Microsoft is reinducing its tablet-friendly taskbar in the newest preview of Windows 11. The taskbar was first introduced in February with other unique attributes for eventual rollout in Windows 11.
However, it was later removed for more internal development. Microsoft said the taskbar is a portion of an update rolling out to Windows Insiders in the developer channel and is only open for PCs that can be used as tablets like 2-in-1s, not laptops or desktop PCs.
The taskbar is planned to be hidden when a tablet user isn’t using it, permitting more required screen space. When it’s collapsed, it shows “critical” things, like the time and battery percentage. It displays various widgets, apps, and the Start button when expanded. It looks more appropriate for touch while in use.
The taskbar is designed to yield its optimized position when disconnected or while the keyboard is folded back on a 2-in-1 device.
Microsoft is also rolling out other features that work on non-2-in-1 devices in its latest update, specifically to its System Tray. The newest update brings animated icons and illustrations to its Settings app by adding them to its sidebar when you hover over the options in the menu. These updates include bug fixes to the Settings, Widgets, Task Manager, and Windowing.
Place Left-Align Taskbar App Icons in Windows 11
- You can fast bring the essence of Windows 10 back to the Windows 11 taskbar by left-placing the app icons.
- Begin by right-clicking on the taskbar and choosing Taskbar settings. Select Taskbar behaviors and adjust Taskbar alignment to Left.
Hide or Show Default Taskbar Entities on Windows 11
- Windows 11’s taskbar has some articles pinned to it by default. For example, you might find the Search key useless in most cases since searching the Start menu offers you the same results. You can hide these articles from taskbar settings.
- Right-tap on the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings. You’ll discover four taskbar items at the top: widgets, search, task view, and chat. All items except “chat” (a Microsoft Teams shortcut) are enabled by default. You can hide the things enabled by default by turning the toggle next to their names off.
Modify Windows 11’s Taskbar Color
The taskbar’s color relies on the theme you choose for Windows, i.e., dark or light. However, you can show your taskbar pretty much any color.
- Push Win + I to launch Settings and navigate to Personalization > Colors. Choose Custom next to Choose your mode and pick Dark next to the Choose your default Windows mode alternative.
- Scroll to the base of the screen and switch on the key next to Show accent color on Start and taskbar. Then, choose a color for your taskbar.
Choose the Apps You Desire in the Windows 11 Taskbar Corner
The right-hand ending of your taskbar houses apps running, even though a separate window may not be open for it, with other standard system tray icons like Wi-Fi and sound settings. There’s also a tiny arrow next to those apps, revealing more apps in a smaller menu that pops out at the top. This menu is named the taskbar corner overflow.
- If you want some apps to appear in the taskbar corner, preferably than the taskbar corner overflow for more comfortable access, you can modify that from the Taskbar settings.
- Right-tap on the taskbar to select Taskbar settings, and then Scroll to the bottom of the screen to choose Taskbar corner overflow. Select all apps you like to keep on the taskbar corner. All unselected apps will be moved into the taskbar corner surge.