Five years later, Windows 11 brings back much-missed taskbar options (and more)

Source: Ars Technica

Background

When Windows 11 launched in 2021, its refreshed look—rounded corners and menus with a hint of translucency—was generally well‑received compared to the flat colors and hard corners of the Windows 8/10 era. However, the reformulated taskbar and Start menu introduced several functional regressions relative to Windows 10. Some of those issues were addressed quickly; others have persisted.

New Insider Preview Build

A recent Windows Insider Preview build released to testers brings a new wave of improvements that fix longstanding regressions while experimenting with new features.

Taskbar Docking Improvements

• The Windows 11 taskbar can now be docked to any edge of the screen, including the left and right sides.
• This restores functionality that was available in Windows 10 and earlier versions but missing from Windows 11 since its launch.
• Users can configure slightly different taskbar behavior for each position. For example, you can set a different icon alignment, label style, or grouping option for a left‑ or right‑mounted taskbar versus a top‑ or bottom‑mounted one, and Windows will remember those settings per position.

Remaining Limitations

• The taskbar does not auto‑hide in any of the alternate positions.
• The “tablet‑optimized taskbar” with larger, finger‑friendly icons and spacing is not yet supported.
• Touch gestures and the Search box are also unavailable in the new positions.
• Microsoft has indicated that these features are planned for a future update.
• Additional features under evaluation include different taskbar positions per monitor for multi‑monitor setups.