Windows 10 can move the taskbar with a built-in setting. Windows 11 removed the normal drag-to-move option, so changing taskbar position there requires a registry edit or a trusted third-party customization tool.
This guide covers Windows 10 and Windows 11 taskbar position changes.
Does This Affect You?
If you want the taskbar on the top, left, or right edge, check your Windows version first. Windows 10 supports it directly. Windows 11 keeps the taskbar at the bottom unless you use an unsupported workaround.
Move the Taskbar on Windows 10
- Right-click an empty part of the taskbar.
- If Lock the taskbar is checked, click it to unlock the taskbar.
- Click and hold an empty area of the taskbar.
- Drag it to the top, left, or right edge of the screen and release.
- Right-click the taskbar again and enable Lock the taskbar when finished.
Move the Taskbar on Windows 11 with Registry Editor
Editing the registry can affect Windows behavior. Change only the value described here and consider creating a restore point first.
- Press Windows key + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. - Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerStuckRects3. - Double-click the Settings value.
- Find the taskbar position byte, commonly the 13th two-character pair in the data row. It is usually 03 for bottom.
- Change it to 00 for left, 01 for top, or 02 for right.
- Click OK, open Task Manager, right-click Windows Explorer, and choose Restart.
Use a Third-Party Taskbar Tool
If the registry edit feels fragile, tools such as StartAllBack or ExplorerPatcher provide a settings interface for classic taskbar behavior. Download only from the official project site and remember that Windows updates can break unofficial Explorer modifications until the tool is updated.
Notes After Moving the Taskbar
Undo the Registry Change
Repeat the registry steps and change the value back to 03, then restart Windows Explorer.
Multiple Monitors
On Windows 11, the registry position generally affects the main taskbar. Secondary taskbars may remain bottom-only.
Some Flyouts May Look Odd
Windows 11 menus and jump lists were designed around a bottom taskbar, so side or top positions can produce cosmetic quirks.
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Customize the taskbar in Windows
- Microsoft Learn: Windows Registry editor overview
- Microsoft Support: Taskbar settings in Windows 11