the left side on all setups, single and dual monitor. I won't goto 11 now unless they fix this and give us the option to move our taskbars. That said if they don't then I will have to start looking into Apple ( much as I hate to go that route) I want the option back.
FCR 25 Reputation points

2024-05-23T05:30:15.5133333+00:00

So many people I know don't like this. But they aren't aware that they can come in here and express their disapproval... Some already moved to Mac. As soon as Windows 10 loses update support, I'm jumping ship too
Mark Weiss 76 Reputation points

2024-05-23T23:19:53.7233333+00:00

I would not switch to Mac either. Apple instituted client side scanning of customer files and it's an invasion of privacy. MS is starting that with Win 11 and it's made to look like a good thing, but it's Big Brother spying on you. With the many thousands of laws we have, everyone is guilty of some "crime" and they will find it on your PC.

My advice is switch to LINUX if you can.
Mariska Magyar 20 Reputation points

2024-06-08T16:56:07.1133333+00:00

I am going back to windows 10 until this is fixed. My taskbar was on top for 20 years, since windows xp. I have visual issues on the bottom of my eye. This is uncomfortable for me.
JS 10 Reputation points

2024-06-12T18:21:01.4833333+00:00

Unacceptable for Microsoft to take away a feature that also helps with accessibility as well as just being convenient
FCR 25 Reputation points

2024-06-21T01:59:24.78+00:00

Seriously, time to switch to Mac. MS has become so regressive. I am on windows 10, downgraded to 11 multiple times, and I still go back to windows 10. now that the support is ending, and I am getting ads to switch to 11, time to start looking at other options to spend my money in.
LB Camposano 5 Reputation points

2024-07-07T04:22:27.97+00:00

My new laptop came with Win 11 and this is the first thing that I wanted to change but couldn't find it in settings. I don't get why did they remove this feature?! So frustrating!
cyberlizard 1 Reputation point

2024-07-21T18:10:11.9633333+00:00

Not being able to move the taskbar to the left side of the screen infuriated me enough to jump over to MacOS. I can have it any side I choose.

unless Microsoft implement what users actually want (and this remains one of the most requested features) I don’t think I’ll be coming back any time soon.
Sarrene Miller 10 Reputation points

2024-08-06T21:31:09.8933333+00:00

I second everyone here asking and commenting on the removal of the movable task bar.

As a business owner and a developer that has used multiple monitors for a few decades, I always had my task bar to the left of my screen. As wide screens became more popular, this became almost a necessity for multi-taskers like myself.

Allowing the taskbar to be moved helps with ease of life/work depending on ones situation. From accessibility to ease of access to performance increases. Ease of life from the clients view and needs should be paramount when deciding to redesign a ux/ui for clients.

If anyone at Microsoft reads these comments, I hope that this can help encourage them to bring this functionality back. Please reconsider!!

Thank you
Kay Hedrick 5 Reputation points

2024-08-21T11:40:55.38+00:00

This is a terrible change! I use 3 monitors. The two on the sides had the taskbar on the sides and I primarily used the one on the left. That monitor is portrait and now the taskbar is way at the bottom and in the way of my document drafting. Hate this update!
Arlen Chen 0 Reputation points

2024-10-23T02:43:38.1866667+00:00

Thank God I haven't updated to Windows 11, and I will never do so until Microsoft fixes this issue.
TKR 5 Reputation points

2024-10-30T09:54:56.6966667+00:00

I have also been using the taskbar set on the left-hand side without combining taskbar buttons for many years - it allows for much more efficient multitasking / window switching and better use of ultrawide / multi monitor setup real estate where the vertical space is deficient (coding, document / edition and scrolling, webpage scrolling, etc.), compared to the default settings.
Without the option to move the taskbar to the right my productivity takes a hit - I haven't gotten used to it even after ~3 years with Win 11. Installing third party software would compromise the security of my machine, so it's out of question.

I am also working on linux from time to time where multitasking is so much easier just because of the taskbar positioning.

When I read these comments I realize there's many others who feel the same way.

Such a waste of human productivity caused by such a minor configuration element. I really hope Microsoft will bring this functionality back someday.
Peter D. Nielsen 35 Reputation points

2024-10-31T14:22:28.8233333+00:00

Insiders have been complaining about this trash since the day Windows 11 first came online and the latest update breaks Exporter Switcher. So you are absolutely correct.
Peter D. Nielsen 35 Reputation points

2024-10-31T14:24:33.78+00:00

Support ends for Windows 10 in October of 2025. So many will be leaving for Linux.
Mark Weiss 76 Reputation points

2024-10-31T15:42:32.7866667+00:00

I refuse to use Windows 11 until they fix that inability to have the taskbar on the left vertical like I have it on all prior versions of Windows that I use. I'm sticking with 10 from now on.
Mark Weiss 76 Reputation points

2024-10-31T15:43:24.5866667+00:00

Apple products are Big Brother Inside. Avoid! But Win 11 Copilot is a close second.
drKM 10 Reputation points

2024-11-25T15:13:25.87+00:00

I always keep the taskbar on the right side. Why did they remove this? It makes no sense, and ruins the user experience completely. This is such a downgrade and for nothing.

Tricks on the web do not help. I now wish I had kept win10. :(
Matej B 15 Reputation points

2025-01-26T15:11:00.9766667+00:00

Microsoft thinks people don't use this feature, but maybe advanced/professional users who need this feature also don't share their stats with Microsoft. Thus the stats can be biased.
Mark Weiss 76 Reputation points

2025-01-26T16:34:46.51+00:00

I've had to add registry keys to prevent the Windows 11 update from ruining my Windows 10 machine. I will not tolerate it on my hardware.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
AlertFrog 0 Reputation points

2025-03-10T14:28:53.82+00:00

No software or reg edits, go to taskbar settings, personalize. At Taskbar Alignment click the options arrow and select LEFT
Sarah McMurray 10 Reputation points

2025-05-27T11:09:45.78+00:00

I'd like to know the job title, name, salary at the time, and employment status now of every person at Microsoft who was involved in this spectacular UX fail. Mainly to make sure that I never risk employing them.

Accepted answer

4 additional answers

Your answer

Scott Helmers 155 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-11-24T13:40:30.05+00:00

What are the required registry changes to move the entire taskbar to the side of the screen?
Matlock, Brian E. (UMKC-Student) 240 Reputation points

2024-01-18T00:45:37.38+00:00

This is a pretty terrible change. I have an ultrawide monitor, not all games support. If I go fullscreen on an unsupported game it is squished and looks terrible. I switched to windowed fullscreen and it looks correct and centered, but with the taskbar on the bottom I can't scroll down automatically in this setting. The fix I found was "move the taskbar to the side" but then have found I can't on Windows 11. Really frustrating to just not be able to play competitively on the games I play because Microsoft consistently has poor product design. "Oh we have a gimmick of putting the taskbar in the MIDDLE instead of left wow so hip and cool!" Too bad it isn't actually cool and they ruined useful functionalities like this.
Dominic Thomas 10 Reputation points

2024-02-20T03:31:35.39+00:00

It doesn't sound like poor product design as much as it does installation and or setup/config. If I were you, I would check compatibility between my GPU and monitor before jumping to blame MS. Win 11 supports every aspect ratio out there but its the graphics cards ability to exchange signals with the monitor, or lack of ability to communicate in this case, so that's something you should consider also. And the fact that there's not an uproar from the masses indicates its most likely a user error than a Layer 1/Layer 2 problem. Good luck on this!
Cheyenne Lee 235 Reputation points

2024-03-01T02:16:24.1066667+00:00

How is this not poor product design? Almost EVERY single application that I know of has the menu at the left side or the top. Even Microsoft's other products. It is completely nonsensical to place the menu at the bottom. Below there are comments where they talk about others that have developed solutions. Are you telling me that Microsoft's development team is so inept they can't deal with this? Other issues more pressing. Oh please, what a cop out!! The object should be to enhance the product and user experience. This is what happens when you get too big. You just don't care about those customers. Some of which have been around since the beginning! Was the menu at the bottom then. Of course not!! I guess it is the new way of the thinking; one size fits all. Go somewhere else if you don't like it. We are big enough we don't need you. If they placed the menu by default at the top instead of the bottom for years and years, do you think there would not be an uproar of the masses? You bet there would be!! Most people just don't customize things. Sometimes you just mess up, Vista didn't last long. Luckily, there are developers like the ones mentioned in the comments that step up to fill the gap. I used one of those solutions some years back when they did this same kind of thing. I have never made a post, positive or negative, before, but this kind of irked me. Blaming a user reaching out for help. Not cool. I have issues with sound drivers in the new version. I have been in IT for over 40 years. There is no way to have any idea this users experience level or the extent of things he has tried. Just because you are happy with the current workflow doesn't mean you should be condescending to others. I am sure that eventually Microsoft will allow us to have the menu where we want it again. Looks like this time it just might be a while.
Michael Bolsover 295 Reputation points

2024-03-07T10:46:02.3433333+00:00

This really is a big MS Fail, and I am bewildered by their refusal to make fixing this a priority. I certainly won't be upgrading to 11 until this is sorted. Other operating systems are available.
Peter D. Nielsen 35 Reputation points

2024-03-07T21:34:42.2166667+00:00

I have been using the Explorer Patcher software that is mentioned in previous posts and without having to uninstall and reinstall it as someone else mentioned. But some people are refusing to update to Windows 11 because of only this.
Cara Young 30 Reputation points

2024-03-14T13:43:50.8933333+00:00

UGh this is so frustrating!!!!
Kim 126 Reputation points

2024-03-14T13:57:20.35+00:00

Welcome to the party!
FangerZero 40 Reputation points

2024-03-25T22:05:27.7333333+00:00

I'm with Michael, it's the only reason I have not updated my machines from 10 to 11 as well.
Phil Gunhouse 50 Reputation points

2024-03-25T22:39:07.3766667+00:00

Ditto, a deal breaker here too. Have been using the taskbar on the left since Windows 2000, it's the only sensible way to see a lot of running applications stacked and read the associated text. It's a very common complaint, baffling they've refused to address it thus far.
ymortier 135 Reputation points

2024-04-02T06:43:59.8133333+00:00

I used to position the taskbar to the right of my main screen. (up till now W11 ...)

It originated from the period where programs did not group different open screens together (IE , MSN , ...).

Would love to that taskbar back at the right side ;-)
Vulcan _ 30 Reputation points

2024-04-09T15:40:11.28+00:00

I'm genuinely curious as to why they removed our ability to move the task bar to the side of the screen. I too have 32:9 panel and I have a lot of horizontal real estate, additionally, notifications and checking the time now requires physically moving my head.

I tried ExplorerPatcher and it removed my Shut Down and Restart options from Win+X contextual menu! (usually Win+X>U would shut down PC). I had to reinstall Windows!!!!!

Why is this BASIC feature missing from Win11? This is a SERIOUS regression! This isn't even complicated, you've basically removed our ability to tailor the OS to suit our needs.

GARBAGE!

90% of the sentiment of Win11 is that it's a regression over 10, fix your garbage-ware OS!
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Michael Bolsover 295 Reputation points

2024-04-09T17:15:10.2066667+00:00

I'm not upgrading to 11 UNTIL this issue is sorted. It's crazy not to be able to move the Taskbar as per Windows 10. Simply incomprehensible. Upgrades are supposed to improve on the original, not hobble the user experience. I need the Taskbar Upright and Left of the 1st monitor in my 3 monitor setup. End of. That is how I've been able to maximise the vertical real estate of my 2 x 16 by 9 aspect edit setup. Come on Microsoft, don't go "soft" on us in your dotage.
ymortier 135 Reputation points

2024-04-09T19:20:55.29+00:00

Someone already tried changing the settings via the ‘Registry editor’ ?

I have a laptop with restricted access. I’m able to acces these settings, but it seems not to save the change.

The tutorial is in this YouTube video :

https://youtu.be/7M3vRy5SWD4?si=fA-DefOKqSaKwmZy
DominikP 30 Reputation points

2024-04-20T11:44:25.42+00:00

Let me state the obvious: moving icons to the left in the bar locked to the bottom doesn't do much for users.
What we really want is moving the whole bar to the left side, where it takes much less space, especially on wide screens. A feature that was already in Windows 10.

It's unbelievable that all webpages are vertically oriented, social medias are infinitely long vertically, and MS reduces the usable height of the wide screens even more!
Ria Cherry 30 Reputation points

2024-04-24T11:14:25.83+00:00

I use a composite ultra wide set up (multiple monitors). Not having this feature just makes one of the screens use up unnecessary space where I could instead be using the real estate for workspace. And keeping the taskbar at the side far away from the work area has become crucial. I'm used to not having margins on the top and bottom of a setup where the height is much more important in a setup like mine.
I've had to revert to Win10 twice because this feature wasn't available and it was causing me navigatory disorientation.
So I've decided on staying on win10 till this issue is fixed. This fix has been overdue for a really long time now.
James Barber 35 Reputation points

2024-05-05T15:31:44.0666667+00:00

I have purchased copies of Windows 10 for installation on future machines. The inability to move the taskbar seems to be a hill that Microsoft and User are willing to die on. I have owned one (1) Apple product for one (1) hour in my lifetime. Apple decided for me (wrongly) that I needed my music converted to the format they thought best. I returned my new 160GB iPod.

As a software developer, I always designed systems in the best interest of my users, not what was easy for me to program.

The main reason Microsoft believes it can do this is that it has the user group over a barrel (and it does). The problem is that people ACCEPT their choices because they want shiny and new. Express your feeling about what vendors are doing and refuse to by their products.

Electric cars are failing because a person cannot reliably go on a 400 mile road trip without significant pain. An electric F150 cannot do what a gas F150 can do and Linux systems cannot reliably do what Window/Mac systems can do.

Finally, Microsoft, some people want to move their taskbar, some people accept their fates. I will never accept my fate.
Mark Weiss 76 Reputation points

2024-05-05T17:35:43.2566667+00:00

Same for me. I was enamoured by the vertical tasbar in NextStep OS in the 1990s and ever since XP, I've put it on the left where it's out of the way. Putting it on the bottom is assinine from a UI ergonomics standpoint. Sometimes I think MS does things like this on purpose just to make life miserable for people.
Lisa Tieman 20 Reputation points

2024-05-06T08:38:38.4766667+00:00

I really hate this, why hasn't it been fixed yet?

I won't upgrade to 11 either until this function is back.
Kis, Balazs 30 Reputation points

2024-05-18T10:03:28.1433333+00:00

I've been using Windows with Taskbar on the right side of the screen. Various versions passed by, various computers, corporate and private, but it was always possible to do so with an easy drag & drop movement.Now I was forced to update to W11 by my company, but if I knew that this function won't be available, I'd have objected to it vehemently.

I hope this failure will be corrected the soonest.
Joseph Armstrong 10 Reputation points

2024-05-23T03:38:17.48+00:00

I got rid of Win 11 and reinstalled Win 10 on all 5 PC's as I the task bar on the left side on all setups, single and dual monitor. I won't goto 11 now unless they fix this and give us the option to move our taskbars. That said if they don't then I will have to start looking into Apple ( much as I hate to go that route) I want the option back.
FCR 25 Reputation points

2024-05-23T05:30:15.5133333+00:00

So many people I know don't like this. But they aren't aware that they can come in here and express their disapproval... Some already moved to Mac. As soon as Windows 10 loses update support, I'm jumping ship too
Mark Weiss 76 Reputation points

2024-05-23T23:19:53.7233333+00:00

I would not switch to Mac either. Apple instituted client side scanning of customer files and it's an invasion of privacy. MS is starting that with Win 11 and it's made to look like a good thing, but it's Big Brother spying on you. With the many thousands of laws we have, everyone is guilty of some "crime" and they will find it on your PC.

My advice is switch to LINUX if you can.
Mariska Magyar 20 Reputation points

2024-06-08T16:56:07.1133333+00:00

I am going back to windows 10 until this is fixed. My taskbar was on top for 20 years, since windows xp. I have visual issues on the bottom of my eye. This is uncomfortable for me.
JS 10 Reputation points

2024-06-12T18:21:01.4833333+00:00

Unacceptable for Microsoft to take away a feature that also helps with accessibility as well as just being convenient
FCR 25 Reputation points

2024-06-21T01:59:24.78+00:00

Seriously, time to switch to Mac. MS has become so regressive. I am on windows 10, downgraded to 11 multiple times, and I still go back to windows 10. now that the support is ending, and I am getting ads to switch to 11, time to start looking at other options to spend my money in.
LB Camposano 5 Reputation points

2024-07-07T04:22:27.97+00:00

My new laptop came with Win 11 and this is the first thing that I wanted to change but couldn't find it in settings. I don't get why did they remove this feature?! So frustrating!
cyberlizard 1 Reputation point

2024-07-21T18:10:11.9633333+00:00

Not being able to move the taskbar to the left side of the screen infuriated me enough to jump over to MacOS. I can have it any side I choose.

unless Microsoft implement what users actually want (and this remains one of the most requested features) I don’t think I’ll be coming back any time soon.
Sarrene Miller 10 Reputation points

2024-08-06T21:31:09.8933333+00:00

I second everyone here asking and commenting on the removal of the movable task bar.

As a business owner and a developer that has used multiple monitors for a few decades, I always had my task bar to the left of my screen. As wide screens became more popular, this became almost a necessity for multi-taskers like myself.

Allowing the taskbar to be moved helps with ease of life/work depending on ones situation. From accessibility to ease of access to performance increases. Ease of life from the clients view and needs should be paramount when deciding to redesign a ux/ui for clients.

If anyone at Microsoft reads these comments, I hope that this can help encourage them to bring this functionality back. Please reconsider!!

Thank you
Kay Hedrick 5 Reputation points

2024-08-21T11:40:55.38+00:00

This is a terrible change! I use 3 monitors. The two on the sides had the taskbar on the sides and I primarily used the one on the left. That monitor is portrait and now the taskbar is way at the bottom and in the way of my document drafting. Hate this update!
Arlen Chen 0 Reputation points

2024-10-23T02:43:38.1866667+00:00

Thank God I haven't updated to Windows 11, and I will never do so until Microsoft fixes this issue.
TKR 5 Reputation points

2024-10-30T09:54:56.6966667+00:00

I have also been using the taskbar set on the left-hand side without combining taskbar buttons for many years - it allows for much more efficient multitasking / window switching and better use of ultrawide / multi monitor setup real estate where the vertical space is deficient (coding, document / edition and scrolling, webpage scrolling, etc.), compared to the default settings.
Without the option to move the taskbar to the right my productivity takes a hit - I haven't gotten used to it even after ~3 years with Win 11. Installing third party software would compromise the security of my machine, so it's out of question.

I am also working on linux from time to time where multitasking is so much easier just because of the taskbar positioning.

When I read these comments I realize there's many others who feel the same way.

Such a waste of human productivity caused by such a minor configuration element. I really hope Microsoft will bring this functionality back someday.
Peter D. Nielsen 35 Reputation points

2024-10-31T14:22:28.8233333+00:00

Insiders have been complaining about this trash since the day Windows 11 first came online and the latest update breaks Exporter Switcher. So you are absolutely correct.
Peter D. Nielsen 35 Reputation points

2024-10-31T14:24:33.78+00:00

Support ends for Windows 10 in October of 2025. So many will be leaving for Linux.
Mark Weiss 76 Reputation points

2024-10-31T15:42:32.7866667+00:00

I refuse to use Windows 11 until they fix that inability to have the taskbar on the left vertical like I have it on all prior versions of Windows that I use. I'm sticking with 10 from now on.
Mark Weiss 76 Reputation points

2024-10-31T15:43:24.5866667+00:00

Apple products are Big Brother Inside. Avoid! But Win 11 Copilot is a close second.
drKM 10 Reputation points

2024-11-25T15:13:25.87+00:00

I always keep the taskbar on the right side. Why did they remove this? It makes no sense, and ruins the user experience completely. This is such a downgrade and for nothing.

Tricks on the web do not help. I now wish I had kept win10. :(
Matej B 15 Reputation points

2025-01-26T15:11:00.9766667+00:00

Microsoft thinks people don't use this feature, but maybe advanced/professional users who need this feature also don't share their stats with Microsoft. Thus the stats can be biased.
Mark Weiss 76 Reputation points

2025-01-26T16:34:46.51+00:00

I've had to add registry keys to prevent the Windows 11 update from ruining my Windows 10 machine. I will not tolerate it on my hardware.
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AlertFrog 0 Reputation points

2025-03-10T14:28:53.82+00:00

No software or reg edits, go to taskbar settings, personalize. At Taskbar Alignment click the options arrow and select LEFT
Sarah McMurray 10 Reputation points

2025-05-27T11:09:45.78+00:00

I'd like to know the job title, name, salary at the time, and employment status now of every person at Microsoft who was involved in this spectacular UX fail. Mainly to make sure that I never risk employing them.

Answer 1

Erland Sommarskog 121.8K MVP Volunteer Moderator

You can do this in Windows 11 if you install ExplorerPatcher. Of course, you may be nervous of installing something that actually goes in an modifies explorer.exe. Since I just can't stand the centred taskbar in Windows 11, I have no choice. I recall that I have run into a case where Explorer did not start after a Windows update, and it was a bit of a panic until I was able to uninstall and re-install Explorerpatcher.

Once you have installed ExplorerPatcher, you will get a Start-menu item for ExplorerPatcher. Select it, and you will find the option for the taskbar location.

Jon Watte 35 Reputation points

2023-12-09T19:06:41.0333333+00:00

I don't like patches like this if I can avoid them, but I needed to upgrade to 11 so I used it, and it works well so far.
Yasin Kurtuluş 30 Reputation points

2023-12-25T14:12:59.64+00:00

I have downloaded it, my antivirus has detected a trojan and then I have uninstalled it.
Kim 126 Reputation points

2024-01-22T01:21:36.0033333+00:00

We need the standard functionality back - not to have to download some unauthorized software that won't get past corporate IT security standards. At least you can ungroup icons, but you can't make them smaller and not show the "titles". This just frustrates the user experience and tanks productivity. Give it back and stop messing with it!
Scott Helmers 155 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-01-22T13:32:56.1633333+00:00

I agree, Kim. As others have commented in related threads, with the current generation of wide-screen monitors, there is no excuse for Microsoft to disallow moving the taskbar to the left or right edge.
Joe Davis 20 Reputation points

2024-02-14T00:07:11.8266667+00:00

I downloaded Explorer Patcher and it immediately made changes that I did not ask for. Plus I didn't see where to move the taskbar, so I uninstalled it. Thankfully, everything went back where it was before.
Erland Sommarskog 121.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-02-14T21:45:21.39+00:00

The controls to move the taskbar is right on the front page:

Note that you need to restart File Explorer for the change to take effect. There is an option for that at the bottom of the window.

Note that the labels to the left are unrelated to the labels to the right. The labels to the left are different menu.

Yeah, Explorer may have some changes on by default, and you may not like them.
Kim 126 Reputation points

2024-02-14T22:26:37.7433333+00:00

@Erland Sommarskog I still have my taskbar on the bottom.
Laurie Power 0 Reputation points

2024-02-27T22:45:43.7966667+00:00

I Have found Explorer Patcher. But can't see how to execute / install the patch - I'm a tyro at this geek-stuff
Erland Sommarskog 121.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-02-27T22:56:30.69+00:00

Just run the install, ep_setup or what it's called. ...although recently I had Windows Defender sent the setup into quarantine....
Kim 126 Reputation points

2024-03-01T14:10:48.3033333+00:00

Corporate does not allow these misc programs. MS should not change the basics. The decrease in productivity is immeasurable.
Staffan Bengtsson 10 Reputation points

2024-03-04T09:25:03.2633333+00:00

ExplorerPatcher did exactly what I needed. GitHub is a reliable source and it was easy to tweak the TaskBar to my preferences (rightclick the task bar and select "properties"). This finally allow me to consider Windows 11 on the rest of my computers in my network while it vastly improved my experience with my bedroom computer. Thanks a ton! I had to rightclick the taskbar to deselect "Lock the taskbar". I could now move it to the right. Finally I got my Desktop back!!!

I then rightclicked the taskbar to select "Properties".

Then;
Taskbar: "Combine taskbar icons on primary taskbar: Always combine"
File Explorer: "Disable the Windows 11 context menu *"

Then I rightclicked the taskbar to select "Taskbar Settings", click Taskbar behaviors and turn off "Show my taskbar on all displays".

Now the most annoying aspects of Windows 11 are gone.
Mark Weiss 0 Reputation points

2024-03-12T21:24:32.1666667+00:00

Does this hack survive Windows update?
Jon Watte 50 Reputation points

2024-03-13T17:11:13.6066667+00:00

So far, it has survived for me. It made the Windows 11 update much less bad.
(There's still some surprisingly shocking mistakes where it seems the UI team has just ignored the best practices and lessons from the last 30 years, though.)
Scott Helmers 155 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-03-13T19:07:26.06+00:00

I just installed "2024-03 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5035853)" and Explorer Patcher is still there and the taskbar is still on the left side where I want it. The only weird result is the background of the taskbar is now transparent, which takes some getting used to! I don't see an option in either Windows or Explorer Patcher to adjust the taskbar color or transparency, but if I find one I'll post here.
Vulcan _ 30 Reputation points

2024-04-09T15:35:28.01+00:00

DON'T DO THIS! I tried ExplorerPatcher and it removed my Shut Down and Restart options from Win+X contextual menu! (usually Win+X>U would shut down PC). I had to reinstall Windows!!!!!
Vulcan _ 30 Reputation points

2024-04-09T15:40:29.2366667+00:00

DON'T DO THIS! I tried ExplorerPatcher and it removed my Shut Down and Restart options from Win+X contextual menu! (usually Win+X>U would shut down PC). I had to reinstall Windows!!!!!
Leonard Grossman 0 Reputation points

2024-05-17T22:18:06.28+00:00

Worked instantly. Thanks. I had found a twee long ago but lost it today trying to get the searchbox back in Windows Explorer. I couldn't solve that problem, but at least my task bar is back where it belongs.
Peter D. Nielsen 35 Reputation points

2024-10-31T14:26:38.5433333+00:00

As of second quarter of 2024 Explorer Patcher is broken as of the latest update.
Trey Duke 5 Reputation points

2024-11-11T18:40:34.37+00:00

Problem is I work for a company that doesn't allow any 3rd party apps and any registry edits would just revert on updates. I can't move the taskbar and that's pretty much it. Microsfot is garbage and like usual removes basic features because they're lazy and try to tell their users what they need instead of giving them what they want and need. I'll tell you what I want, not the other way around. I am going to be moving away from Microsoft just because of this trash.
Peter D. Nielsen 35 Reputation points

2024-11-26T18:18:22.9333333+00:00

Explorer Patcher no longer works as the second half of 2024.
AlertFrog 0 Reputation points

2025-03-10T14:35:14.12+00:00

Easy fix with no software or reg edits: left click taskbar, click taskbar settings, click taskbar behaviors, click taskbar alignment, click left
Peter D. Nielsen 35 Reputation points

2025-03-11T01:14:59.6833333+00:00

Sorry AlertFrog, but this does not address the issue described here at all. It still leaves the taskbar on the bottom of the screen.

Answer 2

Scott Helmers 155 MVP Volunteer Moderator

I downloaded and installed https://www.startallback.com/ about a week ago. It does allow moving the entire taskbar to any of the four edges of the monitor, among other functions. Though I can't provide a full endorsement, I haven't encountered any issues with it.

Marc Reinarz 5 Reputation points

2023-12-18T22:40:56.1633333+00:00

I did install startallback after having created a restore point, and verified the safety of the link. It is brilliant. Just download it, and the taskbar settings are back to where they were in Win 10 and earlier versions. Thanks Scott!
Scott Helmers 155 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-12-19T17:49:34.6866667+00:00

I too am very happy to have the taskbar back on the left -- where it belongs ;-)
agopr 5 Reputation points

2023-12-30T09:27:25.8733333+00:00

Worked great for me, but I will say this cost money. It's $4.99 for 1 PC, but you get a 100-day trial.
Erland Sommarskog 121.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-12-30T10:41:58.9333333+00:00

ExplorerPatcher is free, just sayin'. (But StartAllBack may have other benefits that makes it worth the money, I have not tried it.)
Scott Helmers 155 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2024-01-22T13:36:48.23+00:00

Having previously mentioned my success with StartAllBack, I thought I should mention that I'm now using ExplorerPatcher instead. StartAllBack worked fine for the purpose of moving the taskbar, but it also changed the start menu in ways that I ultimately decided I didn't like. Consequently, I uninstalled it and have moved to EP, which feels a bit more polished and secure.
Dainis Salnis 0 Reputation points

2024-02-19T19:05:47.1366667+00:00

Love it, thank you 😊
MJ 0 Reputation points

2024-05-27T20:21:33.77+00:00

Thanks for this quick fix.

Answer 3

I'm not sure why Microsoft removed a useful feature (again), but I assume it was some misguided attempt at UI/UX enhancement by a product engineer who wanted to "make things different," or move Windows toward a mobile-first design (bad, bad idea.) The only situation I can think of where this is good design is if you have a widescreen monitor (and who doesn't?) in portrait mode instead of landscape (and who does besides developers and editors?).

There is apparently a registry hack to move it but it gets reset every time the system reboots

Answer 4

Mark Weiss 76

I'm staying on Windows 10 until this issue is resolved. I would have switched to LINUX if I could get my Adobe apps, electronic design apps, MIDI and film scanner hardware to work on LINUX, but unfortunately, only Windows and Mac OS work with the hardware and only Windows with some of the software.

I can't express how nasty this is of Microsoft to cripple Windows with a debilitating restriction. It's almost like they're trying to cause us stress so we die earlier.

Michael Bolsover 295 Reputation points

2025-03-11T07:35:46.62+00:00

Yes, I'm beginning to believe that it is a malicious decision not to fix this easily fixed issue. They've had long enough now.
Jeff Milne 5 Reputation points

2025-06-28T16:49:04.3566667+00:00

Consider running your favorite Linux variant, then run Win10 as a VM. I've done that with low-end machines like an old Dell 4 core laptop with 16 GB RAM. I moved to Ubuntu Desktop a couple months ago when I found myself with extra time to create my local AI platform, and while there's a learning curve, I'll have it totally nailed by October when Win10 goes off support. Ubuntu Desktop comes with the GNOME UI, but you can install KDE Plasma that some people like better. So far GNOME is fine by me. My 2 Dell T7910 dual Xeon workstations can't run Win11 which means they would not be supported by Microsoft (both have with TPM 2.0, one with dual e5-2690v3 Xeons and the other with dual e5-2698v4's - perfectly modern by any standard). I am hating everything about Win11 that I'm typing from now, so goodbye Microsoft. I never loved you, but I liked you enough to stick around.
Mark Weiss 76 Reputation points

2025-06-29T21:46:14.2766667+00:00

The only problem is the VM can't utilize the GPU and can't see proprietary hardware, like my SCSI cards, or my IEEE1394 scanner.
JeffTX 0 Reputation points

2025-06-29T22:22:07.2433333+00:00

Mark,

I've gotten both iSCSI and GPU pass-through to work. There are many factors to get it to reliably work. It depends on your platform and patients to deal with this mess. If I find my documentation - I'll repost here.

Maybe a another platform to try would be ProxMox or OMV (Open Media Vault). They're Debian-based like Ubuntu.

I've got over 40 years deep into about every form of IT and this stuff still burns my biscuits. It shouldn't be so difficult and convoluted, where the convolution is the feature, not the issue.

Answer 5

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How to move the Windows 11 taskbar to the left or right side of the screen?

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