taskbar position Archives

Winsage

September 9, 2026

Latest Windows 11 update restores your taskbar control, patches 995 security flaws

Microsoft's September Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 introduces several enhancements, including the ability to reposition the taskbar to the top, left, or right sides of the screen. Users can adjust the taskbar's alignment, height, and icon size, though the auto-hide feature is limited to the bottom position. The Start menu now allows users to select between Small and Large sizes, with the Recommended section rebranded as Recent, and options to hide their name and profile picture. The Search window has been streamlined to focus on suggested or recent searches. The update addresses 995 security vulnerabilities, including 121 critical vulnerabilities and two zero-day flaws (CVE-2026-81963 and CVE-2026-85880), which could allow attackers to gain system-level privileges.

Winsage

August 29, 2026

Windows 11 just revived one of its most missed features

Microsoft has updated the taskbar, allowing users to customize it through Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Taskbar behavior → Taskbar position. A new "Small" mode minimizes the taskbar's icons and height, suitable for smaller screens, but it can only be positioned at the top or bottom. The Start menu has been rebranded from "Recommended" to "Recently used," and users can hide their name and profile picture. There are toggles for managing the visibility of pinned apps, recommended content, and all apps. Future updates will include options for small and large layouts and an automatic resize feature. Windows Search has been improved for clarity, with future updates indicating the source of search results. Users can disable web or Store results in search settings, and Windows will automatically index frequently used folders for better search efficiency.

Winsage

August 27, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 Goes Into Release Preview Channel

Microsoft has released Windows 11 version 26H2, build number 26300.9278, in the Release Preview Channel for Windows Insiders. This update focuses on extending the support cycle for users transitioning to 26H2. Microsoft has been rolling out support and updates since late 2024, activating essential features with each new release cycle. Enablement packages (eKBs) are crucial for the update mechanism, allowing users on versions 24H2 or 25H2 to upgrade to 26H2 with a simple eKB, while users on older branches like 22H2 and 23H2 will undergo a full feature update. Additionally, the KB5120996 update has been released for Windows 11 26H1, specifically for Windows-on-Arm devices, aligning with enhancements in the KB5120998 update for the 24H2 and 25H2 branches, which include taskbar and Start Menu customization and overall performance improvements.

Winsage

August 2, 2026

Windows 11: Movable and Smaller Taskbar in Beta Test

Microsoft is expanding the testing of its redesigned taskbar for Windows 11 to the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program with the release of Beta Build 26220.9022 on July 31, 2026. This update allows selected participants to reposition the taskbar along any edge of the screen—top, left, right, or bottom—and introduces a more compact variant that reduces icon size and overall height. Users can adjust their taskbar position through the Settings menu under Personalization, and Windows will adapt associated flyouts and animations accordingly. The implementation aims to restore flexibility lost when Windows 11 was launched, where the taskbar was fixed to the bottom of the screen. However, some features remain under development, and limitations exist for alternative positions, including incomplete touch gestures and a simplified search box. The compact taskbar feature currently only supports reduced height at the top or bottom positions. Microsoft is also exploring taskbar positioning across multiple monitors but has not guaranteed different positions for each screen. The recent updates include renewed certificates for the Windows Insider Program and additional builds, with the timeline for stable release of these taskbar adjustments still uncertain.

Winsage

July 31, 2026

Announcing new builds for 31 July 2026

New Windows Insider Preview Builds have been released for both the Beta and Experimental channels, featuring renewed Windows Insider flight certificates valid until August 11, 2026. The Experimental channel has already incorporated these renewed certificates. Notable new features include: 1. Adaptive Hibernate Policy: Enhancements to improve instant-on resumes from Modern Standby and battery preservation, with less frequent hibernation above 80% battery and earlier hibernation below 10%. 2. Alternate Taskbar Position: Users can change the taskbar's position to bottom, top, left, or right through Settings. Tooltips, flyouts, and animations will function in alternate positions, but some features are still in development. 3. Smaller Taskbar: A new, smaller taskbar option is available for maximizing screen space, particularly on smaller devices, allowing for smaller icons and reduced height. Users can adjust this setting in Taskbar behaviors.

Winsage

July 26, 2026

Everything we know so far about Windows 11’s big 2026 (26H2) update arriving this fall, including changes for Start menu, Taskbar, and Search

Windows 11's 2026 update, version 26H2, enhances the Start menu, Taskbar, and Windows Search. Taskbar Changes: - Users can reposition the Taskbar to the top, bottom, left, or right of the screen. - The interface adapts to the Taskbar's position, with the Start menu and Search opening downward when at the top. - Vertical Taskbar layouts have an abbreviated year display and lack a seconds option, but support app ungrouping and labels with the "Never combine" setting. - Users can reduce the Taskbar's size, which will also make icons smaller. Start Menu Changes: - Users can select from various size options for the Start menu, though drag-to-resize and full-screen layouts are not available. - Users can choose which sections ("Pinned," "Recent," and "All") to display. - A new setting allows users to hide their account name and profile picture while sharing screens. Search Changes: - The Search home page emphasizes recent searches and minimizes distractions from trending topics and promotional content. - Web results are prioritized over products or sponsored content when they are the best match. - Users can disable web results and Microsoft Store suggestions for a local search experience. - The ranking system prioritizes local content, ensuring apps, settings, and files appear before web results. - The Search box height has been increased by four pixels for improved usability.

Winsage

June 9, 2026

Microsoft is Finally Letting You Move the Windows 11 Taskbar

Windows 11 introduces taskbar customization features that allow users to reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen (top, bottom, left, or right) and resize it for improved workflow and adaptability. These features are currently available in Windows 11 Insider experimental builds. The Start menu and pinned icons automatically adjust to align with the new taskbar position. Users can enable smaller taskbar buttons to maximize screen space, which is particularly useful for compact devices. The taskbar can also be set to minimize at all times, only when full, or never. These updates aim to optimize screen space and enhance accessibility and personalization for diverse workflows and screen configurations.

Winsage

May 24, 2026

Windows 11 brings back taskbar positioning and resizing, but longtime users will notice key differences

Microsoft has introduced enhancements to the Taskbar in Windows 11 with the latest preview build (26300.8493) from the Experimental channel for version 25H2. Users can now reposition the Taskbar to any edge of the screen—top, bottom, left, or right. The Taskbar can also be resized, allowing users to reduce its height and button size without needing a system restart. The option to change the Taskbar position is available under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, and resizing options are found in the same section. However, the implementation lacks the intuitive drag-and-drop functionality present in Windows 10, requiring users to navigate through settings for adjustments. Additionally, when the Taskbar is vertical, the year is shown in an abbreviated format, and seconds are omitted from the time display. The auto-hide feature has some issues, and the tablet-optimized Taskbar is limited to the bottom position.

Winsage

May 23, 2026

I tested Windows 11’s return of taskbar positioning and resizing, and it’s not the classic Windows 10 experience

The Taskbar in Windows 11 will receive enhancements allowing users to reposition and resize it, similar to features in Windows 10. The latest build, 26300.8493, enables placement of the Taskbar at any screen edge—top, bottom, left, or right. The interface will adapt to the Taskbar's position, with the Start menu and Search opening downward when docked at the top. In a vertical layout, the year will be abbreviated, and seconds will not be displayed. Users can ungroup app labels using the "Never combine" option when the Taskbar is on the left or right. The new "Taskbar position" setting is found under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar in the "Taskbar behaviors" section.

Winsage

May 21, 2026

The 13 biggest Windows 11 changes from early May — and why these updates matter for how the OS evolves through the rest of 2026

Microsoft has released preview builds for Windows 11 in May 2026 as part of the Windows Insider Program, focusing on refining existing functionalities. Key improvements include: 1. The reinstatement of Taskbar position settings, allowing users to place the Taskbar at the top, left, or right edges of the screen. 2. An upgraded Voice Typing experience on the touch keyboard with a new design and animations. 3. Significant changes to the Windows Update system, allowing users to skip updates during the Out-of-box Experience and pause updates indefinitely in 35-day blocks. 4. The introduction of a "Shared Audio" feature enabling two users to share the same audio stream from a single computer using Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast technology.