The Windows 11 resizable taskbar and Start menu is the single most-requested desktop feature Microsoft has ever received, and it is finally arriving. Starting with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8493, power users can now resize the taskbar, move it to any screen edge, and toggle individual Start menu sections on or off — ending years of frustration with the OS’s locked-down default layout.
Why Microsoft Locked the Taskbar in the First Place
When Windows 11 launched in October 2021, Microsoft made a deliberate architectural decision: the taskbar was rebuilt from the ground up using a new framework that initially stripped out repositioning and resizing capabilities that Windows 10 users had relied on. The goal was a cleaner, touch-friendly baseline — but the trade-off was flexibility. For four years, third-party tools like ExplorerPatcher and StartAllBack filled the gap. Now Microsoft is addressing the gap itself.
According to the official Windows Insider blog, the team noted that “Windows 11 introduced a roomier taskbar to support more states and features while also improving touch targets” — but acknowledged that on smaller screens, that extra space became a liability. The new modular approach is Microsoft’s answer to both camps.
What the Windows 11 Resizable Taskbar Actually Lets You Do
The updated taskbar customization in Windows 11 introduces several concrete controls that were absent since launch:
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Resize the taskbar height — choose between a compact (smaller buttons) and the standard default size.
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Move the taskbar to any screen edge — bottom, left, right, or top, mirroring the flexibility Windows 10 offered.
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Resize the Start button — scale it to match your preferred taskbar density.
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Smaller taskbar button labels — reduce visual clutter on wide monitors with many pinned apps.
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Taskbar overflow management — control how apps spill into the hidden-icon tray.
All settings live under Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviours, so there is no need for third-party tweaks to access these options once the build rolls out to your machine.
The Modular Start Menu: Toggle Sections On or Off
Alongside Windows 11 taskbar settings, the Start menu is getting its biggest structural update since launch. The new design is genuinely modular — you can enable or disable distinct panels rather than accepting a one-size-fits-all layout.
Sections You Can Now Toggle
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Pinned apps grid — keep it, resize it, or remove it entirely if you prefer the search-first workflow.
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Recommended files — the often-controversial section that surfaces recent documents; now completely optional.
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Account and power buttons — reposition or declutter the bottom row.
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Search bar prominence — choose whether the search field appears as a full bar, an icon, or is hidden.
Smaller Layouts for Compact Displays
Users on laptops with 13-inch or 14-inch screens will appreciate the new smaller layout presets. The Start menu can now shrink to occupy less vertical space, which matters most on devices where screen real estate is scarce. This is a direct response to feedback from users running Windows 11 on compact devices and tablets.
How to Customise the Start Menu on Windows 11 Right Now
If you want to customise the Start menu on Windows 11 today using the new options, here is the step-by-step path:
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Open Settings (Win + I).
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Go to Personalisation > Start.
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Under Layout, select More pins, Default, or More recommendations — or the new compact option if your build supports it.
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Toggle Show recently added apps, Show most-used apps, and Show recently opened items to your preference.
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For position, go to Personalisation > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviours and change the alignment or enable the smaller option.
If these options are not yet visible, you may need to join the Windows Insider Programme and install the relevant Experimental build to access them before they roll out to stable.
Windows 11 Taskbar Settings vs Windows 10: What’s Restored?
One of the most common complaints at Windows 11’s launch was the removal of the left-aligned Start button position and the inability to move the taskbar. Here is a quick comparison of what was lost and what is now being restored through the latest Windows 11 taskbar settings updates:
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✅ Move taskbar to top/left/right — was in Windows 10, removed in Windows 11, now coming back.
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✅ Compact/small taskbar icons — was in Windows 10, removed in Windows 11, now restored.
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✅ Removable Start menu sections — partially available in Windows 10 tiles, now more granular in Windows 11.
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❌ Live Tiles — still absent; Microsoft has no plans to bring these back.
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❌ Full taskbar transparency — still requires a third-party tool for deep transparency effects.
Why This Update Matters for Power Users and IT Pros
The impact of proper taskbar customization in Windows 11 extends well beyond aesthetics. For software developers who run multiple monitors with dense toolbars, a compact taskbar reclaims meaningful vertical space. For IT administrators deploying Windows 11 across corporate fleets, granular Start menu control means less need for Group Policy workarounds to suppress the Recommended section — a common pain point in enterprise rollouts.
According to reporting by Windows Central, at least four distinct Start menu changes are arriving in this wave, with privacy controls also being tightened — users will have clearer opt-out mechanisms for the file recommendation engine that feeds the Recommended section. That is a significant acknowledgement that the default Windows 11 experience was eroding trust with privacy-conscious users.
Industry analysts note that Windows 11 adoption accelerated past the 35% market share mark among active Windows devices in 2024, and these quality-of-life improvements are clearly designed to push that figure higher before Windows 10 reaches end-of-support in October 2025.
Should You Upgrade to Windows 11 to Get These Features?
If you are still on Windows 10 and holding out because of the rigid Windows 11 interface, this update removes one of the most-cited reasons to wait. The Windows 11 resizable taskbar and Start menu addresses the core UX complaints that drove users back to Windows 10 or towards third-party shell replacements.
That said, the new features are currently rolling out through the Windows Insider channel. A stable-channel release timeline has not been officially confirmed, but Microsoft’s cadence suggests a broad rollout by late 2025. If you want to run a fully supported, genuine copy of Windows 11 and be ready the moment these features land, TopKeyShop has you covered with genuine licence keys at a fraction of retail cost.
Our Windows 11 Pro Retail 64-bit licence is available from just €9.10 — instant email delivery, official Microsoft download links included. If you need the full productivity stack, the Windows 11 Pro + Office 2024 Professional Plus bundle is on sale for €19.10 (regular €29.00), saving you over 34% in a single purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Windows 11 resizable taskbar available right now?
As of the latest Insider Preview Build 26300.8493, the resizable taskbar and modular Start menu are available to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel. A stable rollout to all Windows 11 users has not been given an official date, but Microsoft is actively testing the feature ahead of a broader release.
How do I move the taskbar in Windows 11?
Once the update reaches your device, go to Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviours. You will see a dropdown to change alignment and a toggle for the smaller taskbar button option. If you do not see these options yet, you are not on a build that includes them.
Can I remove the Recommended section from the Start menu?
Yes — the new modular Start menu lets you toggle the Recommended section off entirely via Settings > Personalisation > Start. This is one of the most-requested changes and is part of the same update that brings Start menu resizing.
Will these features come to Windows 11 Home as well as Pro?
Yes. The taskbar and Start menu customization changes apply to all editions of Windows 11, including Home and Pro. The changes are part of the shell layer rather than edition-specific features, so every user benefits from the update.
Do I need a new PC to use the updated taskbar and Start menu?
No. The resizable taskbar and modular Start menu are software updates delivered through Windows Update. Any PC already running Windows 11 — regardless of when it was purchased — will receive the update once it exits the Insider testing phase.
What’s the difference between Windows 11 Home and Pro for power users?
Both editions receive the same taskbar and Start menu updates. However, Windows 11 Pro adds features like BitLocker drive encryption, Remote Desktop, and Hyper-V virtualisation — tools that power users and developers find valuable. For most home and enthusiast users, Windows 11 Home is sufficient.
