Even a former Microsoft CEO was against the vertical Taskbar removals in Windows 11 — "I fought hard against the decision."

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The CEO of Advertising and Web Services had pushed back against Microsoft's decision — but vertical Taskbars may soon return.

Stardock on Windows 11 mockup with a Surface Laptop 7
Stardock is a great workaround, but we should have an official option soon. (Image credit: Stardock | Edited with Gemini)

Last week, Windows Central broke the news that Microsoft plans to bring back the ability to move and resize the Taskbar on Windows 11. You may know that the feature present in the Windows ecosystem since Windows 95, but it was unceremoniously removed during the launch of Windows 11 in 2021.

Microsoft’s decision to remove it 11 has proven unpopular among many users, fueling the rise of third‑party apps like Stardock and Windhawk, which let you customize the Taskbar’s orientation and more.

"Vertical taskbar is the best for productivity. I fought hard against the decision to take it away back then - hopefully it will be undone," Parakhin indicated.

The executive further indicated that Apple copied Microsoft's vertical Taskbar in Windows and implemented the idea in macOS shortly after acquiring Dock.

Parakhin isn't the first Microsoft employee to complain about Windows 11's flawed design elements. In 2024, former senior software engineer Andy Young, who worked at Microsoft for over 13 years, expressed his frustrations with Windows 11, citing performance issues while referring to the Start menu as "comically bad."

It’s great to see Microsoft listening to user feedback by bringing back the beloved feature that allows Windows 11 users to move the Taskbar to the left, right, or top of the display.

Elsewhere, Microsoft announced its big push to improve sentiment around Windows 11 in 2026, including reevaluating its AI strategy in Windows 11, which could involve streamlining or even removing features users don’t find valuable, including Copilot integrations in apps like Notepad and Paint.

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What’s the most important feature you want for the Windows 11 Taskbar? Let me know in the comments.

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Kevin Okemwa
Kevin Okemwa
Contributor

Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.

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