Windows devices come with features that help you to personalize the desktop setting and moving the Windows 11 taskbar to the left is one such essential adjustment. Based on your preference, you can move the Windows 11 taskbar to a new location.
There are three methods to do so, using the Windows setting, Editing the Windows registry, and Using third-party applications.
Let’s get started and get to the details of Windows 11 move Taskbar to left.
What is the default setting on Windows 11?
In Windows 11, you can locate the Start button on the left side of the centered group of icons. Previously, it was positioned at the bottom left corner of the screen. Now, this new change has made the display bigger than ever, also you can see the center of the screen is closer to the cursor.
However, if you are used to the previous position and this has become your habit, then a sudden change can lead to a delay in work. Thus, Windows 11 gives you the option to personalize the taskbar to ease your work. You can try Windows 11 move Taskbar to left to enhance your productivity.
4 Methods for Windows 11 Move Taskbar to Left
Here are the methods that you must follow for Windows 11 move Taskbar to left.
Method 1: Using Windows Settings – Move the Windows 11 Taskbar
On your Windows 11 device, you would find that the taskbar is on the left side of the screen. So, if you want to move the Windows 11 taskbar, then you have to use the Windows Settings.
Here are the steps that you need to follow:
- To bring up the Settings menu, you have to press the Windows + I key.
- Click on Personalisation from the left pane and next select Taskbar.
- From the drop-down menu, you have to unfold the Taskbar outlook.
- Finally, set the Taskbar alignment and choose Left.
- You do not have to restart the computer to implement the changes, rather the taskbar will move to its new allocated space instantly.
Method 2: Using the Windows Registry – Move the Windows 11 Taskbar
You can also reposition the Windows 11 taskbar to the left by using the Windows Registry. Before you proceed with the given steps, inspect which Windows version you are using.
Here are the steps you need to follow to check the Windows version –
- Get to the Start button, right-click on it, and select Settings.
- Next, navigate to System and select About to inspect the Windows specifications.
- Note down the Windows version that you are using at present.
- Create a registry backup point, in case you find editing the registry a bit complicated. This would ensure that you wouldn’t lose any data in case any technical glitch occurs.
Next, for Windows 11 move Taskbar to left, here are the steps to edit the registry –
- Get to the search bar and look for the Registry Editor.
- Next, select Run as Administrator and select HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software.
- Choose Microsoft, tap on Windows, and select CurrentVersion.
- Select Explorer, click on StuckRects3 and open the Settings value from the right pane.
You need to replace the value in the FE column and based on this new value, you will note changes in the position of the taskbar.
Alternatively, you can also launch Task Manager using the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Next, get to the Processes tab, right-click on Windows Explorer, and select Restart. Verify whether you have successfully shifted the Taskbar to a new position.
Method 3: Use Open Shell Menu – Windows 11 move Taskbar to left
- If you want to shift the taskbar to the left side, substitute 03 with 00.
- If you want to shift the taskbar to the top, substitute 03 with 01.
- If you want to shift the taskbar on the right side, substitute 03 with 02.
- If you want to implement the changes you might have to restart the computer, in most cases, while editing the Registry.
- If you want to get back the previous Taskbar version on Windows 11, then you can do that with the Open Shell menu. It is a free and open-source application that can replace the Start menu with any of the versions that you like, such as – Windows 95, Windows XP, and Windows 7.
All you have to do is install the application and choose the options based on your preferences. With this application, you can also replace the Start button with any other icon to get the best productivity from Windows 11.
Method 4: Using ExplorerPatcher – Windows 11 move Taskbar to left
If the above methods are not feasible for your condition, then you can also use other third-party tools, such as ExplorerPatcher. This is a free application, using which you can get back the classic left-positioned design of the Taskbar. Along with that you also get the previous functionalities, including the possibility to change the bar position.
So, to proceed here are the steps that you must implement.
- Get to the ExplorerPatcher GitHub page and open it. Navigate to the Assets section and download the app by clicking on the extension ep_setup.exe.
- If required, you need to confirm that the file should be kept in the web browser.
- Next, install the app by double-clicking on it. Get to the Taskbar, right-click on it, and select Properties.
- Again, click on the Taskbar. You have to use the Taskbar Style setting and choose the Windows 10 option.
- Get to the Primary taskbar location on Screen settings and select the Top option. This will help to shift the Taskbar to the top of the screen.
- Based on your preferences, you can also move the Taskbar option either to the left or to the right.
- You can also get to the Start Button Style setting and choose the Windows 11 option.
- Otherwise, on the primary taskbar settings, using the combine taskbar icons, you can also click on the Always Combine option.
- Next, click on the Start menu, and using the Start Menu Style settings, you have to select the Windows 11 option.
If you are still unable to see any changes, then click on the Restart File Explorer option which would be available in the bottom left corner. When you have successfully implemented the steps, you can use the taskbar, which will be available at the top of the screen.
Conclusion
Based on the recent update from Microsoft, they warn that third-party applications can lead to booting issues on Windows 11. At the same time, these third-party application developers are also working to update the tool and fix the bugs so that you do not face any glitches while using them. However, it is your decision to choose any of the methods mentioned above and move the taskbar to the left on Windows 11.
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