The Ultimate Guide to Personalizing Your Windows 11 Taskbar

From launching apps and switching between windows to checking notifications and accessing system controls, the taskbar is one of the most frequently used parts of Windows. While its default layout works well for most people, customizing it can give you a cleaner interface, quicker access to your favorite apps, and a setup that better matches the way you work.

Pin and Unpin Your Favorite Apps

By default, the taskbar includes a mix of pinned apps. While some of them may be ones you use regularly, others might never get opened. At the same time, the apps you use most often may not even be pinned, forcing you to search for them every time. One of the easiest ways to personalize the taskbar is to pin your favorite apps and remove the ones you don't need.

To pin an app, find it through Search or the Start menu, right-click it, and select "Pin to Taskbar." To remove an app, right-click its icon on the taskbar and choose "Unpin From Taskbar."

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After a little cleanup, you'll have a taskbar that contains only the apps you use most often, giving you quicker access and a cleaner, less cluttered workspace.

Left-Aligned vs. Centered: Choose Your Icon Layout

One of the major visual changes in Windows 11 is the centered taskbar icons. Some people prefer this modern look because it gives the taskbar a cleaner appearance and places your most used apps closer to the center of the screen. However, if you're more comfortable with the traditional left-aligned layout from earlier versions of Windows, you can switch back.

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To change the alignment, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. Then expand "Taskbar Behaviors," click the drop-down menu next to "Taskbar Alignment," and choose "Left" or "Center."

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If you're unsure which layout you'll prefer, try using both for a few days. Then stick with the one that feels more natural and fits your workflow best.

Clean Up Default Taskbar Icons (Search, Task View, Widgets, Chat)

Windows places icons like Search, Task View, Widgets, and Chat on the taskbar by default. If you don't use these features often, they can take up unnecessary space. You can easily hide any icons you don't need. To do this, right-click an empty area of the taskbar and select "Taskbar Settings." Under "Taskbar Items," simply turn off the icons you don't want to appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

TweakBot answers common questions about this guide using TweakTown's own coverage from this page and related content from our archive. Tap a question to reveal the answer, or type your own below.

Question #1

How do I pin an app to the Windows 11 taskbar and unpin it if I change my mind?

To pin an app, find it through Search or the Start menu, right-click it, and select "Pin to Taskbar." To remove an app, right-click its icon on the taskbar and choose "Unpin From Taskbar."

Answered

Question #2

Where exactly do I change the taskbar alignment from centered to left-aligned?

Open Settings and go to Personalization > Taskbar. Expand "Taskbar Behaviors," click the drop-down next to "Taskbar Alignment," and choose "Left" to switch from centered to left-aligned.

Answered

Question #3

Where is the setting to stop Windows from grouping multiple windows into one taskbar button?

Open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, expand "Taskbar Behaviors," and set "Combine Taskbar Buttons and Hide Labels" to "Never" to stop Windows from grouping multiple windows into one taskbar button.

Answered

Question #4

Will disabling taskbar button grouping make my taskbar more cluttered, and what trade-offs should I expect?

Yes. Disabling taskbar button grouping makes each window appear separately, which can make the taskbar take up more space and look more cluttered, especially if you have many apps or windows open. The trade-off is easier identification and faster switching between individual windows versus less available taskbar space and potential overcrowding.

Answered

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Hiding these icons frees up space for your pinned apps or simply gives the taskbar a cleaner look. You can still access most of these features in other ways - for example, by opening Search from the Start menu or using keyboard shortcuts for Task View. If you ever want the icons back, just return to the same settings page and re-enable them.

Manage the System Tray and Hidden Icons

The system tray in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar displays background apps and quick system controls. Some app icons are shown directly on the taskbar, while others are hidden in the overflow menu, which you can open by clicking the upward arrow. If there are apps you access frequently, you can choose to keep their icons visible at all times.

To manage these icons, open the Settings app, go to Personalization > Taskbar, and expand "Other System Tray Icons." From there, turn on the toggle for the apps you want to appear directly on the taskbar. Likewise, if you'd rather move an icon to the overflow menu, simply turn its toggle off. This helps keep your taskbar organized while keeping your apps within reach.

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Enable Auto-Hide for More Screen Space

The taskbar takes up a small portion of your screen at all times. On a large monitor, this usually isn't a problem, but on a smaller laptop display, every bit of vertical space matters. If you'd like more room for your apps and windows, you can set the taskbar to hide automatically when it's not in use.

With auto-hide enabled, the taskbar stays out of sight until you move your cursor to the bottom of the screen. Once you move the cursor away, it hides again, giving you a cleaner, less distracting desktop and a little more space to work with.

To enable this feature, right-click an empty area of the taskbar and select "Taskbar Settings." Then expand "Taskbar Behaviors" and check "Automatically Hide the Taskbar." It's a simple change that gives you more screen space.

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Change Taskbar Button Grouping

By default, Windows groups multiple open windows from the same app into a single taskbar button. If you prefer each window to appear separately, making it easier to switch between them, you can disable taskbar button grouping. To do this, open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, expand "Taskbar Behaviors," and set "Combine Taskbar Buttons and Hide Labels" to "Never."

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This makes it easier to identify and switch between multiple windows at a glance. However, it also takes up more space on the taskbar, especially if you have many apps open.

That's how you can make the Windows taskbar cleaner, more efficient, and better suited to the way you work. If you've been using the default layout, try the changes above and see how they improve your overall experience. The best part is that all of these settings are easy to change, so don't hesitate to experiment until you find a taskbar layout that feels just right for you.