Microsoft is planning to bring back the ability to move and resize the Taskbar on Windows 11 as part of its effort to improve sentiment around the OS this year.
The Taskbar will no longer be stuck to the bottom of the screen.(Image credit: Windows Central / Zac Bowden)
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As part of Microsoft’s big push to improve sentiment around Windows 11 this year, the company is working on several highly requested features and changes that are designed to signal to the public that it is listening to feedback. According to my sources who are familiar with Microsoft’s plans, one of those features is the ability to move the Taskbar.
The ability to move the Taskbar has been something that users have been asking for since Windows 11 was first announced. It was a feature that has been available to Windows users since Windows 95, but was removed with the debut of Windows 11 in 2021 after the company chose to rebuild the Taskbar from scratch. Five years later, and it seems the company is finally working to bring it back.
I’m told that the Taskbar on Windows 11 will be able to be positioned to the left, right, or top of the display, and the company is working to ensure all the Taskbar flyouts and buttons work as expected when in these alternate orientations. In addition, I understand that Microsoft is also working on the ability to resize the Taskbar, offering users the ability to adjust how much space the Taskbar takes up on screen.
Sources say that development on these Taskbar capabilities is now underway, and should be unveiled over the summer if plans don’t change. I’m told this Taskbar work is considered a high priority for the Windows team, meaning they are pouring extra resources into it to ensure it ships in a timely manner.
Improvements to the Taskbar aren’t the only thing Microsoft is working on for Windows 11 this year. The company is scrambling to address other top-level feedback items too, including general system performance complaints, File Explorer issues, and others. I’ll have more to share on these improvements in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, it seems Microsoft is really serious about addressing “pain points” that have eroded user trust on Windows 11 in the last two years. The company is eager to generate some positive sentiment around the OS, and it’s hoping addressing these top-level feedback items will help with that goal.
Microsoft did not respond for comment on these plans.
Do you think adding features like the ability to move and resize the Taskbar will help Microsoft win back positive sentiment?
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Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central and has been with the site since 2016. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows, Surface, and hardware. He's also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter and Threads
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