Microsoft appears to be getting ready to roll out one of the most welcome Windows 11 interface updates in years.
After months of testing with Windows Insiders, the company is moving its redesigned Windows 11 Taskbar and Start menu closer to a public release. The latest developments suggest that users could start seeing these long-requested customization options on regular Windows 11 PCs in the coming weeks.
And yes, the change many Windows users have been asking for is finally happening: the Windows 11 Taskbar can move away from the bottom of the screen.
Windows 11 Taskbar is finally becoming more customizable
One of the biggest complaints about Windows 11 since its launch has been the lack of Taskbar flexibility.
Unlike older versions of Windows, Windows 11 initially restricted the Taskbar to the bottom of the screen. Microsoft is now changing that.
The company has been testing a new movable Taskbar that can be positioned along the top, left, right, or bottom edge of the display. Microsoft says the experience is designed to preserve familiar Taskbar behavior even when it is moved to a different position.
That is a particularly significant change for longtime Windows users who preferred having the Taskbar at the top or along the side of the screen.
Microsoft is also introducing a smaller Taskbar option. This reduces the height of the Taskbar and scales down its icons, giving users more usable screen space. The option could be especially useful on laptops and smaller displays where every pixel matters.
You will have more control over Taskbar size
The new Taskbar experience isn’t just about moving it around.
Microsoft has also been refining how users change its size. A dedicated Taskbar Size setting has been introduced during testing, making the customization easier to discover and use.
For users who have complained that Windows 11 sometimes feels overly restrictive compared with previous Windows versions, this is a meaningful step in the right direction.
The Windows 11 Start menu is getting a major makeover too
The Taskbar isn’t the only part of Windows 11 getting more flexibility.
Microsoft is also making the Start menu considerably more customizable.
The company has been testing controls that let users decide which major sections of Start they actually want to see. That includes separate controls for areas such as Pinned, Recommended/Recent, and All apps.
This could make a big difference for people who prefer a cleaner Start menu.
For example, if you don’t want Windows filling your Start menu with recommendations or recent content, you’ll have more control over what appears there instead of having to work around Microsoft’s default layout.
Microsoft is also testing a resizable Start menu, giving users more flexibility over how much space it occupies on the desktop. Reports from testing indicate that different Start menu sizes can better accommodate users who want either a compact launcher or a more expansive view of their apps.
Why this Windows 11 update matters
At first glance, moving the Taskbar or resizing Start might not sound like a huge Windows update.
But these are two of the most frequently used parts of the operating system.
The Taskbar is something most Windows users interact with dozens—or even hundreds—of times every day. Start is the gateway to apps, settings and files. Giving users more control over these areas can make Windows 11 feel much more personal.
It also represents a noticeable shift in Microsoft’s approach to Windows 11 customization.
Instead of forcing everyone into one interface, Microsoft is increasingly giving users options and letting them decide how their desktop should work.
That’s something longtime Windows users are likely to appreciate.
More Windows 11 improvements are coming
The Taskbar and Start menu changes aren’t arriving alone.
Microsoft’s broader Windows 11 quality push also includes improvements to performance, reliability and everyday usability. The company has been working on areas such as File Explorer performance, loading animations and overall system responsiveness.
Recent Windows 11 updates have also included smaller quality-of-life improvements across File Explorer, Search, Widgets, Settings and the Start menu. Microsoft’s July 2026 preview update, for example, included reliability improvements for Start and Taskbar during startup as well as additional File Explorer fixes.
These may not generate the same headlines as a redesigned Start menu, but they could make Windows 11 feel noticeably smoother over time.
When will the new Taskbar and Start menu arrive?
This is where things get interesting.
Features moving through Microsoft’s preview and Release Preview process are generally much closer to public availability than features in earlier Insider channels. However, Microsoft can still change, delay or gradually roll out features before they reach every compatible PC.
Microsoft’s Windows updates are frequently delivered in phases, meaning two eligible PCs may not receive the same feature on the same day. Microsoft explicitly notes that some updates use a gradual rollout before becoming broadly available.
So while the new Taskbar and Start menu appear to be nearing their public debut, users shouldn’t necessarily expect a single switch to flip on every Windows 11 PC simultaneously.
How to get the new Windows 11 Taskbar early
If you don’t want to wait for the general rollout, the Windows Insider Program is the place to watch.
Microsoft has already been testing the new Taskbar position and size controls in its Insider channels. The experimental builds have included options for moving the Taskbar to different sides of the display and switching to a smaller Taskbar layout.
For most people, however, waiting for the stable rollout is probably the better choice.
Insider builds are designed for testing, which means they can contain bugs or unfinished features. If your PC is your primary work machine, a little patience may be worthwhile.
The Windows 11 Taskbar is finally getting the freedom users wanted
Windows 11 has received plenty of criticism for removing customization options that longtime Windows users had become accustomed to.
The upcoming Taskbar and Start menu changes suggest Microsoft has been listening.
Being able to move the Taskbar to the top, left or right, make it smaller, resize the Start menu and control which Start sections appear gives users significantly more freedom than the original Windows 11 experience.
And perhaps that’s the most important part of this update.
Microsoft isn’t reinventing Windows. It’s making Windows 11 more adaptable to the way people actually use their PCs.
If the rollout stays on track, these changes could become some of the most appreciated Windows 11 improvements of 2026.
Windows 11 users may finally get the Taskbar and Start menu they have been asking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move the Windows 11 Taskbar to the top of the screen?
Microsoft is testing support for moving the Taskbar to the top, left, right or bottom of the screen. The feature is expected to become available through a wider Windows 11 rollout after testing is completed.
Can I make the Windows 11 Taskbar smaller?
Yes. Microsoft is testing a smaller Taskbar option that reduces both the Taskbar height and icon size, providing more usable screen space.
Will I be able to resize the Windows 11 Start menu?
Microsoft is testing a resizable Start menu along with additional controls for determining which sections appear.
When will the new Windows 11 Taskbar be available to everyone?
The features are moving closer to general availability, but Microsoft’s Windows updates can roll out gradually. The exact timing may therefore vary by device and configuration.
Should I join Windows Insider to get the new Taskbar?
You can use Windows Insider builds to test features earlier, but Insider software is intended for testing and may be less stable than the regular Windows 11 release.
Stay tuned to WinCentral for all latest news about Windows 11 update related news and keep reading our full coverage here.
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