- Microsoft reportedly plans to restore the ability to move and resize the Taskbar in Windows 11 in 2026.
- Users have long criticized the operating system for reduced customization and forced interface changes.
- The move is described as part of a broader effort to improve Windows 11’s public perception.
After years of ignoring one of the most consistent complaints about Windows 11, Microsoft is reportedly preparing to restore the ability to move and resize the Taskbar. Yes, the same feature that existed for decades before being stripped away in the name of “modern design.”
According to a new report from Windows Central, the company plans to reintroduce the ability to relocate the Taskbar in 2026 as part of a broader effort to improve sentiment around the operating system. The wording is telling. This is not about innovation. It is about damage control.
A feature that never needed fixing
When Windows 11 launched back in 2021, Microsoft removed several long-standing customization options from the Taskbar. Users could no longer drag it to the top or sides of the screen. Resizing behavior was restricted. Power users who relied on vertical Taskbars for ultrawide displays or productivity setups were simply out of luck.
The justification at the time centered on rebuilding the Taskbar from scratch. The result was a cleaner interface, but also a less capable one. For many users, it felt like a downgrade disguised as progress, and they had to resort to workarounds to mimic the missing features.
Now, years later, Microsoft appears ready to reverse course.
Improving sentiment, one feature at a time
The report indicates that restoring the ability to move the Taskbar to the top or sides of the screen, along with support for resizing it, is part of a broader effort to repair Windows 11’s public image.
Since its launch, the operating system has faced persistent criticism over forced interface changes, reduced customization, aggressive promotion of services and AI features, and a series of design decisions that many users viewed as regressions rather than improvements.
Instead of bold new features, Microsoft seems to be focused on restoring basic functionality that users already had on Windows 10.
Crumbs or course correction?
Microsoft restoring these previously available Taskbar features will undoubtedly be welcomed. For many, it’s a small but meaningful win. However, it also raises a bigger question: why did it take this long?
Windows 11 has gradually been regaining features it originally lacked at launch. Each restoration feels less like innovation and more like restitution. Users are not asking for radical redesigns. They are asking for flexibility, control, and respect for established workflows.
If the company’s strategy is to improve sentiment, restoring essential customization options to users is a logical start. The real test will be whether this marks a genuine shift in philosophy or simply a slow drip of concessions to offset years of unpopular changes.
For now, the message is clear. Windows 11 may finally be getting back a feature it never should have lost.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 22 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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