Customizing Your Taskbar in Windows-11: A Beginner's Guide
The taskbar is a central component of the Windows operating system, and it provides quick access to frequently used apps and system functions. With the release of Windows-11, Microsoft has introduced several new customization options that allow users to personalize their taskbar according to their preferences. In this article, we will walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to customize your taskbar in Windows-11.
Step 1: Accessing the Taskbar Settings
To begin customizing your taskbar, right-click on any empty space on the taskbar itself. This will bring up a context menu with various options. From this menu, select "Taskbar settings." Alternatively, you can access the settings by clicking on the Start button and selecting "Settings." Once in the Settings window, click on "Personalization" from the left-hand side navigation pane and then choose "Taskbar."
Step 2: Changing Taskbar Alignment
By default, Windows-11 places icons centered in your taskbar along with other centered elements like Start button and system tray (also known as notification area). "
Step 3: Configuring Task View Button
Windows-11 introduces a new feature called Snap Layouts that allows you to organize windows into predefined layouts for better multitasking. To enable or disable displaying the Task View button (which provides access to these layouts) on your taskbar, simply toggle its switch under "Task view button" section.
Step 4: Showing or Hiding System Icons
The system icons appearing in your notification area can be customized according to your needs. In the Settings window mentioned earlier ("Personalization" > "Task bar"), scroll down until you find an option labeled "Notification area." Click on it to open the corresponding settings page.
Here, you can choose which system icons you want to show or hide. Simply toggle the switch next to each icon to control its visibility.
Step 5: Customizing Taskbar Behaviors
Windows-11 offers additional customization options that allow you to fine-tune how your taskbar behaves. In the "Taskbar behaviors" section of the taskbar settings, you can customize options such as:
- Automatically hiding the taskbar in desktop mode: This option lets you reclaim some screen space when not actively using the taskbar.
Toggle on "Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode" if desired.
- Use small taskbar buttons: By enabling this option, Windows-11 reduces the size of icons on your taskbar.
- Combine or never combine taskbar buttons: These options let you control how multiple instances of an app are displayed in your task bar.
You can choose between individual buttons for each instance or combine them into one button.
Step 6: Customizing App Icons and Ordering
Windows-11 allows users to personalize their app icons by changing their appearance and order on the taskbar:
- To change an individual app's icon, right-click on it and select "More > Open file location." This will open a File Explorer window with a shortcut selected. Right-click again and choose "Properties." From there, click on "Change Icon" to browse for an alternative icon file (.ico) or use built-in options.
- To reorder apps/icons within your task bar, simply drag and drop them into your preferred position.
Customizing Your Task bar is easy with Windows-11's intuitive interface and numerous customization options. By following this step-by-step guide, beginners can easily tailor their experience according to their preferences. Enjoy personalizing your Windows-11!