Microsoft Wants to Add a Flexible Taskbar-Style Dock to PowerToys

PowerToys remains one of the most useful utilities available for Windows users, and Microsoft wants to push it even further with a bold new idea.

According to Neowin, Microsoft is proposing a new PowerToys feature called Command Palette Dock, a secondary, taskbar-style interface designed for faster access to tools and extensions.

PowerToys might finally bring us a customizable taskbar

Microsoft shared the proposal on the PowerToys GitHub repository, complete with detailed explanations and early concept images. The idea centers on quick interaction rather than replacing existing workflows.

Unlike the standard Windows taskbar, the Command Palette Dock could sit on any edge of the screen. Users would gain instant access to pinned Command Palette extensions without opening the full Command Palette UI.

The design focuses on awareness and speed, allowing users to glance at available tools and act immediately.

The proposal describes a highly customizable dock experience:

• Move the dock to any side of the screen
• Pin favorite Command Palette extensions for one-click access
• Adjust background styling and opacity
• Control where extensions appear and reorder them freely

Microsoft describes the concept as significantly more flexible than the default taskbar, with a look that feels closer to a next-generation Windows interface than today’s UI.

Command Palette Dock has not been confirmed for release. Microsoft labels it as an early-stage proposal and actively requests community feedback.

If enough users support the idea, Microsoft may bring the dock to a future version of PowerToys, but no timeline exists yet.

While Microsoft experiments with new PowerToys features, the company has also released KB5074105. Early reports suggest some users experience camera and lock screen issues after installing the update.

At the same time, Windows 10 continues to regain market share, even as Microsoft maintains an aggressive push toward Windows 11. The trend highlights ongoing hesitation among users when it comes to upgrading, despite Microsoft’s steady stream of new features and UI experiments.