Windows 11 is finally bringing back movable Taskbar options

Microsoft is preparing one of the biggest Windows 11 Taskbar changes since the operating system launched. After years of complaints, Windows 11 will finally let you move the Taskbar to the top, bottom, left, or right side of the screen.

The change is already available to Windows Insiders on the experimental branch. This means it is still being tested, but it is now clear that Microsoft is working to restore a feature many Windows users missed from older versions.

Windows 11 launched with a locked bottom Taskbar. Microsoft likely made that choice to simplify the interface, reduce old code, and make the system more consistent across touch devices and regular PCs. But for long time Windows users, the change felt like a step backward. Many people had used top, side, or vertical Taskbars for years, and some moved to third party tools just to get that control back.

The new update brings back more flexibility. You will be able to place the Taskbar on any side of the screen. Microsoft is also adding options for icon alignment, including centered or top aligned icons depending on the Taskbar position.

The return of “never combine windows” is also important. This option lets each open window appear separately on the Taskbar instead of being grouped under one app icon. Many productivity focused users prefer it because it makes switching between windows faster and clearer.

Microsoft is also bringing back a compact Taskbar option, sometimes called a small Taskbar. This should help people who want more screen space, especially on laptops and smaller displays.

The update is not complete yet. Auto hide support and tablet optimized Taskbar behavior for the new positions are planned for later. Microsoft is also still evaluating more advanced features, such as per monitor Taskbar placement and drag and drop changes for moving the Taskbar.

The Start Menu is getting attention too. Microsoft plans to add more customization options, including controls for sections, Recommended files, Recommended apps, and Start Menu size. This should make the Windows 11 Start Menu feel less fixed and more personal.

These changes matter because Windows 11 has often been criticized for removing useful options that existed in Windows 10 and earlier versions. A cleaner design is helpful, but people also want control over how their desktop works. Microsoft now seems more willing to listen to that feedback.

There is no public release date yet for everyone outside the Insider Program. Since the feature is already being tested, it may reach normal Windows 11 PCs in the coming months if testing goes well.

For users who never liked the locked Windows 11 Taskbar, this is a major step in the right direction. Microsoft is not only adding a new feature. It is restoring a familiar part of Windows that many people felt should never have been removed.