Updated

Updated · Windows Central · Jul 26

Microsoft Upgrades Windows 11 26H2 Start, Taskbar and Search, Restoring 4-Side Taskbar

Updated

Updated · Windows Central · Jul 26

Microsoft Upgrades Windows 11 26H2 Start, Taskbar and Search, Restoring 4-Side Taskbar

Q: What hidden limitations are Insider testers discovering behind the highly anticipated taskbar flexibility in the new Windows 11 release?

Insider testers are finding that Windows 11’s restored movable taskbar is real, but still incomplete in important ways. The headline feature lets users place the taskbar on any edge of the screen, yet preview builds still lack full support for several behaviors many users expect. Auto-hide does not currently work properly when the taskbar is moved away from the bottom. The tablet-optimized taskbar is also unavailable in alternate positions, and touch gestures are still unfinished, which matters on touch-enabled devices. Testers are also seeing feature gaps in vertical layouts. The full Search box is not supported when the taskbar sits on the left, right, or top; it falls back to a search icon instead. Some Insider reports and Microsoft notes also point to missing support for Ask Copilot in alternate locations. In vertical mode, the clock may also lose the option to show seconds. There are broader limits as well. Microsoft has not yet delivered per-monitor taskbar positioning for multi-display setups, and drag-and-drop behavior is still being evaluated rather than fully implemented. Some builds also show that visual polish, animations, and touch behavior are still being refined. So while the flexibility many users wanted is finally returning, Insider evidence shows it is not yet a fully restored Windows 10-style taskbar. It works for core positioning, but several convenience and touch-friendly features remain unfinished behind the preview.

3 articles · Updated · Windows Central · Jul 26

Windows 11 version 26H2 adds broad usability upgrades to the Start menu, Taskbar and Search, with Microsoft targeting long-requested customization, cleaner navigation and better search accuracy.
4-side Taskbar placement returns in the update, letting users move it to the top, bottom, left or right; Microsoft also adds a smaller Taskbar option, though vertical layouts still have limits such as no seconds display.
Start menu changes add preset size options, let users hide Pinned, Recent and All sections, and separate file recommendations from system recommendations so suggested content can be reduced without affecting recent files elsewhere.
Search gets a redesigned home page focused on recent queries, separate toggles for web and Microsoft Store results, and improved ranking that pushes local apps, settings and files higher while handling misspellings and 2-character searches better.
Microsoft is expected to ship these features with 26H2 but may also roll them out through monthly updates to Windows 11 25H2 before the 2026 release.