If daily computer use is part of your routine, personalizing your workspace can significantly enhance your comfort and productivity. A great starting point is to select an appealing wallpaper and screensaver that resonate with your style. However, once your PC sports a fresh look, the next step is to declutter your desktop. By organizing your most-used applications in a single location, you can create a more efficient workspace.
While it may seem trivial, optimizing your taskbar can save you valuable time in the long run. Instead of crowding your desktop with shortcuts, consider pinning your frequently-used programs directly to the taskbar. This allows for quick access with just a click, streamlining your workflow.
How to pin/unpin programs on the taskbar
Adding or removing icons from your taskbar is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your PC’s usability. To pin a program, simply right-click on its icon and select Pin to taskbar. Conversely, to unpin a program, hover over its icon on the taskbar and select Unpin from taskbar.
Pinning applications to your taskbar differs from pinning them to the start menu, so choose accordingly based on your needs.
How to change your taskbar settings in Windows 11
Taskbar settings can be adjusted in two main areas. Most settings are found under the Taskbar tab, while you can customize the taskbar color in the Color tab. To begin:
- Open the Settings menu by pressing Win + I.
- Select the Personalization tab from the left panel.
- To modify your taskbar settings, navigate to the Taskbar tab.
- For color adjustments, head to the Colors tab.
Taskbar icons
The Taskbar items tab displays your default apps. You can customize the visibility of the Search function, choosing from options like Search box or Hide. Additionally, you can enable or disable Task view and Widgets applications from the taskbar.
If you prefer using the Task view without taking up space on the taskbar, utilize a trackpad shortcut by dragging down with three fingers on your laptop’s trackpad.
System tray icons
The System tray icons section allows you to add various applications and widgets to your taskbar. This area typically contains icons for applications running in the background. It’s advisable to add only those applications you frequently use to avoid clutter.
Taskbar behaviors
In the Taskbar behaviors section, you can adjust the alignment of your taskbar icons, choosing between Left or Center alignment. If you prefer a cleaner look, you can opt to have the taskbar appear only when hovered over by selecting the Automatically hide the taskbar option.
How to change your taskbar color
To change the color of your taskbar in Windows 11, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Colors. Here, you can select an accent color that complements your desktop theme:
- Find the Accent color dropdown menu and set it to Manual to choose your preferred color.
- Enable the Show accent color on Start and Taskbar option to apply your selected color.
Making your PC more useful
With these adjustments, your taskbar can become less cluttered and more functional. Whether you’re looking to remove unnecessary icons or simply want to revert to a more familiar layout, these steps will help you tailor your taskbar to better suit your needs. For further customization options, consider exploring guides on enhancing your Windows 11 experience.
