\n
While Windows 11 brings interesting improvements over Windows 10, its taskbar has been a huge disappointment for some users compared to the previous versions. For instance, you cannot change its position from the bottom to other sides nor resize the icons. However, you can still customize the taskbar and use it like a pro with the tips mentioned below. <\/p>\n
Also read:<\/strong><\/span>10 Major Improvements in Windows 11 over Windows 10<\/span><\/p>\n1. Open Taskbar Settings Quickly<\/h2>\n\nTo open taskbar settings quickly from any screen, right-click on the taskbar and select \u201cTaskbar settings\u201d from the menu. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
\nAlternatively, go to \u201cWindows Settings \u2192 Personalization \u2192 Taskbar\u201d to view Taskbar settings. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n2. Change Taskbar Alignment<\/h2>\n The first change you may notice after installing Windows 11 is the position of the Start menu and app icons on the taskbar. Everything on the taskbar is centrally located in Windows 11. Thankfully, it\u2019s not an irreversible feature.<\/p>\n
To move the icons to the left as present in Windows 10 and earlier versions:<\/p>\n
\nOpen the \u201cTaskbar settings\u201d as shown above.<\/li>\n Expand the Taskbar behaviors section. Choose \u201cLeft\u201d in the box next to \u201cTaskbar alignment.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
Also read:<\/strong><\/span>How to Use Windows 11 without a Microsoft Account<\/span><\/p>\n3. Pin Apps to Taskbar<\/h2>\n Windows 11 doesn\u2019t support dragging and dropping apps to the taskbar. There are three other ways to pin apps to the taskbar in Windows 11.<\/p>\n
1. From Taskbar<\/h3>\n If an app is open, right-click on its icon in the taskbar and select \u201cPin to taskbar.\u201d<\/p>\n
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2. From Desktop<\/h3>\n If the app icon is present on the desktop, right-click on its icon. Select \u201cMore options\u201d from the menu followed by \u201cPin to taskbar.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nAlternatively, open Start Menu and click on \u201cAll apps.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
\nAll the installed apps on your computer will show up. Right-click on the app to pin and select \u201cPin to taskbar.\u201d<\/li>\n If you don\u2019t see the option, right-click and choose More, then press \u201cPin to taskbar.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
Also read:<\/strong><\/span>How to Easily Translate Web Pages with Google Chrome<\/span><\/p>\n4. Pin Web Pages to Taskbar<\/h2>\n Just as with apps, you can pin web pages and progressive web apps (PWA) to the taskbar. Again, there are multiple ways to do so.<\/p>\n
1. From Desktop<\/h3>\n First, create a desktop shortcut for the web page. To do so, open the website in Chrome using any browser. Click on the three-dot icon at the top and go to \u201cMore tools \u2192 Create shortcut.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Once the shortcut appears on the desktop, right-click on it and select \u201cShow more options\u201d followed by \u201cPin to taskbar.\u201d<\/p>\n
2. Using Microsoft Edge<\/h3>\n If you are unable to use the above method, you should pin web pages using Microsoft Edge. The drawback is that the pages will open in Microsoft Edge only.<\/p>\n
\nLaunch Microsoft Edge and open the website you would like pinned. Click on the three-dot icon at the top.<\/li>\n Go to \u201cMore tools\u201d followed by \u201cPin to taskbar.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
3. Using Apps Folder<\/h3>\n\nFirst, create a desktop shortcut or PWA for the web page. <\/li>\n Press Win<\/kbd> + R<\/kbd> to open the Run window. <\/li>\nType shell:appsfolder<\/code>. The list of installed apps will show up. <\/li>\nRight-click on an icon and go to \u201cShow more options\u201d followed by \u201cPin to taskbar.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n4. Using a Browser Icon<\/h3>\n Finally, you can keep your favorite web pages pinned under the browser\u2019s icon on the taskbar to access them quickly.<\/p>\n
\nOpen the web page you want to pin in the browser and close it. Right-click on the browser\u2019s icon in the taskbar. <\/li>\n You will see the web page listed under the \u201cRecently closed\u201d section. Hover your mouse pointer over the web page and click on the Pin icon.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
\nThe web page will show up under the Pinned section. Now, whenever you want to open a pinned website, right-click on the browser\u2019s icon and click the website from the Pinned list.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
Also read:<\/strong><\/span>Things to Do Before and After Installing Windows 11<\/span><\/p>\n5. Pin Custom Folders to Taskbar<\/h2>\n You can pin any folder of your choice, such as your work folder, favorites, downloads, etc., to the taskbar.<\/p>\n
\nRight-click on the Desktop and select \u201cNew \u2192 Shortcut.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
\nSelect the location of the folder you want to pin using the Browse button. Once the location shows up in the text field, type \u201cExplorer\u201d before the location and press the \u201cNext\u201d button.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
\nGive a name to your shortcut and click on the \u201cFinish\u201d button.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
\nThe shortcut will be created on the Desktop. Right-click on it and go to \u201cShow more options\u201d followed by \u201cPin to taskbar.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n6. Reorder Icons in Taskbar<\/h2>\n By default, the app icons will show up on the taskbar in the order they were pinned or opened. However, you can change their position to suit your needs. by long-pressing on the app icon with the mouse and dragging it to the new position.<\/p>\n
7. Unpin Apps From Taskbar<\/h2>\n Right-click on the pinned app in the taskbar and select \u201cUnpin from taskbar.\u201d<\/p>\n
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You can also right-click on the app in Start Menu and choose \u201cUnpin from taskbar.\u201d<\/p>\n
8. Open Grouped Apps from Taskbar<\/h2>\n Windows 11 took multitasking to a new level using snap layouts. When you snap windows, you can open them quickly from the taskbar. Hover the mouse pointer over either of the app\u2019s icons on the taskbar and click on the grouped apps to view them.<\/p>\n
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9. Add Apps to Taskbar Corner<\/h2>\n In addition to pinning apps to the taskbar, you can add some apps and features in the right corner of the taskbar. Instead of staying in the overflow menu (up arrow), these items can be accessed directly from the taskbar.<\/p>\n
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Tip<\/strong>: pin some apps and add other apps to the taskbar corner if you want many apps on the taskbar.<\/p>\nTo do so, open Taskbar settings and expand the Taskbar corner overflow section. Enable the toggle next to the items to show them on the taskbar.<\/p>\n
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Note<\/strong>: you cannot hide, rearrange, or ungroup icons like battery, sound, or Wi-Fi from the taskbar corner.<\/p>\nAlso read:<\/strong><\/span>Windows 11 Search Bar Not Working? Here\u2019s 7 Ways to Fix It<\/span><\/p>\n10. Show or Hide Taskbar Items<\/h2>\n If you want to add more apps to the taskbar, you should hide items like the Search icon (magnifying glass), Task view, Widgets, and Chat from the taskbar. These are the icons that show up between the Start Menu and pinned items.<\/p>\n
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\nOpen \u201cTaskbar settings.\u201d<\/li>\n Expand the Taskbar items section. <\/li>\n Turn off the toggle next to the items you want to remove from the taskbar.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
11. Show or Hide Taskbar Corner Icons<\/h2>\n Another way to increase the space on the taskbar is by hiding the corner icons like Pen menu, Touch keyboard, and Virtual touchpad.<\/p>\n
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\nGo to \u201cTaskbar settings.\u201d<\/li>\n Expand the Taskbar corner icons section. <\/li>\n Disable the toggle for the desired items.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
Also read:<\/strong><\/span>How to Set Up Windows 10 Taskbar News and Interests Widget<\/span><\/p>\n12. Hide Taskbar When Not in Use<\/h2>\n If the continuous presence of the taskbar keeps distracting you from your work, enable a setting that will hide the taskbar when it\u2019s not in focus. The taskbar will show up only when you hover your mouse over it.<\/p>\n
\nTo do so, open \u201cTaskbar settings.\u201d <\/li>\n Under the Taskbar behaviors section, check the box next to \u201cAutomatically hide the taskbar.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
13. Show Notification Badges on Taskbar<\/h2>\n Just like smartphones, you can enable notification badges for supported apps in the taskbar. This makes it simple to determine whether you have a new message.<\/p>\n
\nOpen \u201cTaskbar settings.\u201d<\/li>\n Check the box next to \u201cShow badges on taskbar apps\u201d under the \u201cTaskbar behaviors\u201d section.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
14. Enable or Disable Desktop View<\/h2>\n Just as with previous versions of Windows, you can minimize all apps and open the desktop instantly using the Show desktop button on the extreme right corner of the taskbar.<\/p>\n
\nTo activate this feature, access \u201cTaskbar settings \u2192 Taskbar behaviors section.\u201d<\/li>\n Check the box next to \u201cSelect the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
15. Show Taskbar on All External Monitors<\/h2>\n When using multiple displays, you can decide whether the taskbar should show up on other monitors or not. You can also customize how and when the taskbar apps should show up.<\/p>\n
\nOpen \u201cTaskbar settings.\u201d<\/li>\n Enable the toggle for \u201cShow my taskbar on all displays.\u201d<\/li>\n Once enabled, you can choose where the taskbar should appear from the drop-down box next to \u201cWhen using multiple displays, show my taskbar apps on.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
Also read:<\/strong><\/span>How to Use Multiple Monitors in Windows 10<\/span><\/p>\n16. Make Taskbar Transparent<\/h2>\n You can make the taskbar translucent with a default setting present on your computer. <\/p>\n
\nGo to \u201cWindows Settings \u2192 Personalization \u2192 Colors.\u201d <\/li>\n Enable the toggle next to \u201cTransparency effects.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
However, if you want to make the taskbar completely transparent, you should install TranslucentTB, a third-party app available at the Microsoft Store.<\/p>\n
17. Change Color of Taskbar<\/h2>\n By default, your taskbar can use either light or dark theme colors. However, with certain modifications, you can apply any color to the taskbar.<\/p>\n
To do so, follow these steps:<\/p>\n
\nOpen \u201cWindows Settings \u2192 Personalization \u2192 Colors.\u201d<\/li>\n Choose \u201cCustom\u201d from the drop-down box next to \u201cChoose your mode.\u201d <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
\nSelect Dark from \u201cChoose your default Windows mode.\u201d<\/li>\n Scroll down and enable the toggle next to \u201cShow accent color on Start and taskbar.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
\nScroll up and select the accent color, which will be used as the taskbar color.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
Note:<\/strong> the accent color will apply to the Start Menu as well.<\/p>\n18. Open Task Manager from Taskbar<\/h2>\n In Windows 10, you would right-click on the taskbar and open Task Manager from the menu. This feature has been removed in Windows 11. However, you can still open Task Manager from the taskbar in Windows 11.<\/p>\n
\nTo do so, right-click on the Start Menu icon and select \u201cTask Manager.\u201d<\/li>\n You can also open other utilities like Device Manager, Power options, Shutdown, and more from this menu. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
Also read:<\/strong><\/span>10 Ways to Open the Task Manager in Windows<\/span><\/p>\n19. Open Last Active Window from Taskbar<\/h2>\n When you open multiple instances of the same app, they are grouped together under one icon in Taskbar. You need to hover the mouse over the app icon to select the window to open. An easy way is to directly launch the last active window by clicking the app icon.<\/p>\n
To do so, you need to make some Registry changes as shown below. However, please back up your registry before following these steps:<\/p>\n
\nOpen Windows Search and type regedit<\/code>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\nIn the \u201cRegistry Editor,\u201d type or copy and paste the following address into the address bar:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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HKEY_CURRENT_USER<\/span>\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced<\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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