22 Essential Tips for Using and Customizing the Windows 11 Taskbar

The taskbar in Windows 11 has undergone significant transformations, marking a shift in how users interact with this essential interface. While the centered Start menu is the most prominent change, numerous enhancements beneath the surface have altered taskbar functionality. This comprehensive guide provides tips and tricks to optimize your taskbar experience, empowering you to customize it to your liking.

1. Quickly Access Taskbar Settings

To swiftly navigate to the taskbar settings from any screen, simply right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings from the context menu.

Alternatively, you can access these settings by going through Windows Settings → Personalization → Taskbar.

2. Adjust Taskbar Alignment

Windows 11 features a centered taskbar layout by default. If you prefer the traditional left-alignment for your Start menu and icons, you can easily modify this in the taskbar settings:

Open the taskbar settings as detailed earlier.
Expand the Taskbar behaviors section.
Select Left next to Taskbar alignment.

3. Pin Applications to the Taskbar

Pinning apps to the taskbar is an effective strategy for quick access. Here are several methods to pin applications in Windows 11:

If an app is currently open, right-click its icon on the taskbar and select Pin to taskbar.
For a desktop application, right-click its icon on the desktop, choose More options, then select Pin to taskbar.
Alternatively, access the Start Menu, click on All, find the app, right-click on it, and select Pin to taskbar.

4. Pin Web Pages to Your Taskbar

Just as you can pin apps, web pages and progressive web apps (PWAs) can also be pinned to the taskbar. Here are the methods to do so:

To create a desktop shortcut for a web page, launch Chrome, navigate to the website, click the three-dot menu, and select Cast, save and share → Create shortcut.
Once the shortcut is on your desktop, pin it to the taskbar as previously described.
If you prefer using Microsoft Edge, open the desired website, click the three-dot menu, select More tools followed by Pin to taskbar.
You can also pin recently visited web pages by hovering over the browser’s icon on the taskbar. The pinned pages will appear under the Recently closed section, where you can pin them permanently.

5. Pin Custom Folders to the Taskbar

Pinnable folders can include your work directory, downloads folder, or other frequently accessed directories. Here’s how to do it:

Right-click on the Desktop, select New → Shortcut.
Use the Browse button to select the folder’s location. In the text field, type Explorer prior to the folder’s path, then proceed to click Next.
Assign a name to your new shortcut and click Finish.
Next, right-click the new shortcut and choose Show more options, then Pin to taskbar.

6. Rearrange Icons on the Taskbar

The default order of app icons on the taskbar follows their pinning or opening sequence. To rearrange them, simply click and drag the app icon to your desired location.

7. Remove Apps from the Taskbar

If you wish to unpin an app from the taskbar, right-click the app and choose Unpin from taskbar.

You can also unpin apps directly from the Start Menu by right-clicking the app and selecting Unpin from taskbar.

8. Open Grouped Apps from the Taskbar

Windows 11 enhances multitasking with snap layouts. When windows are snapped, you can quickly access them from the taskbar. To view grouped apps, hover over an app icon and click on the app group.

9. Manage System Tray Icons

System tray icons are hidden by default and can be accessed by clicking the upward arrow. To make certain tray apps visible, you can permanently display their icons on the system tray.

Navigate to the taskbar settings, expand the Other system tray icons section, and enable the toggle for the desired items to display them on the taskbar.

10. Customize Taskbar Item Visibility

The taskbar includes icons that appear between the Start Menu and pinned items:

To hide or show these items, access taskbar settings, expand the Taskbar items section, and toggle off the items you want to remove from the taskbar.

11. Enable Taskbar Auto-Hide Feature

If the taskbar’s constant presence distracts you, enable the feature that hides it when not in use. The taskbar will reappear when you move your mouse over it.

To enable this, go to taskbar settings and check the box next to Automatically hide the taskbar.

12. Enable Notification Badges on Taskbar

Notification badges, similar to those on smartphones, can be enabled for supported apps on the taskbar, making it easier to spot new messages or notifications.

Open taskbar settings, find the option under Taskbar behaviors, and check the box for Show badges on taskbar apps.

13. Enable or Disable Desktop View with Taskbar

You can quickly minimize all open applications to reveal the desktop using the Show desktop button at the far right of the taskbar. To enable this feature, visit taskbar settings and select the checkbox for Select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop.

14. Display Taskbar on Multiple Monitors

In multi-display environments, you can customize whether the taskbar appears on each screen and how taskbar apps are represented across monitors.

Access taskbar settings and enable the toggle for Show my taskbar on all displays.

15. Adjust Taskbar Transparency

Windows 11 allows you to apply a translucent effect to the taskbar through its built-in settings.

Navigate to Windows Settings, go to Personalization → Colors, and turn on the toggle for Transparency effects.

For complete transparency, consider using a third-party application called TranslucentTB, available on the Microsoft Store.

16. Change the Taskbar Color

The taskbar color can be customized beyond the default light or dark themes. To do so, open Windows Settings, then go to Personalization → Colors.

Select Custom from the dropdown next to Choose your mode and then select Dark under Choose your default Windows mode. Enable the toggle for Show accent color on Start and taskbar.

Next, choose your preferred accent color to apply to the taskbar.

17. Open the Last Active Window from the Taskbar

When multiple instances of an app are open, they are grouped under one icon in the taskbar. To directly launch the most recently used window, you’ll need to make a few registry modifications:

Open Windows Search and type regedit.
In the Registry Editor, navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Right-click in the empty space on the right panel and select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the new value LastActiveClick.
Right-click LastActiveClick, select Modify, set the Value data to 1, and click OK.
Restart your PC.

18. Enable Seconds Display in the Windows 11 Clock

Unlike previous Windows versions, Windows 11 has a straightforward setting to display seconds on the taskbar clock. Go to Time & language → Date & time in the Windows settings, then enable Show seconds in system tray clock.

Show Seconds in Clock option in Windows 11

19. Ungroup Taskbar Applications or Folders

By default, Windows 11 groups applications and folder instances under one icon. To display them separately, access taskbar settings and locate the Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels option in the Taskbar behaviors section. Select Never or When taskbar is full.

20. Adjust the Size of Taskbar Icons

Taskbar icons in Windows 11 are typically small by default, and only shrink further when many icons are present. To always display smaller icons, navigate to the taskbar settings and select the option to Show smaller taskbar buttons set to Always.

enabling smaller Taskbar Buttons in taskbar settings

21. Access Additional Calendars and Clocks

By clicking on the date and time on the taskbar, you can view the calendar and notification panel. Additional calendars and clocks can also be integrated into this area.

To do this, navigate to Windows Settings → Time & language → Date & time, click the dropdown under Show additional calendars in the taskbar, and select your desired calendar. You can also add clocks from different time zones in the Additional clocks section.

Windows 11 Taskbar Clock And Calendar Add

22. Enable “End Task” from the Taskbar

You can streamline the process of terminating an unresponsive application without launching Task Manager by adding the End task command to the taskbar. Navigate to System → Advanced in Windows Settings and enable the End task toggle.

This allows you to right-click any app on the taskbar and select End task to close the application. Note that this may result in data loss, as any unsaved work will be discarded.

End Task option for opera browser in taskbar

These customizations will enhance your taskbar experience in Windows 11, facilitating quick access to essential functions and improving your overall productivity. If you encounter any issues with your taskbar or find that certain functionalities are not operating correctly, consult this guide to troubleshoot and resolve those problems.

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