Windows 11 · Windows

Customize the Windows 11 taskbar

Source-checked About 10 minutes

Answer

Use Taskbar settings to control pinned apps, Search, alignment, badges, auto-hide and system-tray icons within Windows 11's supported options.

Guide steps6 steps
  1. Open Taskbar settings
  2. Choose taskbar items
  3. Set taskbar behavior
  4. Manage pins and tray icons
  5. Verify the result for the supported taskbar option
  6. Narrow down problems with the supported taskbar option
  7. If it still does not work

Open Taskbar settings

Right-click an empty taskbar area and select Taskbar settings.

Choose taskbar items

Turn Search and other available taskbar items on or off.

Set taskbar behavior

Expand Taskbar behaviors to choose alignment, badges, auto-hide and desktop-corner behavior.

Manage pins and tray icons

Right-click apps to pin or unpin them and choose which supported system-tray icons remain visible.

Verify the result for the supported taskbar option

The taskbar retains the chosen supported layout after Explorer restart and sign-in with required system and accessibility controls available.

Narrow down problems with the supported taskbar option

If an organization manages the setting, one monitor differs, a pinned shortcut is stale, or the requested legacy layout is no longer supported, stop broad resets and return to the last known state. Capture the exact error, versions, hardware or account scope, and failed step before using the linked official support channel.

Video walkthrough

If it does not work

  • If the supported taskbar option is unchanged after the documented check, return to the first observed condition and identify whether it affects one app, account, device, or every task before repeating steps.
  • If the labels differ after an update or the device is managed, retain the exact condition and use the linked owner source before removing data, resetting Windows, or installing an unrelated tool.
Sources and verification

Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.

Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.

Continue with

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