How do I move my taskbar to the side of my screen?

Violet Sloan 255

I just upgraded from windows 10 to 11, but one issue is I can't work out how to put the taskbar on the side of the screen. This was an option in windows 10, you could just unlock it and drag it to the edge to move it, but now I can't see an option to do that anywhere. Any help would be much appreciated, I like how a side taskbar looks and feels so much more, having it stuck on the bottom is hideous in comparison.

ldu_sspe 75 Reputation points

2025-06-16T14:36:16.8166667+00:00

I've avoided upgrading my personal computer to Windows 11 for this reason and I've been happy that the company I work for hasn't forced us to upgrade to Windows 11 as of yet; again, for this reason. But, soon Microsoft will be forcing me to upgrade to Windows 11 both at home and at work which is super annoying. At least with my personal computer I could potentially find some third-party work arounds like ExplorerPatcher to allow me to continue having taskbar settings that mimic Windows 10; though, with some risks (so not ideal), but I doubt I'll be able to do anything about it with my work computer. I can't believe that in ~4 or so years since Windows 11 was introduced Microsoft still hasn't introduced the taskbar setting abilities that were featured in Windows 10. What a massive, MASSIVE disappointment!
Rusty Halverson 50 Reputation points

2025-07-25T22:36:38.3966667+00:00

Doesn't the team there understand the pressure and confusion that this forced placement creates for the user of the interface? I'm having to frequently move whole windows up in order to access a tab or start button which is trapped underneath the taskbar. By allowing the tools to be tucked offscreen and off-center, they could be saving lives! I've witnessed panic-attack-like symptoms due to this ill-considered design abuse.
Sheesh!
B W 120 Reputation points

2025-08-14T22:40:30.5466667+00:00

Let us all know who we have to petition to allow the taskbar to be move: having used a 'left' taskbar configuration for many years on Windows 10, my recent change to 11 has me repeatedly clicking on the taskbar during certain routine chores because it use to be elsewhere.
Christopher Privett 55 Reputation points

2025-10-17T04:40:02.52+00:00

Takes a lot of gall to force everyone to switch, make us jump through hoops, fill out bs forms, installer fails to even install the program multiple times, and then you can't even personalize it the same way the "lesser" program and every version before it allowed you to do? I use my pc on a 45 inch smart tv. I NEED the task bar on the side or it's a real pain to even see what I'm doing. Why would this even be an issue? Who thought it was good idea to remove it? This should be fixed months ago.
bethieskulls 45 Reputation points

2025-10-17T16:39:23.7266667+00:00

Amen Christopher! Amen! Even something as simple as the time and date moving over to the lower right instead of the lower left is a BIG issue! Stupid, frustrating changes to justify forcing us to make upgrade and HARDWARE changes to their whims? This is beyond BS... and seems to be falling on deaf ears!!
Pasquale Galante 20 Reputation points

2025-10-22T04:28:53.6433333+00:00

This stinks, i seems like a bunch of 30-year-olds making stuff to look good with their supervisors
CMM 15 Reputation points

2025-11-04T12:53:31.0066667+00:00

It is not just an aesthetic or preference issue. The software package I use has all of its controls at the bottom of the screen. The task bare is in the way, and it can't be moved.
Tristan Walker 10 Reputation points

2025-11-05T21:21:51.38+00:00

Very, very disappointed to have lost this taskbar functionality. I have been running windows with a right-hand taskbar for 25+ years. This is very disruptive to the way I use the computer, and I really cannot see the reason for discontinuing the feature. Count me PISSED.
Laurie D 10 Reputation points

2025-11-18T18:28:12.8633333+00:00

So glad I use a Mac for my personal computer and can put the taskbar where I want. Unfortunately, on my work computer, a Windows machine, it's now stuck at the bottom of the screen.

I have always put the taskbar on the left side of the screen because vertical real estate is so limited. If you're working on documents with a vertical orientation, such as writing a report or correspondence, you now must further reduce the viewing size of the document to fit it on the screen. REALLY ANNOYING. Who thought this was a good idea???
Michelle Shepherd 0 Reputation points

2025-12-04T22:29:37.2233333+00:00

Why wont you fix this???? I will never upgrade until this is fixed. I can't use 3rd party aps due to work security. It cannot be that difficult a change as there are mods out there that have already done it.
MiPo 0 Reputation points

2025-12-05T08:38:20.85+00:00

It's absolutely frustrating that the newer versions of Windows have removed or restricted features that used to work perfectly in older versions. Instead of improving functionality, Microsoft has stripped down options that power users relied on for years. This regression is disappointing and frankly embarrassing for a company of their stature – it feels like progress has turned into a step backwards.

Answer accepted by question author

Austin-H 6,990 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-16T02:02:06.21+00:00

Hi @Violet Sloan,

Thank you so much for reaching out through the Microsoft Q&A forum. I really appreciate your question, and I completely understand how frustrating it must be to lose a feature you relied on especially when it affects how you work and feel about your setup.

In Windows 10, it was indeed possible to unlock and drag the taskbar to the side of the screen. Unfortunately, in Windows 11, Microsoft has removed the built-in option to reposition the taskbar vertically. At this time, there’s no official way to move it to the left or right side of the screen.

I know this change can feel limiting, especially if you’ve grown used to the vertical layout. While some users have found alternative ways to optimize screen space, I understand that it’s not quite the same and that having the taskbar stuck at the bottom may not suit your workflow or aesthetic preferences.

I truly hope that in future updates, Microsoft will consider reintroducing more flexible taskbar positioning options to better support diverse user preferences and workflows.

If you need help with any of the steps, feel free to let me know. I’m here to support you however I can.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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7 people found this answer helpful.
Papadopoulos, Dimitrios, VF external 20 Reputation points

2025-06-16T05:03:41.16+00:00

I have the same problem, please consider the problem!!! we have to be the task bar unlocked!!!!

Violet Sloan 255 Reputation points

2025-06-16T12:17:46.05+00:00

Well that's very dissapointing that they removed the feature, but thank you for letting me know! At least now I don't need to go crazy hunting through the menus for the option to move it.

susan collacott 60 Reputation points

2025-07-09T03:41:48.79+00:00

Totally ridiculous you can't have taskbar on the left. Already a 16:9 aspect ratio gives a skinny vertical dimension. Now it is worse when the taskbar has to be at the bottom. Wake up Microsoft!

Don't Stop Believing 40 Reputation points

2025-07-24T16:43:28.95+00:00

That stinks. Why didn't they include something that simple in Windows 11?

Matthew Hoffman 55 Reputation points

2025-07-24T19:29:34.46+00:00

Please reconsider providing this ability. I need the extra space at the bottom! Our monitors are already horizontal, and Microsoft has taken away valuable real estate by requiring the task bar to be at the bottom and not allowing us to move it to the side.

Dempsey, Jason P (DOH) 5 Reputation points

2025-08-04T18:01:32.11+00:00

This feels like the reason why Windows keeps losing market share to me. Ah well, Cannonical has a very workable solution for this problem. I've moved all of my personal boxes over to Ubuntu, so there's just my one work box, and I literally curse about MS every time I have to do more than one thing at a time.

B W 120 Reputation points

2025-08-14T22:41:34.24+00:00

Totally agree

Cheryl Jelks 15 Reputation points

2025-08-20T14:00:08.8066667+00:00

I contacted my IT department about this. I suffered from carpel tunnel & had surgery. Moving side to side for selections is much easier than constantly breaking my wrist going up & down to a task bar. SMH

LB 20 Reputation points

2025-08-20T16:46:31.7166667+00:00

Where can we provide feedback to the Windows 11 development team on this issue? If you call something an upgrade from a previous version but you take away functionality that has existed for years, then it's not an upgrade. There are literally thousands and thousands of people that have been asking for this since Win 11 came out. What's the issue?

CrazyKats 13,365 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-08-20T16:49:07.29+00:00

You have to use the Feedback Hub to file suggestions.

Michael Taylor 61,106 Reputation points

2025-08-20T16:49:27.01+00:00

Feedback for Windows is provided via the Feedback Hub app in Windows. That is how you share feedback with the Windows team. We have no control over what the team does with it on this site.

Alan McEntee 35 Reputation points

2025-08-23T07:09:04.48+00:00

Instead of telling us that we have merely grown used to something, think about most of us repositioned the taskbar to the side to gain more useable space. Most work spaces are square. Taking more room from the top and bottom of a landscape screen is self defeating. That is why most of us choose to park the taskbar on the side. Every program and web page already parks their tabs and options on the top. We don't need another. Right at this moment, I have text from top to bottom of my screen but wasted space on both sides.

bethieskulls 45 Reputation points

2025-10-01T15:58:36.6633333+00:00

Don't try to placate the issue! Come up with a solution!

Polly Zetterberg 15 Reputation points

2025-10-13T19:23:39.9933333+00:00

Please figure out how the user may customize the desktop to their best work methods! A vertical taskbar was very, very helpful in getting the most screen for the document or image. Thanks.

B W 120 Reputation points

2025-10-17T04:51:54.9566667+00:00

Austin A - thanks for the polite NO, but you also say "there’s no official way to move it to the left or right side of the screen" so let us know about the 'unofficial' method to move the task bar...

neal graham 35 Reputation points

2025-10-18T17:17:40.8+00:00

YET ANOTHER STUPID MR SOFTY change that makes their software LESS USEFUL for no good reason. Same with restricting the use of Microsoft Office versions of Outlook with an exchange account!!!! WTH MOCROSOFT!!! I bought the Office software and now I can't use it with an Exchange account I'm paying you for? I have to use the brain damaged Web Outlook app instead? guess I need to go find a new email program...

Dioni 20 Reputation points

2025-10-19T20:47:57.01+00:00

AI automatic generated answer lol
They fk ignore our issues :D

B W 120 Reputation points

2025-10-19T23:30:57.9766667+00:00

Austin - still awaiting to hear about the "unofficial" way to relocate the taskbar

Panji Mahendraputra 10 Reputation points

2025-10-20T00:49:35.1366667+00:00

please consider the problem. thankyou and please.

neal graham 35 Reputation points

2025-10-20T01:29:10.49+00:00

Yeah, an AI programming bot could do this in an hour or less. Or is Mr. Softy's AI no good? Really silly not to fix this.

Pasquale Galante 20 Reputation points

2025-10-22T04:30:31.94+00:00

You must reinstall this feature to place the taskbar where we like it.

This communistic treatment and not American spirit at all.

Neal Graham 15 Reputation points

2025-10-22T18:20:26.8733333+00:00

How do you install this feature in windows 11?

Peter Martinson 10 Reputation points

2025-10-25T19:36:54.78+00:00

unbelievable

bethieskulls 45 Reputation points

2025-10-26T03:27:47.2733333+00:00

...well... that was a "placate the masses" answer. I see a future job as a Press Secretary for you...

Mikey Jensen 26 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2025-11-03T20:38:47.9966667+00:00

This is an important accessibility feature to some people, and it's really sad to see it be removed. Is there anyone we can reach out to about this?

Mac Depriest 10 Reputation points

2025-11-03T20:58:06.2666667+00:00

Austin I need your help really bad buddy. I'm going through a rough time in all aspects of my life and this little taskbar was the last straw. I'm sitting here at home and I really think I can't take it anymore ya know. Like I mean I really refuse to be treated like this. Do you really, in any sense whatsoever "understand how frustrating it must be to lose a feature you relied on". Are you even capable of understanding anything real, or has the cacophony of bald faced lies told by strange creatures with pearly white teeth you're surrounded by at work rattled your head so hard that you actually don't care at all about anyone in this thread? I wonder. It's a good question, does anyone at microsoft care about anyone in this thread to any extent?

You heard Rusty Halverson, the guys having panic attacks. This is a normal guy trying to use one of his most basic household tools and it's making him freak out.
It's like you buy a a hammer and it just shocks you sometimes. A windows 11 operating system is like a hammer that randomly shocks you.

Using a computer is about having power. It should, and can be a very edifying experience. Something that strengthens you, something that makes you grow.

The simplest way to give users that power, the best way to "empower", to make things "accessible", to "support creatives", is to have more options in the settings screen. Buttons to click. Drop down options. Let the user craft their own special menu, their own delicious meal. But microsoft seems to have no conception of what using a computer is about, nor do they care at all about user experience.

Austin, I just hope you understand that everything in this god-forsaken world is degrading.

B Scherer 15 Reputation points

2025-11-04T01:37:45.18+00:00

Microsoft engineers are idiots. Sorry, but true. Overpaid, underworked and incapable of simple tasks that those before them mastered with ease. Why do we have to "regress" b/c some idiot in MS wants to feel "important" and FORCE all of us to choose HIS/HER way?? I STILL have seen NO intelligent explanation for why this was removed other than "it's too HARD to program it"...really?? A $3 TRILLION company and you can't figure this out and it EXISTED before, but now it's "too hard" waaaa. I hope someday soon Elon takes your business (and your jobs) because you all deserve it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_3dHEjmZvc

neal graham 35 Reputation points

2025-11-04T02:22:21.8133333+00:00

exactly they are goofs. why they can't see how they are screwing up everything for the users is beyond me. And all of this thread is just more proof they dont give a crap

B W 120 Reputation points

2025-11-05T23:01:41.9766667+00:00

tens of thousands of users have replied to this topic and it is past time for Microsoft to listen to their customers. We know you can do this because you have in the past. Don't know whose job, promotion or ego is on the line here but ignoring us won't make this topic go away.

Neal Graham 15 Reputation points

2025-11-05T23:33:51.86+00:00

Mr. Softy doesn’t give a crap. That they can’t make this simple feature available again is proof they just don’t care. And yet we keep giving them our money. I plan to move my email off of a Microsoft Exchange server and stop using Office and Outlook. It’s the only way to fight their lack of care.

Neal Graham 15 Reputation points

2025-11-19T00:35:06.54+00:00

More non answers

Luu 1 Reputation point

2025-11-24T08:35:41.32+00:00

Please revert this downgrade, I need this for a professional work flow.
Windows 10 (the last windows you will ever need..), Win10 obsolete, Win11 with more limitations.

Ray 10 Reputation points

2025-12-02T20:20:28.98+00:00

I am a veteran software developer and I was recently forced to move to Windows 11 by my company because Windows 10 support is sunset. In the first day of use, I immediately found out this feature was removed from Windows 11. I don't quite understand the decision process of removing feature at the Microsoft production management team. This is exactly the same thing as when they decided to remove the Start button in Windows 8 and people were willing to pay $5 to the third party software to get the button back. Years later, Microsoft put the Start button back in Windows 10. At that time, I joked with my wife that Microsoft should fire the product manager who made the wrong decision. I sincerely hope Microsoft can learn the lesson and hear the customers' voices more.

bethieskulls 45 Reputation points

2025-12-05T16:54:41.09+00:00

...an attempt at placating thousands of frustrated users! Windows 11 is the most BLOATED, frustrating version of windows that has ever been released! FIX THE CRAP THAT NO LONGER WORKS AS IT DID IN PREVIOUS VERSIONS!
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Mac Depriest 10 Reputation points

2025-11-03T20:59:27.5066667+00:00

Microsoft is encouraging it's customers to lay down on the floor and give up. They are encouraging their customers to become alcoholics, to stop voting, and to neglect their children.
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Mac Depriest 10 Reputation points

2025-11-03T21:06:46.1533333+00:00

I'm immensely angry about this. I'm enraged beyond belief.
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Christian Eriksson private 5 Reputation points

2025-11-14T11:44:45.7766667+00:00

I hope Microsoft immediately brings back this feature of being able to align the taskbar to the left, right, bottom or top of the screen.
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Hi-Angel 5 Reputation points

2025-11-24T08:52:56.38+00:00

Since there's no official solution and people have to resort to workarounds, one people could use is setting up something like Nobara KDE (which does support panel on the side), and then running Windows apps via either Bottles or Valve's Proton, or if that doesn't work, then via WinBoat or WinApps.

This provides Windows 11 applications usage, but with the benefit of being able to better customize the look of the system.

P.S. worth pointing out Windows did support KDE natively back in XP days. But I don't think it works anymore.
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How do I move my taskbar to the side of my screen?

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