Microsoft Acknowledges User Feedback: Windows 11 Taskbar Changes on the Horizon
Microsoft is responding to user criticism and is poised to revamp the Windows 11 experience, starting with a significant change: the ability to move the taskbar. In Windows 10, users could position the taskbar at the top of the screen, or on the left or right edges. Windows 11 locked it to the bottom. According to sources at Windows Central, this is set to change.
A Broader Effort to Improve the Windows 11 User Experience
Microsoft has initiated a major operation to improve the user experience with Windows 11, reacting to frequent criticism of the operating system. One result of this effort will be the restoration of taskbar positioning options, originally introduced with Windows 95.
Restoring Lost Functionality
The update will allow for complete functionality, meaning the taskbar can be moved to the top, left, or right of the screen. The ability to adjust the taskbar’s size will be reinstated. Currently, the taskbar height is fixed. A first step towards this was the addition of smaller icon sizes.
Small icons have been available since last summer. Though, even with smaller icons, the taskbar remains the same height, which some users identify inefficient.
These features are expected to arrive in the summer, barring any changes to the plan. Microsoft has not officially commented on the matter. According to Zac Bowden of Windows Central, the development team considers these taskbar improvements a high priority.
Internal Support for Change
Mikhail Parakhin, a former head of Windows 11 development, also voiced support for taskbar flexibility. He recently shared his thoughts on X, stating his preference for the vertical position but hoping for the return of lost functionality. He oversaw system development for half a year after Panos Panay’s unexpected departure from Microsoft in September 2023.
The Windows 11 taskbar was completely rewritten, resulting in the loss of several options previously available in earlier versions.
Many of these options have been gradually reintroduced over the more than four years since Windows 11’s release, but changing the position was not initially planned. Microsoft explicitly confirmed this shortly after the initial release of Windows 11, citing low demand and the complexity of implementation, preferring to focus on more frequently requested features.
Parakhin recently revealed that the development team aimed for solid symmetry during the creation of the first version of Windows 11. This led to the centering of buttons and the Start menu, with widgets on the left and system icons on the right.
Third-party tools like Start11, StartAllBack, and ExplorerPatcher currently provide these missing features. Will you discontinue their employ once Microsoft restores the original functionality?
Windows 10 Support and the Future of Microsoft Operating Systems
As Microsoft focuses on improving Windows 11, it’s important to remember that support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 11 for a more modern, secure, and efficient computing experience.
FAQ
- When will the taskbar changes be available? The changes are expected in the summer, though the timeline is subject to change.
- Will I be able to move the taskbar to any edge of the screen? Yes, the update will allow you to position the taskbar at the top, left, right, or bottom of the screen.
- Will I be able to resize the taskbar? Yes, the ability to adjust the taskbar’s size will be restored.
- What should I do if I’m still using Windows 10? Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 11 before Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025.
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