The Windows 11 taskbar introduced a centred layout, streamlined system tray, and integrated widgets board that distinguish it from previous Windows versions. While the simplified visual language provides a clean aesthetic, power users and professionals often prefer granular control over taskbar alignment, system tray overflow items, application uncombining behaviours, and notification badge visibility.
This tutorial explains how to customise the Windows 11 taskbar layout, switch between centre and left alignment, configure system tray icons, enable or disable uncombined app labels, and manage notification badges.
Accessing Taskbar Settings in Windows 11
All native taskbar customisations are managed through the centralised Windows Settings application.
- Right-click any empty space on the Windows 11 taskbar.
- Click Taskbar settings from the popup context menu.
- Alternatively, press Windows Key + I to launch Settings, navigate to Personalisation in the left sidebar, and click Taskbar.
- The settings panel presents three primary configuration sections: Taskbar items, System tray icons, and Taskbar behaviours.
Aligning Taskbar Icons: Centre vs Left Alignment
By default, Windows 11 centres the Start menu and running app icons. If you prefer the classic legacy Windows layout where the Start button anchors to the bottom-left corner:
- In the Taskbar settings window, scroll down and click to expand Taskbar behaviours.
- Locate the Taskbar alignment setting at the top of the group.
- Click the dropdown menu currently set to Center and change it to Left.
- The Start button, pinned applications, and active windows instantly shift to the bottom-left corner of your display, mirroring classic Windows 10 muscle memory.
Managing Taskbar Items and Search Bar Styles
You can toggle default system buttons to declutter taskbar real estate:
| Taskbar Item | Available Configuration Options | Recommended Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Search | Hide, Search icon only, Search icon and label, Search box | Set to Search icon only or Hide (since pressing Win + S opens search instantly). |
| Task View | On / Off toggle | Turn off if you use Win + Tab for virtual desktops. |
| Widgets | On / Off toggle | Turn off to remove the live weather badge from the far left/bottom corner. |
| Copilot | On / Off toggle | Toggle visibility of the AI sidebar button. |
Configuring System Tray Overflow Icons
The system tray (located next to the clock) houses background service icons. Windows 11 hides non-essential icons behind a collapsible caret (^) menu.
- In Taskbar settings, click to expand Other system tray icons.
- You will see a list of every active background process (such as OneDrive, Slack, Steam, Antivirus, or VPN clients).
- Toggle an app to On to pin its icon permanently visible in the system tray.
- Toggle an app to Off to tuck it away into the overflow popout tray.
- Quick Drag-and-Drop: You can also manage tray icons directly on the desktop. Click the caret (^) icon in the tray, click and hold any hidden icon, and drag it directly onto the visible taskbar strip to pin it. Dragging an icon back into the popout window hides it.
Workflow Tip: Never Combine Taskbar Buttons
Under Taskbar behaviours, locate Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels. If you frequently handle dozens of open documents or terminal windows, switch this to Never or When taskbar is full so each window displays its full title label independently across the taskbar.
Customising Multi-Monitor Taskbar Behaviour and Badges
If you connect your PC to external monitors, Windows 11 provides dedicated multi-display rules:
- Show taskbar on all displays: Located under Taskbar behaviours. When checked, the taskbar duplicates across secondary and tertiary monitors.
- When using multiple displays, show my taskbar apps on: Choose between All taskbars, Main taskbar and taskbar where window is open, or Taskbar where window is open. Selecting the latter keeps each screen’s taskbar uncluttered by showing only windows residing on that specific monitor.
- Show badges on taskbar apps: Toggle on to view small red unread count indicators on apps like Teams, Outlook, and Discord. Toggle off for an uninterrupted, minimalist workspace.
- Select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop: Toggles the vertical sliver on the extreme bottom-right corner to peek at your desktop with a single click.
Troubleshooting Windows 11 Taskbar Glitches
If taskbar icons vanish, freeze, or fail to respond to clicks, apply these standard remedies:
- Restart Windows Explorer: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager, locate Windows Explorer under the Processes tab, right-click it, and select Restart. The taskbar refreshes within two seconds.
- Corrupted Icon Cache: If system tray icons display blank generic squares, open PowerShell and run:
ie4uinit.exe -show && taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F && start explorer.exe - Group Policy Restrictions: In corporate or domain-managed environments, IT administrators may lock taskbar settings via Group Policy (GPO). Check with your system administrator if alignment or tray toggle controls appear greyed out.