How to Put the Taskbar on the Bottom Left in Windows 11

Lee Stanton July 23, 2023

If you’ve recently upgraded from Windows 10 or have Windows 11, you’ve noticed that the taskbar’s default position is at the bottom but center-aligned.

This is a deviation from all previous versions of Windows and might not be something you like or want to use. However, the good news is that Windows 11 allows aligning the taskbar to the bottom left region.

Note: You cannot move the Windows 11 Taskbar to the left side of the screen—only to the left on the bottom, like in previous versions of Windows.

How to Move Taskbar Icons to Bottom Left in Windows 11

If you’re not happy with the default placement of the Windows 11 taskbar, you can quickly move it to the left side along the bottom. Note that there is no way to place it on the left side of the screen—only along the bottom.
Regardless, the process is an incredibly straightforward task. All you need to do is follow these steps:

Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar.
Select “Taskbar settings” from the menu.
A new window will launch. Scroll down to the “Taskbar behaviors” section.
Expand the section and select the “Taskbar alignment” option.
Select “Left” from the menu.

Your taskbar will automatically move from the bottom center to the bottom left, and the opened Start Menu will appear on the bottom left.

Also, you can adjust toolbar placement by going through “Settings” from the Start menu if preferred. Here’s how:

Go to the Start menu and select “Settings.”
Select “Personalization” from the left-side pane.
Click “Taskbar screen.”
Select “Taskbar behaviors,” followed by “Taskbar alignment.”
Choose “Left” and exit “Settings.”

Again, the taskbar will move instantly, and you can continue using it as usual. Keep in mind that you can always reverse this setting by choosing “Center” instead of “Left” from the “Taskbar behaviors.”

How to Hide Taskbar in Windows 11

Even if you’ve put the taskbar where you want it, you might not always like it there. In that scenario, you can easily hide it and hover over the area to bring it up.

The taskbar will still be there but stay “invisible.” It will pop up from the bottom of the screen when you hover over the area or press the Win key on your keyboard.

This can be a convenient solution if you’re using a smaller laptop and need all the desktop space you can get.

Here’s how you can hide the taskbar in Windows 11:

Navigate the cursor to an empty taskbar section, then right-click it.
Select “Taskbar settings.”
Under “Taskbar behavior,” check the “Automatically hide the taskbar” box.

Your desktop space will expand as the taskbar becomes hidden. If this feature is no longer necessary, uncheck the “Automatically hide the taskbar” box.

How to Pin Taskbar Apps in Windows 11

A well-organized desktop offers many benefits. Aside from having an easier time finding what you’re looking for, it can positively impact overall productivity.

Choosing which Windows 11 apps to pin to the taskbar can save time and make you more efficient. Here’s how to pin an app to your taskbar in Windows 11:

Click the Start button and select the “All Apps” option.
Right-click on the app you want to pin.
Select “Pin to taskbar” from the menu.

Alternatively, you can right-click on the app desktop shortcut and select “Pin to taskbar.” Either way. The pinned app will appear on the taskbar instantly, and you can quickly launch it.

Additional FAQs

Can you move the taskbar to the right or left in Windows 11?

The quick answer is no, you can’t move the TaskBar to the left or right side of the screen. Again, this might confuse new Windows 11 users, especially if they’ve been using Windows 10.

The developers have overhauled the taskbar in the latest Windows version. In the process, they have removed the option to move the Windows taskbar at the top of the screen or place it horizontally to the left or right side.

In Windows 11, the taskbar can only be at the bottom. However, You can still change the alignment from center to left and vice versa.

Can you rearrange pinned taskbar apps in Windows 11?

Yes, you can. While the Windows 11 taskbar changes are substantial, this straightforward option has remained. You can click and drag any app from the taskbar and rearrange it to your preference.

Can you change the color of the taskbar in Windows 11?

Yes, you can change the TaskBar color in Windows 11. The option is in the “Personalization” section within the main “Settings” menu. From there, follow these two steps:

1. Scroll down until you find the “Colors” tile and select the “Accent color” option.

2. Check the “Show accent color on Start and taskbar” box.

By doing this, your taskbar will adjust to the color of your Windows 11 theme.

Managing Windows 11 Taskbar With Ease

Moving the taskbar on the left side in Windows 11 is a straightforward process. There are only two taskbar alignment options, at least for now.

However, you can utilize other taskbar settings and ensure it works to your advantage. Choosing which apps to pin to the taskbar and how to arrange them is essential for every Windows user.

But also, you can hide the taskbar if you need more desktop space and change its color for more customization.