Alright, let's get that Windows 11 taskbar moved over to the left side of your screen! It's a common customization, and I can certainly guide you through it.
Ready to reclaim that familiar left-aligned taskbar? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Accessing Taskbar Settings
This is where the magic begins! There are a couple of ways to get to the taskbar settings, but here's the most straightforward method:
Right-Clicking Method
- Locate an empty space on your taskbar. Make sure you're not clicking on any icons or the Start button.
- Right-click in that empty area. A context menu will pop up.
- From the context menu, select "Taskbar settings". This will open the Settings app directly to the taskbar configuration page.
Through the Settings App
- Click on the Start button (the Windows logo, usually at the center or left of your current taskbar).
- Click on the "Settings" icon (it looks like a gear). Alternatively, you can search for "Settings" in the Start Menu search bar and open the app.
- In the Settings app, navigate to "Personalization" in the left-hand sidebar.
- On the Personalization page, scroll down and click on "Taskbar". This will take you to the various taskbar customization options.
Step 2: Finding the Taskbar Alignment Option
Once you're in the Taskbar settings, you'll need to locate the specific option that controls the taskbar's position on the screen.
Exploring Taskbar Behaviors
- Within the Taskbar settings page, look for a section called "Taskbar behaviors". You might need to click on this section to expand its options.
- Inside "Taskbar behaviors," you'll find various settings related to how your taskbar functions. Keep an eye out for a dropdown menu or a setting labeled something like "Taskbar alignment".
Selecting "Left" Alignment
- Click on the dropdown menu associated with the "Taskbar alignment" setting. By default, this will likely be set to "Center".
- From the dropdown menu, choose "Left".
Step 3: Witnessing the Change
As soon as you select "Left" from the dropdown menu, you should see your taskbar instantly move from its current position (likely the center or bottom) to the left side of your screen.
Observing the Shift
- Pay attention to how all your pinned applications, the Start button, the search bar, and the notification area icons all relocate to the left edge of your display.
- Take a moment to get accustomed to this new position. For long-time Windows users, having the Start button on the left might feel more natural.
Adjusting Other Settings (Optional)
While you're in the Taskbar settings, you might want to explore some other related options:
- Taskbar corner icons: Customize which icons appear in the system tray (notification area) on the left side.
- Taskbar corner overflow: Manage which icons appear when the system tray becomes full.
- Automatically hide the taskbar: Configure the taskbar to disappear when not in use, giving you more screen real estate. You can choose to have it appear when you hover your mouse over the left edge.
- Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels: Control how multiple windows of the same application are grouped on the taskbar.
Step 4: Closing the Settings
Once you're satisfied with the new position of your taskbar and any other adjustments you've made, you can simply close the Settings app window. Your changes will be automatically saved.
Enjoying Your Left-Aligned Taskbar
Congratulations! You've successfully moved your Windows 11 taskbar to the left side of your screen. Enjoy the familiar layout and the personalized feel of your desktop environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to revert the taskbar back to the center?
Quick Answer: Open Taskbar settings (right-click on the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings"), go to "Taskbar behaviors," and in the "Taskbar alignment" dropdown, select "Center".
How to move the taskbar to the top of the screen?
Quick Answer: Unfortunately, Windows 11 currently does not natively support moving the taskbar to the top or right sides of the screen through the standard Settings app.
How to move the taskbar to the right side of the screen?
Quick Answer: Similar to moving it to the top, Windows 11's built-in settings do not allow moving the taskbar to the right side.
How to lock the taskbar in its new left position?
Quick Answer: By default, the taskbar's position is locked after you set it. There isn't a separate "lock" option for its location in Windows 11.
How to troubleshoot if the "Taskbar alignment" option is missing?
Quick Answer: The "Taskbar alignment" option should be present in Windows 11. If it's missing, ensure your Windows 11 installation is up to date. You can check for updates in Settings > Windows Update. If the issue persists, it might indicate a more significant system problem.
How to quickly access Taskbar settings using a keyboard shortcut?
Quick Answer: There isn't a direct keyboard shortcut to open Taskbar settings specifically. However, you can press Win + I to open the Settings app and then navigate to Personalization > Taskbar using the Tab key and arrow keys.
How to customize the size of the taskbar after moving it to the left?
Quick Answer: Windows 11 doesn't offer a direct way to resize the taskbar. You can indirectly influence its size by adjusting the scaling of your display in Settings > System > Display.
How to change the icons on the left-aligned taskbar?
Quick Answer: You can pin and unpin applications to the taskbar by right-clicking on their icons (either on the taskbar or in the Start Menu) and selecting "Pin to taskbar" or "Unpin from taskbar". You can also rearrange them by dragging and dropping.
How to make the left-aligned taskbar automatically hide?
Quick Answer: In Taskbar settings > Taskbar behaviors, check the box next to "Automatically hide the taskbar". It will then appear when you move your mouse cursor to the left edge of the screen.
How to change the color of the left-aligned taskbar?
Quick Answer: You can customize the taskbar color in Settings > Personalization > Colors. Make sure "Show accent color on Start and taskbar" is enabled. You can choose an automatic color or select a custom one.