8 Ways to Improve the Windows 11 Taskbar

The Windows 11 taskbar is beautiful, simple, and aesthetically unique. While we like the new look, there are improvements we can do.

For example, you can’t move or resize the taskbar by default. But you don’t have to accept it as is; you may customize the taskbar to your liking.

Taskbar bloatware removal

The Windows 11 taskbar has unnecessary buttons and functionality. Right-click the empty portion of the taskbar and select “Taskbar Settings”

Next, expand Taskbar Items. To remove them from the taskbar, uncheck the boxes next to Search, Task View, Widgets, and Chat.

Taskbar app pinning

It doesn’t support Windows 10’s taskbar drag and drop functionality, which lets you just drag an app icon to the taskbar. Simply go to the Start menu, right-click the app you want, and select “Pin to Taskbar”. Right-click any open app and select “Pin to taskbar” from the context menu.

Left-align taskbar icons

The Windows 10 taskbar is gone! Microsoft lets you reposition taskbar icons. Right-click the taskbar, select “Taskbar Settings,” and then select “Left” in the “Taskbar alignment” function.

Taskbar customization (auto-hide, badges, and more)

Screenshot from article 8 Ways to Make the Windows 11 Taskbar More Useful: Amir Pathak
Windows 11 features a dedicated component for customizing the taskbar. Right-click the taskbar, select “Taskbar Settings,” and then pick “Taskbar Behaviors.”

If you have a touchscreen laptop or a tiny screen device, you may choose to conceal the taskbar. On “Automatically hide the taskbar” The taskbar now only appears when you move your pointer to the bottom of the screen or swipe up from it.

Similarly, the “Show badges on taskbar apps” option disables badges on taskbar icons. Disable the “Show flashing on taskbar apps” option if you don’t like it.

If you have numerous monitors, utilize the “Show my taskbar on all displays” function to activate or disable it.

Change the taskbar’s accent color

You may alter the taskbar’s accent color (and the taskbar only). New Theming Engine in Windows 11 Choose an accent color under Personalization > Colors. Go to Settings > Personalize > Start and Taskbar > Show Accent Color.

Placing the taskbar atop the screen

Microsoft has anchored the taskbar to the screen’s bottom and won’t let you move it. It can’t be moved to the left or right edges of the screen, but it may be moved to the top using a registry hack.

In the top bar of Start > Registry Editor, type the following:

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

Drill a hole through your computer and try again. This opens the “Edit Binary Value” box with a table of values. Find the fifth value from the left in the second row. Default value is “03.”

Place the cursor to the right (end) of this value, press Backspace once, and change the value to “01.” Click the “OK” button and exit the Registry Editor app.

Then restart Windows Explorer.

Change the taskbar’s size

Another major change in Windows 11 is that you can’t simply expand the taskbar. Although there is no options menu to adjust this, a registry hack can be used.

Go to Start > Registry Editor and type:

HKEY CURRENT USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Right-click and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. A new entry will be added to the bottom of the “Advanced” folder. Rename it to “TaskbarSi.”

Double click the “TaskbarSi” file. In the “Value Data” field, enter “0” if you want a smaller taskbar and “2” if you want a larger one (“1” being the default option). Click the“OK” button.

Restart your computer. Your taskbar should resize itself.

Turn the taskbar into a dock using an app

Finally, a third-party software may change the Windows 11 taskbar completely. TaskbarXI can make your Windows 11 taskbar a dock or translucent.

The open-source program is still being developed and will include more customization options.