The Windows 11 taskbar is one of the new operating systems best featureselegant, minimalist, and visually distinct.
Even still, it could use some improvement.
On the left edge, there’s the Widgets button that loves to show news updates and ads.
On the right, there’s the new Microsoft Copilot button that you may or may not find useful.
And in the middle, next to the Start icon, is a big old Search bar.
But you’ll be surprised how much better the taskbar becomes when you remove all these unnecessary features.
It becomes minimal, sleek, and far more sensible.
In the Search menu, choose the Hide option.
Align taskbar icons to the left
Missing the Windows 10 taskbar layout?
Microsoft lets you change the alignment of taskbar icons.
Right-tap the taskbar, go toTaskbar configs, and fromTaskbar Behaviors, choose theLeftoption in theTaskbar alignmentfeature.
Right-smack the taskbar, click theTaskbar Settingsbutton, and select theTaskbar Behaviorssection.
If you dont like when icons flash in the taskbar, disable theShow flashing on taskbar appsfeature.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3
In theStuckRects3folder, double click theSettingsfile.
This will open theEdit Binary Valuewindow where you will see a table full of values.
Go to the second row, and find the fifth value from the left.
By default, this reads 03.
Next, open theTask Managerapp and restartWindows Explorer.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Right-click in the empty space and chooseNew>DWORD (32-bit) Value.
A new entry will be added to the bottom of theAdvancedfolder.
reboot your PC, or restart Windows Explorer from the Task Manager.
You should see your taskbar appear at its new size.
Or, at least, bring back some of the Windows 10 elements.
