How to Change the Windows Taskbar Position

This updated guide examines How to Change the Windows Taskbar Position and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 3:

Windows 8 & 10

1. Right-click a blank section of the taskbar. A menu with tools to customize the desktop will open.
2. Verify the taskbar is unlocked. Towards the bottom of the menu you will see an option to "Lock the taskbar". Make sure this option is unchecked before proceeding to the next step.^[1]
3. Click "Properties" at the bottom of the menu. The "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" window will open.
4. Click the "Taskbar location on screen" box. Choose "Left", "Right", or "Top" in the drop down menu to reposition the taskbar.
5. Click "Apply". Click "Ok" next to close the window. The taskbar is now in the chosen location on your screen.
6. Reset the taskbar to its original position. Right-click the taskbar, go back into "Properties" in the menu, then select "Bottom" in the "Taskbar location on screen" drop down menu. Click "Ok" to close.

Method 2of 3:

Windows 7

1. Left-click a blank section of the taskbar. ^[2]
2. Hold the left mouse button and drag the taskbar to it's new location. You can hold and drag to the top, left, or right of the screen.
3. Release the mouse button. The taskbar is now in the chosen location on your screen.
4. Reset the taskbar to its original position. Left-click a blank section of the taskbar, then drag to the bottom of the screen and release the mouse.

Method 3of 3:

Customize The Taskbar

1. Change the color of the taskbar. Click the "Start" button on the taskbar.^[3]
2. Type "taskbar" in the "Search the internet and Windows" box. Select "Apply color to Start, taskbar, and Action Center" in the menu.
3. Choose a color. Highlight the color of choice by clicking one of the colored squares.
4. Apply to taskbar. Turn on "Show color on Start, taskbar, action center, and title bar" setting. Turn off "Make Start, taskbar, and action center transparent". Close the settings window.
5. Add or remove taskbar features. Right-click the taskbar, select "Properties" from the menu.
6. Turn taskbar features on or off. On the "Taskbar" tab you can choose to lock the taskbar, auto-hide the taskbar, use small taskbar buttons, or combine task bar buttons.
7. Select toolbars to add to the taskbar. On the "Toolbars" tab you can add a web address toolbar, links, battery, or a desktop toolbar to the taskbar. Click "Apply" to save changes, and "Ok" to close.