Taskbar Customization is Finally Coming to Windows 11, Here's What You Can Expect

Last week, Microsoft outlined a comprehensive plan to fix Windows 11 from the ground up. Among the announced plans, Taskbar customization was one of the highlights. In the announcement post, Windows chief, Pavan Davuluri, noted that “repositioning the Taskbar is one of the top asks” from Windows 11 users.

As a result, the company will be introducing the “ability to reposition it to the top or sides of your screen, making it easier to personalize your workspace.” Now, in a report for Windows Central, Zac Bowden, citing his sources, has detailed how the Taskbar customization will work whenever it lands on Windows 11.

Here’s how the new customizable Taskbar for Windows 11 will work

Per Bowden’s sources, the Taskbar resize options will work as they do on Windows 10. The Taskbar’s height and icons will shrink, while elements like the date, time, and widget text collapse into a single line instead of what you’re used to seeing in Windows 11 all these years.

Apparently, this change will help users free up screen space, especially on smaller displays. While auto-hide has always been available, many users prefer keeping the Taskbar visible without it taking up too much room. Besides Taskbar resizing, Microsoft has announced that it will bring back Taskbar repositioning. Internally, Taskbar repositioning is said to be a top-priority feature for Microsoft, while resizing is also important but slightly lower in urgency.

Once the feature is released, you will be able to move the Taskbar to the top, bottom, left, or right side of the screen. However, the report notes that, unlike Windows 10, this may only be adjustable through the Settings app instead of simple drag-and-drop.

The updated Taskbar experience is also expected to adapt based on where it’s placed. Features like Quick Settings, Search, and Widgets will adjust their layout accordingly. One limitation noted in the report is that the search bar may not appear when the Taskbar is placed vertically due to space constraints.

It’s worth noting that Taskbar customization has always been demanded by Windows 11 users ever since it came onto the scene. Now, it looks like Microsoft is fully committed to bringing one of the most-demanded features after years of waiting.

Other key areas Microsoft is targeting to fix in Windows 11

Besides Taskbar customization, Microsoft has also promised to cut the Copilot clutter across the OS, ensuring that it will only release AI features where it matters most. Performance is another major area of Windows 11, which Microsoft has confirmed will be taken care of. The company is aiming to make the system faster, smoother, and more consistent for daily use.

It’s worth noting that Microsoft previously also aimed to significantly improve system efficiency under an internal initiative called the “20/20 project.” Sadly, it never reached completion. However, this time, under the leadership of Pavan Davuluri, things look optimistic.