Taskbar changes coming to Windows 11 26H2 – position, sizing, and more

• Microsoft is restoring Taskbar customization options in Windows 11 as part of the Windows K2 initiative.
• Windows 11 26H2 will allow users to move the Taskbar to the top, left, right, or bottom of the screen.
• Windows 11 is adding a smaller Taskbar size option to save screen space on compact devices.

As part of the Windows K2 initiative, Microsoft is focusing on fixing some of the biggest pain points in Windows 11, including performance, craft, and reliability. Under the craft pillar, which focuses on usability and design improvements, the company is restoring and refining some long-requested features across the operating system, including the Taskbar and Start menu.

For the Taskbar, Microsoft is bringing back the ability to change its position and adjust its size, two customization options that disappeared with the original release of Windows 11.

Although this guide focuses on the Taskbar improvements coming to Windows 11 26H2, these changes are not exclusive to the next feature update. Windows 11 26H2 shares the same core platform as versions 25H2 and 24H2, meaning many of the new features and improvements will also arrive on existing versions through monthly updates. Microsoft has already started rolling out several K2-related changes through preview and optional updates.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the Taskbar improvements coming to Windows 11 and explain what’s changing and when you can expect these features to become available.

What’s new with the Taskbar on Windows 11 26H2

On Windows 11, one of the biggest Taskbar improvements arriving in 2026 is the return of the ability to change its position. The new option allows users to place the Taskbar at the top, left, right, or bottom of the screen.

Although Microsoft may present this as a new feature, longtime Windows users know that isn’t entirely accurate. The operating system supported Taskbar positioning for many years before Microsoft removed the functionality with the launch of Windows 11.

After years of user feedback, Microsoft is bringing back Taskbar positioning, but the implementation is slightly different from what users had available on Windows 10. Previously, users could change the Taskbar location from the Settings app or simply unlock it and drag it to another position on the screen.

On Windows 11, users will need to manually select the location from the new “Taskbar position” setting under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.

According to Microsoft, flyouts, tooltips, and animations will continue to originate from the Taskbar regardless of where it is positioned. Most existing customization options, including smaller Taskbar buttons and the “Never combine taskbar buttons” option, will also continue to work across supported layouts.

Windows 11 is also adding a smaller Taskbar mode designed to reclaim screen space, especially on compact laptops and tablets. The option is available through a new dedicated “Taskbar size” setting under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.

While the new smaller Taskbar option essentially brings back the ability to reduce the size of the Taskbar and icons, one important customization option is still missing, which is the ability to make the Taskbar larger.

In previous versions of Windows, users could resize the Taskbar by dragging its edge, allowing them to create additional space for more rows of icons or larger buttons. That capability has not returned with this update.

It’s also worth noting that the “Show smaller app icons” option remains available for users who only want to reduce icon size without changing the overall Taskbar height. However, if you enable the new smaller Taskbar size option, Windows 11 will no longer allow you to adjust the icon size independently.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I see these Taskbar changes as a good example of Microsoft correcting course with Windows 11. The company made a lot of design decisions when it introduced the operating system that prioritized simplicity. However, some of those choices also removed flexibility that longtime users depended on.

Bringing back Taskbar positioning is a welcome change because it gives users more control over how they work. Not everyone uses the operating system the same way, and something as basic as choosing where the Taskbar sits can make a difference, especially for people with ultrawide monitors, touch devices, or specific workflows.

I do think Microsoft still has more work to do. Restoring the ability to move and shrink the Taskbar is a step in the right direction, but removing the option to make it larger means this isn’t a complete return to the customization options Windows users had before. Over the years, I’ve seen the company slowly bring back features after realizing that taking away choice doesn’t always create a better experience.

Overall, I’m glad to see the company listening to feedback and focusing on these smaller usability improvements. They may not be headline features, but they are the types of changes that make Windows 11 feel more personal and less restrictive. 

What are your thoughts about these new Taskbar changes on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.