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To customize the Windows 11 taskbar, right-click an empty area and select Taskbar settings. From there, you can choose which taskbar features appear, align icons left or center, manage system-tray icons and overflow, and adjust taskbar behavior. You can also reach Quick Settings and notifications with keyboard shortcuts.
Open Taskbar settings
Right-click a blank area of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. The main controls are grouped under Taskbar items, System tray icons, Other system tray icons, and Taskbar behaviors. Labels and availability can vary by Windows 11 build, device, or management policy. Microsoft’s taskbar guide documents the Windows 11 options.
Choose which taskbar features appear
Open Taskbar items to configure features such as Search and Task view. Use the relevant switches to show or hide the items you do not need. This changes their taskbar visibility; it is separate from controlling notifications or stopping an app from running.
Show, hide, and move system-tray icons
Windows separates selected built-in tray controls from app icons. An icon moved into overflow is still available there; hiding it from the always-visible area does not, by itself, disable its app or stop background activity.
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Configure built-in tray controls
In Taskbar settings, open System tray icons. Depending on the device, options can include Pen Menu, Touch keyboard, and Virtual Touchpad. Turn on the controls you want available in the tray.
Manage app icons and the overflow menu
Open Other system tray icons to choose which app icons appear and whether Windows uses the hidden-icons overflow menu. You can also drag an icon between the visible system tray and the overflow area. If an icon is not visible, select the overflow arrow to check the hidden area.
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Align taskbar icons and change taskbar behavior
Move icons left or center
In Taskbar settings, expand Taskbar behaviors, then set Taskbar alignment to Left or Center. Windows 11’s built-in Settings do not offer an option to move the taskbar to the top or sides. Older Windows 10 instructions about unlocking and dragging the taskbar to another edge do not apply to Windows 11.
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Hide the taskbar or adjust other behaviors
In the same Taskbar behaviors section, look for options such as automatically hiding the taskbar, showing badges, and displaying the taskbar on multiple screens. Select the behavior you want if it is available on your device. With automatic hiding enabled, the taskbar reappears when you move the pointer to its screen edge.
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Use Quick Settings without adding taskbar clutter
Select the network, volume, or battery area at the right end of the taskbar to open Quick Settings, or press Windows key+A. You can move and arrange its elements to suit your preferences, but Windows does not provide a setting to remove Quick Settings from the taskbar.
Adjust the clock, calendar, and notification area
Open the calendar and notifications
Select the clock or notification bell to open the calendar and notification area, or press Windows key+N.
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Show or hide the time and date
Right-click the clock, select Adjust date and time, then use Show time and date in the System tray to change whether they appear. To display seconds, enable Show seconds in system tray clock if that option is available. Microsoft notes that showing seconds uses more power.
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These shortcuts can help when you prefer not to use the mouse or touch:
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- Windows key+B: move to the hidden-icons area. Use the arrow keys to move among tray items and Enter to activate one.
- Windows key+A: open Quick Settings.
- Windows key+N: open the notification and calendar area.
See Microsoft’s taskbar navigation guidance for keyboard-accessibility details.
Manage notifications separately from tray visibility
Showing or hiding an app’s system-tray icon does not silence its notifications. To change notification delivery or Do Not Disturb, open Windows notification settings and adjust the relevant app or system options. Microsoft’s notifications and Do Not Disturb guidance explains those controls. The exact options can depend on the Windows version, app, device policy, or configuration.
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