How to Change Taskbar Location in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Windows 11 taskbar is one of the most recognizable parts of your desktop. It gives you quick access to the Start menu, pinned apps, notifications, and system tools. But what if you want to move it — maybe to the top, left, or right of your screen for better workflow or personal preference?

If you’ve upgraded to Windows 11, you might have noticed that Microsoft removed the simple drag-and-drop option to move the taskbar. By default, it sits at the bottom, and changing its position requires a few extra steps. Don’t worry — this guide will walk you through how to change taskbar location in Windows 11 step by step using both Settings and advanced methods.

What Is the Taskbar in Windows 11?

The taskbar is the horizontal (or sometimes vertical) bar usually located at the bottom of your screen. It contains:

• The Start menu button

• Pinned and running app icons

• System tray (with clock, network, and sound icons)

• The notification area

In Windows 11, Microsoft redesigned the taskbar to make it more modern and centered by default. While it looks sleek, some users miss the old flexibility from Windows 10 — especially the ability to move the taskbar around.

2. Why Change the Taskbar Location?

There are several reasons why you might want to move the taskbar to another location:

✅ Ergonomics – If you use an ultrawide or vertical monitor, placing the taskbar on the side may save space.
✅ Personal preference – Some people just prefer the taskbar at the top, similar to macOS.
✅ Multitasking – Moving it can make it easier to manage multiple windows.
✅ Accessibility – Easier access for touch-screen users.

In short, customizing your taskbar location helps improve both comfort and productivity.

3. Can You Move the Taskbar in Windows 11?

Officially, Windows 11 only lets you change the alignment (center or left) of the taskbar icons — not the entire bar.

However, with a few Registry Editor tweaks, you can move it to the top, left, or right.

⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Always back up your data before making changes.

4. How to Change Taskbar Alignment (Center or Left)

Before moving the taskbar entirely, you can change how the icons are aligned. This is simple and doesn’t require advanced tweaks.

Steps:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.

2. Scroll down and click on Taskbar behaviors.

3. Under Taskbar alignment, open the dropdown menu.

4. Choose either Left or Center.

Your icons will instantly move to your preferred position.

5. How to Change Taskbar Location Using Registry Editor

To move the entire taskbar, you’ll need to edit the Windows Registry — a powerful database that stores system settings.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open Registry Editor

   • Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to the Taskbar Settings Path:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3


3. Export a Backup

   • Right-click on StuckRects3 → Export → Save as “taskbar_backup.reg”.

4. Modify the Taskbar Position:

   • Double-click on Settings in the right pane.

   • A binary value editor will open.

   • Find the fifth column, second row (03).

     • 03 = Bottom

     • 01 = Top

     • 00 = Left

     • 02 = Right

   • Replace 03 with your desired value.

5. Restart Windows Explorer

   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

   • Scroll down to Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose Restart.

Your taskbar will now move to your chosen location.

6. How to Move the Taskbar to the Top in Windows 11

This is the most common customization people want. Here’s how:

Steps:

1. Follow the same registry steps as above.

2. Change the value from 03 (bottom) to 01 (top).

3. Restart Windows Explorer.

Now, your taskbar will appear at the top of your screen — much like macOS.

7. How to Move the Taskbar to the Left or Right

While possible, these positions are less polished. Windows 11’s interface isn’t yet optimized for vertical taskbars.

Steps:

1. Open Registry Editor.

2. Go to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3


3. Change the value:

   • 00 = Left

   • 02 = Right

4. Restart Windows Explorer.

You’ll see the taskbar shift to the left or right side, though icons may appear stretched or misaligned.

8. How to Restore the Taskbar to the Bottom

If you want to undo the changes:

1. Open the same StuckRects3 registry path.

2. Change the binary value back to 03.

3. Restart Windows Explorer.

Your taskbar will return to the default bottom position.

9. Alternative: Use Third-Party Tools to Move the Taskbar

If you’re uncomfortable editing the registry, you can use tools like:

• Taskbar11 – Free and easy to use for repositioning the taskbar.

• ExplorerPatcher – Advanced customization options for Windows 11 UI.

• StartAllBack – Premium tool that restores classic taskbar flexibility.

These programs allow you to move, resize, and style the taskbar without manual registry edits.

10. Tips for Customizing the Taskbar Layout

Here are a few additional tweaks to enhance your experience:

• Change taskbar color:
  Go to Settings → Personalization → Colors → Accent color.

• Enable or disable icons:
  Open Taskbar settings → Taskbar items.

• Auto-hide the taskbar:
  Under Taskbar behaviors, check Automatically hide the taskbar.

• Resize icons:
  Use small taskbar buttons via registry or third-party tools.

These small changes can make your desktop cleaner and more efficient.

11. Common Issues When Moving the Taskbar

Sometimes, you might face problems such as:

• Taskbar not moving even after registry edit.

• Icons overlapping or disappearing.

• Taskbar clipping off-screen.

These issues happen because Windows 11 UI doesn’t natively support all taskbar positions.

12. How to Fix Taskbar Not Moving or Displaying Correctly

Try these fixes:

1. Restart Windows Explorer after any change.

2. Sign out and back in to your account.

3. Clear icon cache:

   • Open Command Prompt and run:

     ie4uinit.exe -show


4. Revert to bottom and reapply the change.

If problems persist, third-party tools like ExplorerPatcher can stabilize the taskbar.

13. How to Reset Taskbar Settings

If the taskbar behaves oddly, you can reset it:

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Personalization → Taskbar.

2. Click Reset to default (if available).

3. Or delete this registry key:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3


4. Restart your PC.

Windows will rebuild the taskbar configuration automatically.

14. How to Back Up Taskbar Settings Before Editing

Always back up your configuration first:

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3


3. Right-click StuckRects3 → Export.

4. Save the file somewhere safe.

You can double-click this backup file anytime to restore your original taskbar position.

15. Final Thoughts and Safety Tips

Changing the taskbar location in Windows 11 requires a bit of manual tweaking, but it’s completely doable.

If you prefer minimal risk, use third-party tools like Taskbar11. But if you enjoy customizing Windows, the Registry Editor method gives you total control.

Just remember:

• Always back up before editing the registry.

• Restart Windows Explorer after each change.

• Stick to safe tools from trusted sources.

16. FAQs

1. Can I drag the taskbar like in Windows 10?

No, Windows 11 removed drag-and-drop movement. You must use the registry or a third-party app.

2. Is it safe to edit the registry?

Yes, if done carefully. Always back up before making changes.

3. Can I move the taskbar vertically on dual monitors?

You can, but results vary. Windows 11 doesn’t fully support vertical alignment yet.

4. What’s the easiest way to move the taskbar to the top?

Use the Taskbar11 app — it’s user-friendly and requires no registry editing.

5. Will Microsoft bring back full taskbar movement?

Possibly. Many users have requested it, and Microsoft may reintroduce this feature in future updates.

17. Summary: Key Takeaways

✅ Bottom line: You can change your Windows 11 taskbar location safely using either the Registry Editor or third-party tools. With a few clicks, you’ll have your desktop set up exactly how you like it — top, side, or bottom.