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Vertical taskbars are back in Windows 11, but not from Microsoft
December 13, 2024
In a move that may delight users nostalgic for the vertical taskbars of yesteryear, Stardock has introduced a beta version of Start11 that enables this much-requested feature for Windows 11. This third-party application not only allows for the placement of a vertical taskbar on either the left or right side of the screen but also offers customization options for the Start menu, enhancing the user experience significantly.
Interest in vertical taskbars has surged, with over 55,000 views on a related Microsoft community post and thousands of comments across various platforms, including Reddit. Despite this clamoring for change, Microsoft has yet to incorporate a vertical taskbar into Windows 11. The absence of this feature has left many users questioning the decision, especially since previous iterations of Windows allowed for such flexibility.
Does Windows 11 support vertical taskbars?
As it stands, Microsoft appears disinclined to officially support vertical taskbars in Windows 11. During a 2022 Ask Me Anything session, Tali Roth, Microsoft’s Head of Product, acknowledged the complexities involved in allowing users to reposition the taskbar. Roth noted that moving the taskbar to the sides of the screen presents significant challenges, particularly concerning how applications would need to adapt to this change.
Interestingly, while Microsoft is one of the largest tech companies globally, Stardock’s ability to navigate these challenges raises questions about the priorities within Microsoft. Roth’s comments from 2022 suggest that the company is focusing on features that address broader user needs, rather than catering to a smaller segment of users who prefer vertical taskbars. She stated, “While we know there is a set of people that love it that way… we also recognize that this set of users is really small compared to the set of other folks that are asking for other features.”
This sentiment indicates that, although the technical feasibility of implementing a vertical taskbar exists, Microsoft has deemed it not worth the investment of time and resources given the limited demand. As users continue to explore third-party solutions like Start11, the conversation around vertical taskbars in Windows 11 remains vibrant, albeit outside the purview of Microsoft’s official offerings.
Vertical taskbars are back in Windows 11, but not from Microsoft
In a move that may delight users nostalgic for the vertical taskbars of yesteryear, Stardock has introduced a beta version of Start11 that enables this much-requested feature for Windows 11. This third-party application not only allows for the placement of a vertical taskbar on either the left or right side of the screen but also offers customization options for the Start menu, enhancing the user experience significantly.
Interest in vertical taskbars has surged, with over 55,000 views on a related Microsoft community post and thousands of comments across various platforms, including Reddit. Despite this clamoring for change, Microsoft has yet to incorporate a vertical taskbar into Windows 11. The absence of this feature has left many users questioning the decision, especially since previous iterations of Windows allowed for such flexibility.
Does Windows 11 support vertical taskbars?
As it stands, Microsoft appears disinclined to officially support vertical taskbars in Windows 11. During a 2022 Ask Me Anything session, Tali Roth, Microsoft’s Head of Product, acknowledged the complexities involved in allowing users to reposition the taskbar. Roth noted that moving the taskbar to the sides of the screen presents significant challenges, particularly concerning how applications would need to adapt to this change.
Interestingly, while Microsoft is one of the largest tech companies globally, Stardock’s ability to navigate these challenges raises questions about the priorities within Microsoft. Roth’s comments from 2022 suggest that the company is focusing on features that address broader user needs, rather than catering to a smaller segment of users who prefer vertical taskbars. She stated, “While we know there is a set of people that love it that way… we also recognize that this set of users is really small compared to the set of other folks that are asking for other features.”
This sentiment indicates that, although the technical feasibility of implementing a vertical taskbar exists, Microsoft has deemed it not worth the investment of time and resources given the limited demand. As users continue to explore third-party solutions like Start11, the conversation around vertical taskbars in Windows 11 remains vibrant, albeit outside the purview of Microsoft’s official offerings.