Apart from the start menu, the default taskbar received the biggest overhaul with the Windows 11 update. While the initial implementation left a lot to desire, Microsoft improved the default taskbar with new features with the following updates. Here are the best Windows 11 taskbar tips and tricks.
1. Personalize Taskbar Items
The default Windows 11 taskbar comes with a Search icon, a shortcut to switch between multiple desktops, widgets, and Microsoft Teams-powered Chat. When you add several apps and folders to the taskbar, it can get crowded in no time. You can disable irrelevant options from the taskbar using the tricks below.
Step 1: Press Windows + I keys to open the Windows Settings menu.
Step 2: Select Personalization from the sidebar and open Taskbar.
Step 3: Hide irrelevant buttons that appear on the taskbar.
2. Customize System Tray Icons
A high number of system tray icons can distract you sometimes. Microsoft lets you choose which icons can appear in the system tray. Here’s how.
Step 1: Right-click on the taskbar and open Taskbar settings.
Step 2: Check the System tray icons menu and disable the Pen menu, Touch keyboard, and Virtual touchpad.
Step 3: You can expand the Other system tray icons menu and disable irrelevant apps and services showing up.
3. Change Taskbar Alignment
Microsoft changed the taskbar alignment from left to center with the Windows 11 update. But due to muscle memory, you may prefer the original place to access the start menu and apps. Follow the steps below to change the taskbar alignment on your Windows PC.
Step 1: Open the taskbar in Windows Settings (refer to the steps above).
Step 2: Expand the Taskbar behaviors menu and expand ‘Taskbar alignment’.
Step 3: Select Left and move your taskbar to a familiar position.
4. Automatically Hide Taskbar
If you want to work more on screen real estate, you can automatically hide the taskbar on your PC. Here’s how.
Step 1: Head to the taskbar in Windows Settings (check the steps above).
Step 2: Expand the ‘Taskbar behaviors’ menu.
Step 3: Enable the checkmark beside ‘Automatically hide the taskbar’.
5. Change the Taskbar Color
Windows 11 lets you customize the taskbar color from the Settings menu. Go through the steps below to make changes.
Step 1: Press Windows + I keys to open the Settings menu.
Step 2: Select Personalization from the left sidebar.
Step 3: Open the Colors menu. Expand the ‘Choose your mode’ menu and select Custom.
Step 4: Select Dark theme for Windows.
Step 5: Pick an Accent color and enable the ‘Show accent color on Start and taskbar’ toggle.
6. Change Taskbar Size
There is no way to change the taskbar size from the Windows Settings menu. You need to make changes from the Registry Editor. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Registry Editor. Hit Enter to open the app.
Step 2: Move to the following path.
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Step 3: Right-click on the empty space and select New > DWORD (320bit) value.
Step 4: Enter ‘TaskbarSi’ in the Value name and move to the Value data menu.
Step 5: Enter 0 for a small taskbar, 1 for a medium, and 2 for a large size.
Step 6: Click Ok, and you are good to go.
If you don’t see the Taskbar size change, move to the Task Manager and restart the Windows Explorer service.
7. Pin Apps and Webpages to the Taskbar
You can easily place your frequently used apps and websites on the Windows taskbar. Here’s how.
Step 1: Open the Start menu and select All apps.
Step 2: Right-click on an app and expand the More menu.
Step 3: Select ‘Pin to taskbar’, and the app will appear at the bottom for easy access.
Go through the steps below to pin webpages on Windows 11 taskbar.
Step 1: Visit your preferred website on Microsoft Edge.
Step 2: Select the kebab menu in the top right corner and expand More tools.
Step 3: Select ‘Pin to taskbar’ for quick access.
8. Show Notification Badges on Taskbar
Notification badges on the taskbar can distract you at times. You can easily disable notification badges from the taskbar.
Step 1: Open Taskbar in Windows 11 Settings (check the steps above).
Step 2: Expand the Taskbar behaviors menu and disable the ‘Show badges on taskbar apps’ menu.
9. Enable Taskbar on All External Displays
Do you use a Windows PC or laptop with external displays? You can easily show or hide your taskbar from the connected monitor.
Step 1: Expand taskbar behavior in the Windows 11 Settings (check the steps above).
Step 2: Enable the ‘Show my taskbar on all displays’.
Use Windows Taskbar Like a Pro
It’s good to see Microsoft improving the Windows 11 taskbar with frequent updates. We can’t wait to see future add-ons to the default taskbar.
