For years, one of the most repeated criticisms of Windows 11 has been plagued by the inability to move the taskbarWhat in previous versions of Windows was as commonplace as dragging the bar to another edge of the screen disappeared abruptly with the 2021 redesign, leaving many users with the feeling that a basic freedom of customization had been lost.
Now, various leaks suggest that Microsoft is working to bring back that "classic" feature and also allow users to change the size of the progress bar.The idea is that users will once again decide where to place it and how much space it occupies, a shift that fits with the company's attempt to reconcile with a community that, especially in recent years, has shown its discontent with the direction of the operating system.
A classic feature that disappeared with Windows 11
Since the arrival of Windows 95, the taskbar It could be placed on any of the four sides of the monitorUp, down, left, or right. For many, that flexibility was part of the system's DNA. However, with the launch of Windows 11 in 2021, Microsoft completely rebuilt this component, opting for a new, more minimalist interface with centered icons and a different internal architecture.
That redesign had an immediate consequence: The bar remained fixed at the bottom of the screen with no official option to move it.The decision was not well received. From day one, Microsoft's feedback center was flooded with requests to bring back the feature, to the point that the suggestion to "bring back the ability to place the bar at the top and sides" became one of the most voted for.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, where Windows maintains a very high market share in home, educational, and professional environments.This change affected millions of computers. Office users, developers, creatives, and gamers who had spent years organizing their desktops with the taskbar vertical or at the top were forced to adapt to a single design.
Microsoft itself acknowledged on several occasions that the new approach in Windows 11 prioritized a different hierarchy of controls: System elements grouped on the right, widgets on the left, Start menu in the center and a layout designed for the new experience with symmetrical panels. In that context, the "fixed" bar was a key piece of the puzzle.
Over time, however, the unease did not subside. On the contrary: It became a symbol of design decisions poorly aligned with actual use.That's where the current plan to give the user back control over the bar's position comes in.
Moving the taskbar: how it would work and what positions it would have
According to information reported by specialized media outlets such as Windows Central and other portals focused on the Microsoft ecosystem, the company It has already begun internal development so that the bar can be repositioned on all four edges.In other words, it will not only remain available at the bottom, but it can also be pinned to the top, as well as the left and right sides of the screen.
The innovation isn't limited to simply moving a graphical block. Microsoft is working to... all elements associated with the taskbar behave correctly in any orientation: context menus, system tray, notifications, widget panel, Explorer shortcuts, connection controls and of course the Start menu and integrations with Copilot and other AI features.
In multi-monitor setups, a very common use in European offices and in sectors such as software development or design, the possibility of having a vertical bar on a secondary panel or on the side of an ultrawide screen It can make a significant practical difference. Beyond aesthetics, it's about making better use of space and adapting the desk to each workflow.
Microsoft had previously justified that Adapting the bar to lateral positions involved a deep reflux effort in many parts of the interface. The internal structure of the Windows 11 taskbar, rebuilt from scratch, did not inherit code from previous versions, and according to the company, integrating that behavior would have delayed other developments.
Recent leaks suggest that this technical barrier is no longer a reason to postpone the change. In fact, there are reports that the project has high priority in the system roadmap, with additional resources allocated to ensure that buttons, animations, and pop-up panels look and function consistently in both horizontal and vertical bars.
Resizing the bar: why it's important and what impact it will have
In addition to moving it, Microsoft is preparing another highly requested new feature: the ability to change the size of the taskbar in Windows 11The idea is that the user can adjust its height (in horizontal bars) or its width (in vertical bars), so that it occupies more or less space according to needs.
On small laptops or Windows tablets, where Every vertical pixel is gold when working with documents or web pagesA thinner bar allows for a few extra lines of visible content. Conversely, on touchscreens or devices with 3:2 aspect ratio monitors, a slightly larger bar can facilitate precise tapping on icons.
Anyone who uses multiple monitors at work will know that Managing windows, games, or editing programs with a compact toolbar is not the same as managing them with a more generous one.Being able to choose the size helps adapt the interface to the type of use: productivity with many applications open, leisure, content creation, etc.
However, implementing this feature is not a simple cosmetic change. The system must Properly readjust the rest of the interface elements and applications When the bar changes size, it prevents overlaps or unexpected behavior when maximizing windows or using virtual desktops. Therefore, within Microsoft, it's considered a delicate task in terms of design and development.
The reports place this ability to resize the bar in the same line of work as the return of the movable bar, with the aim of making both options available to users togetherThe focus is on offering a complete package of customization improvements, not just an isolated tweak.
Expected timelines: from announcement to deployment in Windows 11
Regarding dates, the sources consulted indicate that Development is already underway and the first official presentation could take place in the summer.Provided the internal Windows roadmap doesn't undergo significant changes, this announcement would serve to publicly showcase the new toolbar in action and detail how it will be integrated into the system.
From there, talk turns to a timeline that points to a wider rollout throughout 2026This is part of a larger wave of improvements planned for that year. The first versions may arrive first in the Windows Insider testing channels, where behavior is typically refined and additional feedback is gathered before being released to the general public.
Some reports mention that the The actual launch horizon for all users could be after the summer of 2026In other words, the announcement and the first test builds could appear sooner, but general availability would be somewhat later, depending on how development progresses and possible adjustments to the product strategy.
Microsoft, for now, has not offered a detailed public confirmation He has remained silent on these plans and avoided commenting in detail when questioned by the specialized press. However, the concurrence of several sources and the history of requests on the Feedback Hub suggest that this is a real move and not just a one-off experiment.
It should be noted that to integrate these new features into a system already deployed in millions of European computers It requires a certain amount of leeway. Internal testing, the Insider program, bug fixes, and adaptation of documentation and support resources are all part of the process prior to any major Windows 11 update.
Community reactions: between celebration and skepticism
The ability to move the taskbar again and adjust its size It has provoked a mixture of relief and sarcasm in forums and social media.Many users are celebrating that one of the most persistent demands since the system's launch has finally been met, while others are being ironic about how long Microsoft has taken to react.
In communities like Reddit, you can read comments ranging from "it's about time" to jokes like “This should have been an afternoon’s work for a small team”For a portion of the installed base, it doesn't make much sense that a feature present for decades disappeared without a clear alternative and took years to reappear.
There are also criticisms that point to a matter of priorities. Several users note that, while efforts have been invested in integrating artificial intelligence functions or redesigning menus, Basic productivity elements like the taskbar seemed to take a backseat.The return of the movable bar is interpreted in that context as an attempt to rebalance the scales.
In Spain, where SMEs and public administrations tend to extend the useful life of equipment, Interface decisions have a direct impact on the daily work routineSeemingly small changes, such as the position of the taskbar, can alter how windows, corporate applications, or management tools are organized. Furthermore, some market analysts point out that Windows 10 regains ground.
Jokes aside, the movement is perceived as part of a broader strategy to regain lost confidence after a difficult 2025, marked by complaints about performance, problems in File Explorer and a certain weariness with the omnipresent Copilot and other background services.
Why is Microsoft backtracking now?
In recent months, executives involved in Windows development have insisted that the company wants to refocus on everyday user experience, performance, and truly useful featuresWithin this context, the decision was made to review changes introduced with Windows 11 that did not quite fit in with users.
The taskbar has been a central part of the Windows desktop for over 30 years. Removing customization options that had proven their value over that time is a mistake. It has fueled the feeling that the system was progressing at the cost of sacrificing comfort.Restoring that capability is part of the message that Microsoft is willing to correct course.
Internally, the change also involves reviewing some design ideas that prioritized visual symmetry and the integration of smart panels over flexibility. The team responsible even went so far as to defend the “New UX of symmetrical panels” as a reason to leave behind the movable barwith all the controls carefully aligned. The pressure of real-world use has ultimately outweighed theory.
Furthermore, the company faces 2026 as A key year to consolidate Windows 11 as a stable, fast platform with room for customizationAlong with adjustments to the taskbar, there are also general stability improvements, performance optimizations, changes to File Explorer, and a rethink of how and where artificial intelligence is integrated into the daily experience.
All of this points to a clear repositioning: less prominence for functions perceived as secondary and more attention to the details that affect the daily lives of those who use the system for work, study, or playThe movable and variable-sized bar is, in that sense, more than just a simple gesture: it is a visible way of demonstrating that the feedback has been heard.
If the timelines predicted by the various leaks are met, Windows 11 users in Spain and the rest of Europe You'll see the return of one of the most fondly remembered features of classic Windows versions, along with greater control over the screen space it occupies.It's not just about moving a strip of icons from one edge to the other: behind this change is an attempt to reconcile Microsoft's design vision with the habits that millions of people have established over decades in front of the operating system's desktop.
