Last Updated on March 11, 2026
Depending on who you ask, Windows 11 is a vast improvement over Windows 10, but there are still many ways that Windows 11 still fails to compare to Windows 10 in terms of functionality and customization.
One of the biggest complaints about Windows 11 is the lack of customization when it comes to the taskbar. With Windows 10, we were able to move it wherever we liked on the screen so if you wanted to move the taskbar to the top or side of your monitor, all you needed to was drag and drop it assuming it was unlocked. We also had many other options for menus etc. when right clicking on the taskbar. In this article, we will be showing you how to move the taskbar to the top of the screen in Windows 11.
**Update**
We will soon be able to move the Windows 11 taskbar to the left, right and top of the screen with no third party apps as seen in this article.
Installing the Windhawk Application
1. Download the Customization Software
As of this writing, there is no way to move the taskbar to the top or side of the screen built into Windows so we will be using a free app called Windhawk. This tool allows you to install custom “mods” as they are called that let you customize and tweak how Windows looks and functions. Download the installer directly from their official website and run the setup file.
2. Search for the Taskbar Mod
Once you install Windhawk, all you need to do is go to the Explore section. Do a search for Taskbar on top for Windows 11 in the top search bar. Then you can click on the Details button to view the specific modification page.
3. Install the Modification
Click on the blue Install button to inject the code into your system. Once you have the mod installed, you can enable or disable it as needed. You can even remove it entirely if you do not want to use it any longer.
Configuring the Taskbar Position
1. Open the Mod Settings
Most Windhawk mods have configuration options that you can get to by clicking on the Settings section. For this mod you only have the option to change the taskbar to the top or bottom. You can also change the taskbar position independently for your primary and secondary monitor.
2. Apply and Save Your Changes
Once you make a change, you will need to click on the Save settings button to have it applied. The Windows interface will refresh automatically. Your taskbar will immediately jump to the top of your display.
3. Test the Start Menu
As you can see in the image below, now the taskbar is at the top of the screen. When you click on the start button, it will still pop up from the bottom of the screen facing the right direction. Microsoft hardcoded the Start Menu animation to always rise from the bottom edge.
4. Verify System Tray Flyouts
When you do things such as change your volume or hover over open programs in the taskbar, they will still show up from the taskbar itself. The thumbnail previews drop down perfectly from the top edge. The calendar and notification center also function flawlessly in this new position.
Restoring the Default Taskbar Location
1. Reset the Position Before Uninstalling
If you do decide to disable or uninstall the Taskbar on top for Windows 11 mod, you must revert your settings first. You might want to place the taskbar back on the bottom and save it before doing so to avoid any potential issues. Deleting the mod while the taskbar is at the top can sometimes cause graphical glitches.
2. Explore Other Customizations
The free Windhawk software can be downloaded from their website. If you are looking for a way to move the Windows taskbar to the side of the screen rather than the top as well as adjust its width, then check out this article.. You have total control over your desktop layout.
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