Windows 11 Is Finally Testing a Movable, Shrinkable Taskbar

Microsoft's mid-May introduction to the Windows Insider Program's Experimental Channel finally incorporates a long-desired feature: an adjustable taskbar. The update lets users move the taskbar to any edge of the screen—bottom, top, left, or right—via Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Behaviors. The taskbar maintains full functionality regardless of its position, with tooltips, flyouts, and animations adapting to its location.

Users have been demanding an adjustable taskbar ever since Windows 11 launched. While Windows 10 allowed users to drag the taskbar from edge to edge, moving it in Windows 11 requires a trip to Settings.

Microsoft is also working on something called "smaller taskbar," which, as the name suggests, maximizes screen space by reducing icon size and taskbar height. The taskbar reportedly maintains proper scaling for core elements like Start, Search, and the system tray.

Thanks to this feature, the Start menu now has two layout sizes, "Small" and "Large," which are toggled through Settings > Personalization > Start. Previously, the Start menu automatically scaled based on screen size and display resolution with no custom controls whatsoever. Now, beta users can toggle individual Start sections on or off, including the "Pinned," "Recent," and "All" sections. The update also lets users hide their name and profile picture from the Start menu.

Microsoft is targeting summer 2026 for a wider rollout of its adjustable taskbar. These changes form part of Microsoft's Windows K2 initiative, a quality improvement program focused on performance and reliability. The brand is also copying a macOS trick to make Windows 11 up to 70% smoother .