In this guide, we'll show you a few steps to customize the taskbar in Windows 11 to look like the one in Windows 10.
One of the most talked about changes in Windows 11, is the change in the appearance of the taskbar. This is because the Windows 11 taskbar has been repositioned and is now in the center (just like in macOS), and is not as configurable as it was in Windows 10. The Windows 11 taskbar is also six pixels taller than its predecessor in Windows 10 and also includes new buttons for Search, Task View, Widgets and Chat.
However, the good news is that you can customize the taskbar in the new Windows OS according to your preferences. Listed below are several easy steps of doing so. Let’s get started!
How to Customize Windows 11 Taskbar (Alignment, Colors, Apps, Size, etc.)
Step 1. Change Taskbar Alignment.
In Windows 11, you can customize the alignment of the taskbar and to specify whether you want to show or hide the notification badges. To do that:
1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
2. In the newly launched window, scroll down and expand Taskbar behaviors.
3. Change Taskbar alignment from Center to Left. *
* Note: In "Taskbar behaviors" settings, you can also change choose to Hide the taskbar and if you want to Show badges when some activity is happening. (For example, how many unread messages you have).
Step 2. Customize Taskbar Items.
1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
2. Expand Taskbar items.
3. Turn On or Off the available buttons that appear on the taskbar.
Step 3. Customize Taskbar Corner Items.
If you are a Microsoft Surface device user or own a PC with a touch screen, you can enhance your user experience by enabling several features like the virtual touchpad, pen menu, and touch keyboard. To do that:
1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
2. Expand Taskbar corner items.
3. Turn On the features you want, to force Windows 11 to display an icon for the enabled feature(s) on the right corner.
Step 4. Customize Taskbar Corner Icons Overflow.
To customize which other system or apps icons will always appear in the taskbar corner:
1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
2. Expand Taskbar corner overflow.
3. Here you can choose which icons you want to always be visible in the right corner of the taskbar. (all others will be displayed in the taskbar overflow menu).
Step 5. Add or Remove Apps to Windows 11 Taskbar or Start menu.
The Windows 11 taskbar has eight icons by default. Fortunately, you pin more or remove any of them, as in previous versions of Windows.
To Pin an App in Windows 11 Taskbar.
1. Click the Search icon and type the name of the app that you want to pin on Taskbar. 2. Select the App in the results and click Pin to Taskbar. *
* Note: If you want to pin a running app, right-click on its icon on the taskbar and select "Pin to taskbar".
To Unpin an App from Windows 11 Taskbar.
1. Right-click on the app you want to unpin and select Unpin from taskbar.
Step 6. Change Taskbar Color.
To change the taskbar color in Windows 11:
1. Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open Windows Settings, or click Start and then Settings.
2. Select Personalization from the left pane and then click on Colors in the right window.
3. Change Choose your mode to Dark *
* Note: Unfortunately you cannot change the Taskbar color in Windows 11, while in "Light" Mode.
4a. Now, expand the Accent color option and select Manual.
4b. Choose the color you want for your taskbar.
4c. Toggle the Show accent color on Start and Taskbar to On.
Step 7. Resize Taskbar Height & Icons Size.
If you want to modify the height of the Windows 11 taskbar and the size of the taskbar icons in Windows 11.
1. Press Windows + R keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open a Run dialogue box.
2. Type regedit in the text field and hit Enter to open Windows Registry.
3. In Windows Registry, navigate to the location mentioned below.
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
4. With the Advanced key selected, right-click anywhere in the right pane and select the New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value option.
5. Rename this newly created value as TaskbarSi and hit Enter.
6. Now double-click on TaskbarSi and set the Value data according your choice: *
- For Small taskbar & icons, set the TaskbarSi value to 0
- For Default taskbar & icons size, set the TaskbarSi value 1
- For Large taskbar & icons, set the TaskbarSi value 2
* For example: To decrease the taskbar and icons size in Windows 11, set the "TaskbarSi" REG_DWORD value in the above-mentioned registry location to "0".
(Default Windows 11 Taskbar Size) (Small Taskbar Size in Windows 11)
7. Once done, restart your PC to apply the changes.
That’s it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.