Windows 11 Finally Brings Back the Movable Taskbar for Beta Testers

Microsoft has begun testing one of Windows 11’s most requested features: the ability to move the taskbar to any edge of the screen. The functionality arrives with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.9022 in the Beta Channel, nearly five years after users first asked for its return.

Taskbar Can Once Again Be Positioned Freely

Windows 10 allowed users to place the taskbar on the top, bottom, left, or right side of the screen. That flexibility was removed when Windows 11 launched, leaving the taskbar permanently fixed to the bottom.

Microsoft announced in February that restoring this capability had become a top development priority, and after months of limited updates—including an early development leak in April—the feature is now available for testing.

Once enabled, users can change the taskbar position by navigating to:

Settings → Personalization → Taskbar

Additional Taskbar Improvements

Alongside the return of movable positioning, Microsoft has introduced several design refinements:

• Reduced taskbar height for a more compact appearance.
• Smaller application icons to free up screen space.
• Continued support for grouping app icons.

Microsoft notes that some issues remain, particularly involving touch gestures and Copilot integration, which are expected to be addressed during future Insider testing.

A Reversal of One of Windows 11’s Most Criticized Changes

The inability to reposition the taskbar has been one of the most frequently criticized design decisions in Windows 11. Many users viewed the removal as an unnecessary limitation that reduced personalization compared to Windows 10.

The new Beta build marks Microsoft’s decision to reverse that change, restoring functionality that had long been standard in previous Windows versions.

Expected Public Release

The movable taskbar is currently limited to Windows Insider Beta Channel users.

Based on Microsoft’s typical release schedule, features that reach the Beta Channel often become available to all Windows 11 users within several weeks. If testing proceeds as planned, the feature is expected to roll out broadly with September’s Patch Tuesday update.

The release represents one of Microsoft’s most visible responses to long-standing community feedback, delivering a feature many Windows users have requested since Windows 11 debuted.