Microsoft Restores 4-Side Taskbar and Start Menu Controls in Windows 11 for 2026
Updated
Updated · Windows Central · Jun 26
Microsoft Restores 4-Side Taskbar and Start Menu Controls in Windows 11 for 2026
3 articles · Updated · Windows Central · Jun 26
Summary
Windows 11 preview builds show Microsoft bringing back long-missing customization in 2026, including taskbar placement on the top, left, right, or bottom of the screen.
Taskbar controls are also expanding with a dedicated size setting and smaller-button mode that now shrinks the bar itself, though Microsoft still stops short of Windows 10-style free resizing and multi-row layouts.
Start menu changes add selectable layouts, different sizes, and separate toggles for Pinned, Recommended, and All apps, while recommendation settings are being split from recent files and activity history.
A new privacy option lets users hide their account name and profile picture, underscoring Microsoft's broader Windows K2 push to improve usability, reliability, and performance without reverting Windows 11 to Windows 10.