How to customize the Taskbar in Windows

The Windows Taskbar is an essential component of the Windows operating system, acting as a versatile platform for multitasking and quick access to applications and system notifications. The Taskbar allows you to pin favorite applications for easy access, view open applications, and manage system notifications. It also includes the Start menu, search bar, and system tray, making it a central hub for navigation and control over various aspects of the system.

 

Customization is a key feature of the Windows Taskbar, allowing you to personalize it to your liking. You can move the Taskbar to the top or sides, pin or unpin applications, and show or hide icons in the system tray. These customization options transform the Taskbar from just a functional tool into a personalized control center, enhancing productivity and user experience.

This article describes how to customize the Taskbar so you can get the most out of its features. Whether you want to change the alignment of icons, manage which applications appear, or adjust the visibility of icons in the system tray, you'll find step-by-step instructions to help you personalize the Taskbar to suit your workflow and preferences.

Taskbar layout configuration

 

The Windows Taskbar consists of many different components, each with its own function:

1. Start
2. Search
3. Task view
4. Applications
5. News and interests
6. Notification area

While some components can be customized or removed to your liking, others are essential to the normal functioning of Windows and cannot be removed. Let's explore how you can personalize it to better suit your needs.

Start

The Start menu is a central hub for quick access to your apps, settings, and files. The Start menu layout is customizable, allowing you to easily find and launch your most frequently used apps and websites.

Additionally, the Start menu includes user account options, allowing you to log in, log out, lock the device, or switch user accounts.

Search

Windows Search is a powerful feature that lets you search for files, applications, settings, and even web search results directly from your desktop. The search box, conveniently placed on the Taskbar, provides a seamless way to access this functionality. Additionally, Windows Search integrates web search capabilities from Microsoft Bing, allowing you to get search results without opening a browser.

To configure Taskbar Search:

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Search .
2. You can choose from the following options:
   1. Hidden : Remove the search feature from the Taskbar
   2. Show search icon only : Only display the search icon.
   3. Show search box : Displays a full text box for entering your search query.
   4. Show search highlights : Displays interesting moments from around the world directly in our search box.
   5. Open on hover : Use this feature to turn search on or off when you hover your mouse over Search.

Task view

The Task View button on the Taskbar is designed to enhance your multitasking experience in Windows. It allows you to quickly access and manage all open windows and multiple desktops. When you open Task View, thumbnails of all active applications are displayed, making it easy to switch between tasks or close unnecessary windows. Additionally, Task View allows you to create and manage multiple desktops, providing a tidy workspace suitable for different projects or activities. This feature is especially useful when you need to organize your workflow efficiently and focus on specific tasks.

 

To hide the Task View button from the Taskbar, right-click on the Taskbar and uncheck the " Show Task View button" option .

Applications

Pin applications directly to the Taskbar for quick access when you're on your desktop (or unpin them if you prefer). You can do this from the Start menu or Jump List, a list of shortcuts to recently opened files, folders, and websites.

Pin or unpin apps from Start.

1. In the Taskbar's Search box , type the name of the application you want to pin to the Taskbar. Press and hold (or right-click) the application, then select Pin to taskbar .
2. To unpin an app, follow the same steps and select Unpin from taskbar .

Pin or unpin apps from the App list.

If the app is already open, right-click or press and hold the app icon on the Taskbar, then select Pin to taskbar . Or select Unpin from taskbar  if you are unpinning the app.

News and interest

News and interest quickly displays weather information, news, and other information on the Taskbar. You can show or hide the News and interest item from the Taskbar.

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings .
2. In the News and interests section , turn the Show news and interests on the taskbar option on or off.

Evening area

The notification area on the taskbar includes various icons and elements, allowing quick access to system functions and notifications. You can customize each part of the system tray to suit your preferences.

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings .
2. In the Notification area , select the icons you want to display in the system tray.
   1. In the "Select which icons appear on the taskbar" section , enable the option for the icons you are interested in.
   2. In the "Turn system icons on or off" section , enable the option corresponding to the system icons you are interested in.

To rearrange icons in the Notification area, you can drag and drop them. You can move icons currently displayed in the system tray as well as those in the hidden area. To show an icon, drag it from the hidden area into the Notification area. Conversely, to hide an icon, drag it from the notification area back into the hidden area.

Action center

To edit quick actions in the Action Center:

1. In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Notifications & Actions.
2. Select Edit your quick actions
3. The Action Center will open with quick actions in edit mode. Select the Add button to add a quick action or unpin a quick action you want to remove.

Note : To rearrange the icons, you can press and hold (or select) any quick action, then drag them.

 

1. Once you've finished making the quick edits, select Done .

Use the small or large buttons on the Taskbar.

If you want to display more applications on the Taskbar, you can show smaller button versions.

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings .
2. Turn the " Use small taskbar buttons" switch on or off according to your preference.

Note : The badge will not be displayed on small taskbar buttons.

Change the height of the taskbar.

Like many other changes to the Taskbar, you first need to unlock the Taskbar. Then, move your cursor over the Taskbar border until the cursor changes to a double arrow. Drag the border to your desired size and release.

Change the Taskbar position

Typically, the taskbar is located at the bottom of the screen, but you can also move it to the sides or to the top of the screen. When the taskbar is unlocked, you can change its position.

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings .
2. In Taskbar location on screen , select Left, Top, Right  , or  Bottom.

Change Taskbar color

You can modify the Taskbar color by changing Windows' color mode or by configuring the accent color. Refer to the following two articles for more details:

1. How to change the Taskbar color in Windows 10
2. How to change the Taskbar color in Windows 11

Configure Taskbar behavior

In addition to customizing the Taskbar layout, you can change various behaviors to enhance the user experience. These behaviors include how the Taskbar responds to different actions, such as locking and unlocking its position, and automatically hiding it when not in use. By adjusting these settings, you can create a more efficient and personalized workflow tailored to your specific needs.

Lock and unlock the Taskbar

Locking the Taskbar is convenient because it ensures it stays in the position you've set. Unlock the Taskbar only after you want to make changes or reposition it on the desktop.

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings .
2. Switch the " Lock the taskbar" toggle to On or Off according to your preference.

Note : If you have multiple screens displaying the Taskbar, you also have the option to Lock all taskbars .

Change how the buttons on the Taskbar are grouped together.

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings .
2. In Combine taskbar buttons , select one of the following options:
   1. Always, hide labels . This is the default setting. Each application will appear as a single button, without labels, even if multiple windows for that application are open.
   2. When the taskbar is full , this setting displays each window as a separate, labeled button. When the taskbar becomes cluttered, applications with multiple open windows will collapse into a single application button. Select this button to see a list of open windows.
   3. Never . This setting displays each window as a separate, labeled button and never merges them, regardless of how many windows are open. As more applications and windows open, the buttons will shrink and eventually they will scroll.

If you're using multiple monitors, you can choose a different option for your additional displays.

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings .
2. In Multiple Displays , select the options from the Combine taskbar buttons on other taskbars list .

Display badges on Taskbar buttons.

The badge on a Taskbar button is an alert that lets you know that certain activities are happening or need to happen with that application. For example, the bell-shaped badge on the Alarms & Clocks app will alert you to an active alarm and will sound it at the set time. This feature is enabled by default, but you can ensure it's turned on (or off).

 

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings .
2. Switch the " Show badges on taskbar buttons " toggle to On or Off according to your preference.

Automatically hide the Taskbar

You can hide the Taskbar depending on whether you're in desktop or tablet mode.

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings .
2. Enable the option "Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode" or " Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode " (or both).

Display desktop

Use the Peek feature to quickly see the desktop content behind all open windows.

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Taskbar settings .
2. Turn on the Use Peek to preview the desktop when you move your mouse to the Show desktop button at the end of the taskbar option .
3. Move your mouse cursor to (or press and hold) the outer edge of the system tray to display the desktop.
4. To restore the view of all open windows, move the cursor away or press and hold the edge again.