Do you love having your taskbar on the left or right side of the screen instead of the bottom? You’re not alone! Windows 11 changed some things and made it tricky to move it around like you could in Windows 10. But don’t worry — we’ve got your back. In this guide, you’ll learn how to put your taskbar vertically on the left or right side!
TL;DR
Windows 11 doesn’t let you move the taskbar to the left or right side by default. But you can still do it with a little tweak using something called the Registry Editor. It’s not hard if you follow the steps carefully. You can also use third-party apps if messing with the Registry isn’t your thing.
Why Would You Want a Vertical Taskbar?
Some people prefer a vertical screen layout. Especially if you use widescreens, it makes better use of the horizontal space. When you stack your taskbar on the left or right, you free up more vertical space for work or browsing.
Others just like the aesthetic. That’s fair too!
What You Need to Know First
Microsoft doesn’t currently support moving the Windows 11 taskbar to the sides. That means you have to use a workaround. These steps involve editing the Windows Registry, which stores important system settings.
Warning: Be careful. Editing the Registry can be risky if you don’t follow the directions exactly.
Let’s dive in!
Step-by-Step: Move Taskbar Vertically via Registry Editor
- Hit Windows Key + R to open Run.
- Type regedit and hit Enter. The Registry Editor will open.
- Navigate to this section:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3 - Double-click the value called Settings. It’s a binary value. A scary-looking window will open, full of numbers.
- Look at the 00000008 row, and the second column to the right (this is the 5th byte overall). This little number controls taskbar position!
- Change its value:
- 00 = Bottom
- 01 = Left
- 02 = Top
- 03 = Right
So to move the taskbar to the left, change it to 01. To the right, change it to 03.
Click OK. Close the Registry Editor.
Now you need to restart Windows Explorer so the change takes effect.
Restarting Windows Explorer
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Scroll down until you find Windows Explorer in the list.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
Ta-da! Your taskbar should now be vertical!
Limitations of This Hack
Let’s be honest. This trick isn’t perfect.
- Your pinned icons might not line up right.
- The Start menu might still open from the bottom.
- Realignment can be glitchy.
Why? Because Microsoft didn’t fully finish vertical support. It’s a half-baked feature under the hood.
Alternative: Use a Third-Party Tool
If editing the Registry is not your thing, there are tools that can mimic the classic taskbar experience and give you back control.
Popular Tools:
- StartAllBack: Lets you move the taskbar and even bring back old Start menus.
- ExplorerPatcher: Free and open-source, it brings back classic Windows behaviors.
- TaskbarX: Great for customizing taskbar layout and animations.
These are safer and easier for many users. Plus, they let you tweak other stuff too!
How to Use StartAllBack
- Go to the StartAllBack website and download the installer.
- Run the installer. It sets itself up automatically.
- Open the StartAllBack config panel.
- Go to the Taskbar tab, and you’ll see options for positioning — including left and right!
- Pick your position, hit Apply, and enjoy.
This tool is paid, but has a free trial. Worth a try if you want a stable, bug-free setup.
Tips for Vertical Taskbar Life
- Use small icons to save space.
- Turn off unnecessary widgets and system tray icons.
- Pin only your must-have apps to stay organized.
- Group related apps together for quick launching.
Pro tip: If you have multiple monitors, you can use one taskbar per screen and stack them in different places!
When Will Microsoft Add Official Support?
Many users have asked this question since the launch of Windows 11. So far, Microsoft hasn’t made any promises.
There’s hope, though. People in the Windows Insider Program occasionally spot hints of vertical taskbar rework. So maybe… someday?
Wrap Up
Windows 11 wasn’t made for a vertical taskbar — but fans of the feature can still make it work. Whether you want to dive into the Registry or take the easy route with an app like StartAllBack, you’ve got options.
It’s your setup, your screen, your vibes.
So go ahead — stack that taskbar on the side and show Windows who’s boss!
