Windows 11 gained the ability to move its taskbar to the top or either side of the screen in the September 2026 update. But unlike Windows 10, the taskbar cannot be repositioned by dragging it with a mouse; users must change its location in the Settings app.
Diego Baca, Microsoft’s vice president of design for Windows, said the decision reflects problems with the previous approach. Microsoft saw many accidental taskbar moves in Windows 10, when users clicked or interacted with the bar and unintentionally shifted it elsewhere.
Some power users have asked for a drag option, potentially with a lock setting to prevent unwanted movement. Baca argued that requiring users to unlock the taskbar before moving it would add extra steps to a feature that most people use infrequently. He also stressed that his explanation does not mean the possibility has been ruled out permanently.
For now, users who want drag-and-drop repositioning can turn to third-party tools, including Taskbar Location Options on GitHub and a Windhawk mod. Such utilities may stop working after Windows updates, however, and users should install them at their own risk.
Sources: TechRadar.