Windows 11 taskbar is movable, but Start menu doesn't

Image credit: Microsoft

The biggest and most annoying change to Windows 11 is its new taskbar. The redesigned taskbar is now based on XAML, which supports WinUI and Fluent to create UI elements for any app, including UWP and .NET.

The redesign brings a modern feel to the taskbar, and XAML integration may lead to better future performance as Microsoft plans to separate the shell from the rest of Windows elements. Still, it's too limited in terms of functionality compared to the taskbar in any version of Windows, including Windows 10, 8, or 7.

As you may already know, Windows 11’s taskbar is locked at the bottom of the desktop and users cannot move it to the right, left, or top. Some people prefer having the taskbar pinned to the top because it allows them to easily switch between applications, especially web browsers since they have tab strips at the top.

The Windows 11 taskbar can be moved to the top with a small change to the operating system's registry, but elements like the Start Menu, Windows Search, or Task View don't support this orientation.

Taskbar pinned to the top of the Windows 11 desktop

As you can see in the GIF above, the taskbar looks like it when pinned to the top of the desktop Not bad, but animation doesn't support it.

Of course, a future update might give you the option to move the taskbar, but a removable taskbar isn't on the company's priority list. In a Windows Insider webcast, Microsoft explained that it doesn't think features like the "removable taskbar" are important and that there's more work to be done.

Microsoft officials stated that the Windows 11 Start menu cannot handle different taskbar positions. A lot of work had to be done to make the different taskbar positions work with other elements. For example, the Microsoft development team said, "Suddenly, all reflows and work on apps or Start menus must be done..." Not supported.

Microsoft is prioritizing adding features such as the ability to end processes directly from the taskbar, system tray clock seconds support or drag and drop, which are enabled in the operating system in Windows 11 22H2.

The last Windows 11 update tweaked the taskbar and added backward drag-and-drop support, but users still complained that it was too restrictive and the ability to ungroup apps/icons was still missing.

The taskbar is slowly getting better

While the Windows 11 taskbar is missing some important and useful features that people have used for decades, it's also gaining new features. For example, the Windows 11 22H2 Moment 2 update adds a tablet-optimized taskbar, allowing users to try out folded and expanded modes on their tablet or 2-in-1 device.

The above is the detailed content of Windows 11 taskbar is movable, but Start menu doesn't. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!