Microsoft Lets Windows 11 Taskbar Sit on Any Edge

Microsoft has been leaning hard into the idea that what matters with Windows is getting the basics right, as opposed to bolting on more AI gunk. An early example of that drive is a recent announcement involving more configurability for the taskbar and Start menu in Windows 11.

In a blog post titled "Improving Windows quality: Making Taskbar and Start more personal," Microsoft detailed changes to the taskbar, which the post describes as "where your PC experience comes to life." The primary update allows the taskbar to be placed along any edge of the desktop: top, bottom, left and right.

Users will be able to align the Start button and icons in all four arrangements, with options for top-aligned or centered when the taskbar is on the left or right, and left-aligned or centered when the taskbar is on the top or bottom. This functionality was largely available in previous versions of Windows but removed for Windows 11.

When using a vertical taskbar, users will be able to choose between a thin bar similar to the standard Windows 11 configuration or a wider bar that allows for fully labelled buttons for each running application. An option for an even thinner taskbar than usual will also be available, which will come in handy on lower resolution displays where space is at a premium.

Start menu changes include section-level toggles to independently show or hide Pinned, Recommended, and All, plus settings to tweak the size of the Start menu. There is also an option to hide your name and profile picture for privacy purposes.

Microsoft is improving the content that appears in the Recommended section and changing its name to Recent "to better reflect what the section primarily shows, including recently installed apps and recently used files." The company is also improving the accuracy of recent files shown, refining which files appear and how they are ordered to reduce less relevant items and better reflect what users have been working on.

The changes will come first to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel over the coming weeks. Microsoft has not given a date for a full public release but indicated it will probably be made available within a few months.

Expert Take: Enterprise admins overseeing Windows 11 deployments will find these personalization controls useful for reducing user friction around interface preferences without custom scripting.