How to Move the Taskbar in Windows 11 (Top, Left or Right) -

Quick answer: To move the taskbar in Windows 11, open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, expand Taskbar behaviors, and choose a position: bottom, top, left or right. The option arrived with the September 2026 update, so install the latest Windows updates first if you don’t see it.

For five years, Windows 11 locked the taskbar to the bottom of the screen. That annoyed a lot of people who’d kept it on the side or top in Windows 10. Microsoft added the option back in the September 2026 cumulative update (KB5124008) for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, and it’s part of the Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) too.

Below you’ll find the steps, how to make the taskbar smaller, the limits of the new feature, and what to do if the setting isn’t on your PC yet.

What you need before you start

The taskbar position setting only exists on up-to-date Windows 11 PCs. You need one of these:

Windows 11 version 24H2 or 25H2 with the September 2026 update (KB5124008, released 8 September 2026) or anything newer.
Windows 11 version 26H2, the 2026 Update that began rolling out on 29 September 2026.

To check your version, press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter. Then open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates to install anything pending.

One catch: Microsoft is releasing the feature gradually. Windows Latest notes that it uses a controlled feature rollout, so installing the update doesn’t always switch the option on straight away.

How to move the taskbar to the top, left or right

Right-click an empty part of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. (Or open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.)
Scroll down and expand Taskbar behaviors.
Find the taskbar position option.
Choose Top, Left, Right or Bottom from the drop-down menu.
The taskbar moves immediately. No restart is needed.

Unlike Windows 10, you can’t simply drag the taskbar to a new edge. The change has to be made in Settings, according to Windows Latest.

How to make the Windows 11 taskbar smaller

The same update added a smaller taskbar. BleepingComputer quotes Microsoft describing it as a way to “maximize screen space on smaller devices.” It’s handy on 13- and 14-inch laptops.

Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
Expand Taskbar behaviors.
Look for the taskbar size option and pick the smaller size.

When the taskbar is at the top or bottom, the whole bar gets thinner. When it’s on the left or right, the icons shrink but the layout stays vertical.

What doesn’t work yet with a side or top taskbar?

The new positions come with a few limits, as reported by Windows Latest. It’s worth knowing them before you commit:

No search box on the sides. With the taskbar on the left or right, the search box doesn’t appear. You can still press the Windows key and start typing to search.
Auto-hide works only at the bottom. If you like a hidden taskbar, you’ll need to keep it at the bottom for now.
Touch-optimized layout is bottom-only. On 2-in-1 laptops used as tablets, the bigger touch-friendly taskbar only works in the bottom position.
No drag and drop. As mentioned, you have to use Settings.

If you mostly use a mouse and keyboard on a desktop monitor, these limits are easy to live with. A left-side taskbar is popular on wide and ultrawide screens, where vertical space is more precious than horizontal space.

Microsoft may change some of these in later updates, so check again after future Patch Tuesdays.

Other taskbar and Start menu tweaks worth trying

The September 2026 update and the 2026 Update brought a few related changes. According to BleepingComputer and Thurrott, you can now:

Change the Start menu size. You can now choose between a small and a large Start menu; look for the size option under Settings > Personalization > Start.
Use the renamed “Recent” section. The Start menu’s “Recommended” area is now called “Recent.”
Hide your name and profile picture on the Start menu, which helps if you share your screen in meetings.
Turn off web results in search. A new setting controls whether web and Microsoft Store suggestions appear alongside files and apps on your PC.

The older option to move Start and taskbar icons to the left (Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar alignment) still works too, if you just want a more Windows 10-like layout without moving the bar.

Taskbar position option missing? Try this

Install every update. Go to Settings > Windows Update, select Check for updates, and install everything, including optional updates. Restart afterwards.
Turn on early features. In Settings > Windows Update, switch on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available, then check for updates again. This also offers the Windows 11 2026 Update when your PC is eligible.
Confirm your version with winver. Older versions such as 23H2 Home and Pro no longer get updates and won’t get this feature.
Check for work or school management. If your PC is managed by an employer or school, an administrator may control taskbar settings.
Wait a little. Because of the gradual rollout, the option may appear a few days or weeks after the update.

Some tech sites point to a third-party tool called ViVeTool that can force hidden features on. We don’t recommend it for most people: it changes system settings Microsoft hasn’t enabled for your PC yet, and Windows Latest notes it doesn’t always work. Waiting is the safer option.

Still on Windows 10? The taskbar there already moves freely, and you’ve got free security updates until October 2027. See our explainer on Windows 10 security updates.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drag the taskbar to the top in Windows 11?

No. Even with the new feature, you have to change the position in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors. Dragging isn’t supported.

Can I put the taskbar on a second monitor only?

The taskbar position setting applies to where the taskbar sits on your screens. To choose whether it shows on all displays, use the “Show my taskbar on all displays” option under Taskbar behaviors.

How do I move the taskbar back to the bottom?

Open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, expand Taskbar behaviors, and set the position back to Bottom. It changes instantly.

Does moving the taskbar slow down my PC?

No. It’s a layout change only and has no meaningful effect on performance.

Browse more Windows how-tos in our Computing section.

How to Move the Taskbar in Windows 11 (Top, Left or Right)