According to Microsoft, Windows 11 users will soon gain the ability to move and resize the taskbar alongside a heavily requested, customizable start menu, addressing some of the operating system’s most persistent user complaints. These features arrived in the Windows Release Preview Channel, signaling that a public rollout is just weeks away for users running non-insider versions of the software.
Movable Taskbar and Flexible Start Menu Coming to Windows 11 Public Build
Microsoft confirmed that the updated taskbar and start menu have entered the final Windows Preview Channel before a wide public release. According to Windows Central, these features usually spend two to three weeks in the Release Preview Channel before appearing in public updates. Users with the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switched on in Windows Update can expect the rollout later this month, while everyone else will receive it the following month, according to Microsoft’s deployment schedule.
The ability to move the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen has been a central demand for Windows 10 holdouts. According to user feedback tracked by Windows Central, the rigid locking of the taskbar in Windows 11 kept many users from upgrading. Along with taskbar positioning, the updated start menu allows users to resize the entire menu and toggle off entire sections. Microsoft is rolling out these features in waves to ensure system stability during the phased release.
July Patch Introduces Extended Update Pauses and Point-in-Time Restore
Alongside UI customization, Microsoft deployed a major monthly patch packed with significant under-the-hood improvements, according to TechRadar. The update addresses a major pain point by allowing Windows 11 Home users to pause system updates indefinitely beyond the previous five-week limit, provided users continuously renew the delay for every 35-day period. Additionally, TechRadar reported that the update introduces a point-in-time restore recovery option, which rolls back a non-functioning system to a previous working state while retaining apps, files, and settings.
TechRadar also noted that the July update cleans up the Windows 11 widgets panel by stripping out promotional clutter, ads, and MSN feeds by default. Notifications and taskbar badges are minimized, and widgets no longer expand automatically upon hover. However, TechRadar warned that certain system configurations, including specific Dell laptops, may experience delayed rollouts while engineers resolve specific bugs.
Pro Tip: If you want to bypass the wait for the new taskbar and start menu, you can enroll your PC in the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel today. Keep in mind that Microsoft is releasing the files in waves, so the interface changes may not appear instantly upon joining.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I move the taskbar on Windows 11?
According to Microsoft, the movable taskbar is currently available in the Release Preview Channel and is scheduled to begin public rollout later this month for users who enable early updates, and next month for all remaining users.
How long can I pause Windows 11 updates now?
According to TechRadar, Windows 11 Home users can now pause updates indefinitely by continuously renewing the delay for successive 35-day periods.
How do I get the new customizable start menu early?
You can access the updated start menu immediately by joining the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel through your Windows Update settings, though Microsoft notes the rollout happens in waves.
Join the Discussion
Are you planning to upgrade your workflow once the movable taskbar and customizable start menu arrive on your PC? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join our community discussions on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral.