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Change Taskbar Location on Windows 11: Move to Top/Left/Right/Bottom
If you want to change taskbar position on Windows 11, like moving taskbar on Windows 11 to the top, right, left, or bottom, this article covers a full guide. To avoid data loss after changing the settings, it is suggested that you back up your computer in advance.
by Jonna Updated on December 6, 2023
Can I Move the Taskbar in Windows 11?
Recently, I updated my laptop to Windows 11 because I was tierd of always geting spamed to update whenever I turned my PC on. But now I'm really mad about the fact that I cant move my taskbar. I always used to have it on the left side and now its just down and unmovable. So is there a way that I can change taskbar position on Windows 11?
Of course yes, you can change Windows 11 taskbar location. The Windows 11 taskbar brings some new features, but it also removes some old features, such as the ability to move the taskbar. Fortunately, there is still a solution that allows you to customize Windows 11 taskbar location - via editing the Windows Registry. If you are looking for how to change the taskbar position in Windows 11, keep reading to get the details.
What's New with Windows 11 Taskbar?
Windows 11 was launched on October 5. Microsoft has made many changes in Windows 11 and added many new features. In addition to the new "Start" menu, Windows 11 also introduces a new version of the Taskbar, which may look similar to what we know on Windows 10, but the new experience is getting many improvements.
❤ New taskbar has a centered alignment
The new Taskbar is center-aligned, but you can always change it to the left-aligned (The specific steps are in the penultimate part).
❤ New taskbar has redesigned buttons
In addition to the buttons aligned in the middle of the screen, you will notice that there's a new Start logo button, as well as new buttons for Search, Task View, Widgets, and Chat. Cortana and My People are no longer part of the experience.
❤ New taskbar has new notification method
When an app needs your attention, it flashes first and then stops eventually. You will see a new backplate with a light red color and red pill letting you know that the app needs your attention.
❤ New taskbar has improved the system tray
In this new version, the system tray in the lower right corner is also improved. Windows has logically grouped the icons. For example, the time and date and the Focus assist icon are a group. When you click it, it opens the new " Notification Center" that includes a full-month calendar and all your notifications.
Backup Windows 11 Before Changing Taskbar Location
Although Microsoft has made many other changes this time, many people may think that the Taskbar improvement is a step backward rather than forward. What bothers many users is that the Taskbar is now locked at the bottom of the screen, and there is no direct setting to place it on the top or either side of the screen. Therefore, users may ask "How do I change the taskbar position in Windows 11?".
Windows 11 uses the same internal Registry key values as Windows 10 to determine which side of the screen to place the Taskbar on. Therefore, you can change taskbar location on Windows 11 with Registry Editor. But it is worth noting that the Registry Editor is a powerful tool, and abuse of it can make your system unstable or even unable to run.
We recommend that you back up your computer before making any changes. In this way, if any problems occur after the change that prevents the computer from operating normally, you can use the backup created in advance to restore computer to its previous state. AOMEI Backupper is a free backup software for all Windows PC operating systems like Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP.
It can help you create backups of your Windows 11 computer with ease. Whether you want to back up your system, partitions, disks, or files, it only takes a few clicks. It also allows you to create bootable media to recover data and system when the computer cannot start normally. Download this free software to help you backup Windows 11.
To backup Windows 11 before making changes in Registry Editor for moving taskbar to side on Windows 11, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Start AOMEI Backupper and enter the dark blue interface. Click Backup -> Disk Backup in order.
Step 2. Click + Add Disk to select the disk containing Windows 11 as the source disk.
Step 3. Select the destination to store the backup. Considering that you want to change the device settings, it is recommended that you back up to an external disk.
Step 4. After completing all settings, click Start Backup.
Helpful Tips✍: Before clicking "Start Backup", you can make some special settings to your backup.
◈ Options: You can write a note for the backup to distinguish it from other tasks, enable email notification of the backup, make an encryption for the backup, etc. (Encryption is available in AOMEI Backupper Professional at least).
◈ Schedule: You can set automatic backup with this feature. You can set the backup frequency at daily, weekly, monthly, event triggers, and USB plug in.
◈ Scheme: You can choose the cleaning method according to your needs. This function can delete old backups to free up disk space while keeping the latest backup version (available on advanced editions).
How to Change the Taskbar Position in Windows 11
After creating a backup of Windows 11, you can safely use the Registry Editor to let Windows 11 move taskbar to top, bottom, left, or right as needed. This is a simple technique, if you follow the instructions exactly, there should be no problems.
I will first show you how to move the taskbar to the top in Windows 11.
- Click the Start button, type regedit, then select Registry Editor in the results.
- When Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following key using the sidebar, or paste it into the address line near the top of the window. And then double-click Settings.
- Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3
♨Note: these instructions only apply to single-monitor setups. To change the taskbar position on multiple monitors, you'll need to edit the same values in every key listed under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ MMStuckRects 3.
- When the "Edit Binary Value" window opens, you'll see a table of values. Locate the second row of values from the top, then count to the sixth value from the left. By default, this value is set to "03." Place the cursor just to the right of the “03” (click with the mouse then press the right arrow key if necessary), press Backspace once, then type "01" and click OK. This will move the Windows 11 Taskbar to the top of the screen.
Tips ✍ : By changing the number, you can determine which side of the screen the taskbar is displayed on. This is what each number does:
● Change 03 to 00: Windows 11 change taskbar position to the left side of the screen.
● Change 03 to 01: move Windows 11 Taskbar to the top of the screen.
● Change 03 to 02: move Windows 11 Taskbar to the right side of the screen.
● Change to 03: move taskbar to bottom in Windows 11.
- Then close Registry Editor and restart your PC (Or you can restart Windows Explorer in Task Manager). To restart Explorer, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, click More Details to view the full interface if necessary, and select the Processes tab. Locate Windows Explorer in the list, right-click it, and select Restart.
- Afterward, the taskbar will be at the top of the screen.
Extra Tips to Align the Taskbar Icons to the Left
When you change taskbar location to the top on Windows 11, your taskbar icons are aligned in the center. When you click Start, you will notice that the Start Menu will appear on the left side of the screen instead of in the middle. If you want the position of the Start button to match the position of the Start Menu at the top of the screen, you need to change the Taskbar Alignment to left.
- Right click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
- Expand the Taskbar behaviors by clicking the inverted triangle symbol.
- Select Left from Taskbar alignment.
- Now the position of the Start button and the position of the Start Menu should be on the left.
Summary
That's all for change taskbar location on Windows 11. If you want to return to the bottom taskbar, just change the number in Registry Editor. As mentioned earlier, changing device settings is risky, so it is recommended that you back up your computer before making any changes to avoid unnecessary trouble.
AOMEI Backupper is a powerful backup software that can help you protect your computer and avoid any data loss. With its help, if your Windows 11 taskbar not working after update, you can easily restore your computer to its previous working state. It is also very helpful to solve the problem of Windows 11 Start Menu not working. Use it now to protect your computer!
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