How to move Taskbar to top or side on Windows 11

• Windows 11 brings back Taskbar positioning after years of users’ complaints with the September 2026 update for version 25H2 and later releases.
• Microsoft originally redesigned the Taskbar and removed native support for position changes due to design complexity and low demand, forcing users to rely on third-party tools such as WindHawk, ExplorerPatcher, or Start11.

Windows 11 introduced a redesigned Taskbar with a centered Start button and app icons, a modernized notification area, updated animations, and new visual effects. While the refreshed design gives the desktop a more modern appearance, Microsoft initially removed several customization options that had been available for years, including the ability to move the Taskbar to the top, left, or right side of the screen.

That is now changing. Starting with the Windows 11 September 2026 update, the company is making native Taskbar positioning settings available, allowing you to choose where the Taskbar appears on the screen without relying on third-party tools or registry workarounds.

The new setting lets you move the Taskbar from its default bottom position to the top, left, or right side of the display. The change is part of Microsoft’s broader Windows K2 effort to restore customization options in the operating system while continuing to modernize the desktop experience.

The Taskbar positioning feature was previously being tested in preview builds of Windows 11 as part of Microsoft’s Experimental experience. Microsoft has since brought the option to the stable version of the operating system with the September update.

If you prefer having the Taskbar at the top of the screen, or you are coming from an older version of Windows where moving it was possible, you can now change its position directly from Settings. The option is available under Taskbar behavior settings and doesn’t require additional software or unsupported workarounds.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to change the Taskbar position to the different sides of the screen on Windows 11. 

• Move Taskbar to top with Settings
• Move Taskbar to top with WindHawk tool
• Move Taskbar to top with ExplorerPatcher tool

Move Taskbar to top with Settings

Starting with the September 2026 Security Update, Windows 11 restores the ability to move the Taskbar to the top, left, right, and bottom edges.

If the new Taskbar positioning settings aren’t available after installing the September 2026 update, you may still be able to force-enable the feature using ViveTool.

To position the Taskbar at the top of the screen on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Personalization.

3. Click the Taskbar page.

4. Click the Taskbar behaviors settings.

5. Select the Taskbar position, including Left, Top, Right, or Bottom.

   

6. (Optional) Select the Small option in the “Taskbar size” setting to make the Taskbar and icons smaller.

After you complete the steps, the Taskbar will appear in the position you selected.

Move Taskbar to top with WindHawk tool

Windhawk is an open-source project that makes it easier to modify application and operating system behavior. This solution requires installing the application, then installing the extension to make the change. In this case, you’d have to use the “Taskbar on top for Windows 11” extension.

To install Windhawk on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to install Windhawk and press Enter:

   winget install --id RamenSoftware.Windhawk

   

4. Open the Windhawk app from the Start menu.

5. Click the Explore button in the top-right corner.

6. Search for “Taskbar on top for Windows 11” and click the Details button.

   

7. Click the Install button.

   

8. Click the “Accept Risk and Install” button.

Once you complete the steps, the mod will install and activate automatically, placing the Taskbar at the top of the screen. However, the Start menu will continue to open from the bottom up, and Notification Center will stay at the bottom.

It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s one of the best implementations for those who miss the option to place the Taskbar at the top of the screen.

To revert the changes, click the “Disable” button in the “Taskbar on top for Windows 11” extension, then click the “Uninstall” button (if necessary).

Move Taskbar to top with ExplorerPatcher tool

Alternatively, if you can’t use the Registry settings, you may be able to use third-party tools to move the Taskbar to the top of the screen. For example, ExplorerPatcher is a free tool that restores the classic Taskbar design and legacy features, such as changing the bar position. It’s not a perfect solution, but this might be the best free option if you want to reposition the Taskbar.

To move the Taskbar to the top of the screen with ExplorerPatcher, follow these steps:

1. Open the ExplorerPatcher GitHub page.

2. Under the “Assets” section, click the ep_setup.exe link to download the app.

   

   Quick note: The browser may complain that the software is untrusted, but this is only because the app makes system changes. Although the app works as advertised, use it at your own risk.

3. Confirm you want to keep the file in the web browser (if applicable).

4. Double-click the file to install the app.

5. Right-click the Taskbar and select the Properties option.

6. Click on Taskbar from the left pane.

7. Select the “Windows 10” option from the “Taskbar style” setting.

8. Use the “Primary taskbar location on screen” setting and select the Top option to move the Taskbar to the top of the screen. (You also have the option to move it to the left or right side.)

   

9. (Optional) Use the “Start button style” setting and select the “Windows 11” option.

10. (Optional) Use the “Combine taskbar icons on the primary taskbar” setting and select the Always combine option.

11. Click on Start menu from the left pane.

12. Select the “Windows 11” option from the “Start menu style” setting.

    

13. Click the Restart File Explorer option in the bottom-left corner (if you don’t see the changes).

After you complete the steps, you can start using the Taskbar from the top of the screen.

It’s important to note that the ExplorerPatcher app sometimes breaks due to Microsoft operating system changes. However, the developer usually resolves the issues promptly.

Update August 20, 2026: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.