To move the taskbar in Windows 11, open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, expand Taskbar behaviors, and pick Bottom, Top, Left, or Right under Taskbar position. The taskbar moves as soon as you click. Microsoft added this option in the August 2026 preview update (KB5120998) for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, and it’s included in later updates. It’s rolling out gradually, so some PCs don’t show it yet.
How to Change the Taskbar Location in Windows 11
- Right-click an empty spot on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. (You can also go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.)
- Find Taskbar behaviors. It’s expanded by default on updated PCs. If it’s collapsed, select it to open it.
- Under Taskbar position, click Bottom, Top, Left, or Right.
The taskbar moves right away. There’s no Apply button. To put it back, repeat the steps and choose Bottom.
What Changes When the Taskbar Isn’t at the Bottom
- Menus still open from the taskbar. Tooltips, flyouts, and animations come from wherever the taskbar is, according to Microsoft’s release notes.
- Most taskbar settings still work. Options such as never combining taskbar buttons work in every position.
- No search box or small taskbar on the sides. The search box and the Small taskbar size only work when the taskbar is at the top or bottom. On the left or right, search shows as an icon. See how to move the search bar in Windows 11.
If You Don’t See Taskbar Position
Microsoft is turning the feature on in stages, so it can be missing even on an updated PC. First, go to Settings > Windows Update and install any available updates, then restart. If Taskbar position still isn’t there, your PC hasn’t received the feature yet. If the taskbar has disappeared completely, see how to get the taskbar back in Windows 11.
Until then, the closest built-in option is Taskbar icon alignment, in the same Taskbar behaviors section. Set it to Left to move the Start button and app icons to the left side of a bottom taskbar, like Windows 10. Our guide to moving the taskbar icons to the left shows that setting step by step.
How to Move the Taskbar to Another Monitor
Taskbar position moves the bar to a different edge of the same screen. To put the main taskbar on a different monitor, make that monitor your main display.
- Open Settings > System > Display.
- Select the monitor you want at the top of the page.
- Expand Multiple displays and check Make this my main display.
The Start button, system tray, and pinned apps move to that monitor. To show a taskbar on every screen instead, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and check Show my taskbar on all displays. For more detail, see how to change the main display in Windows 11.
Taskbar Position vs. Taskbar Icon Alignment
- Taskbar position moves the whole taskbar to the bottom, top, left, or right edge of the screen. There is no unlock step first; see why Windows 11 has no taskbar lock switch.
- Taskbar icon alignment keeps the taskbar where it is and only moves the icons between Center and Left.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move the Windows 11 taskbar to the top of the screen?
Yes, if your PC has the Taskbar position setting. Choose Top under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors.
How do I move the Start button to the left?
Change Taskbar icon alignment from Center to Left in Taskbar behaviors. This works on every version of Windows 11.
Can I make the taskbar smaller too?
Yes, on PCs with the same update. In Taskbar behaviors, set Taskbar size to Small to shrink both the icons and the bar. It only works with a top or bottom taskbar.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
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