On ordinary Windows 11 installations, the built-in Taskbar alignment setting changes where icons sit on the bottom bar; it does not move the taskbar to a screen edge. Microsoft is testing native top, bottom, left, and right positioning in Insider Experimental builds. On stable installations, use a shell customization tool such as StartAllBack, Start11, or ExplorerPatcher for a vertical taskbar.
There are three practical options:
- Use Microsoft’s native taskbar-position feature on an Insider Experimental build that includes it.
- Install a shell customization tool such as StartAllBack, Start11, or ExplorerPatcher.
- Avoid the old
StuckRects3registry hack, which is not a supported or dependable method on current Windows 11 builds.
First, check whether your Windows 11 build supports vertical taskbars
Microsoft is testing native taskbar positioning in Windows Insider Experimental builds. On supported builds, the taskbar can be placed on the top, bottom, left, or right edge of the display.
The feature is documented for the Experimental channel, including build 26300.8493. It is not a generally available feature on ordinary Windows 11 installations, so the setting may not appear on your computer.
Use the native setting on a supported Insider build
- Right-click an empty area of the taskbar.
- Select Taskbar settings.
- Expand Taskbar behaviors.
- Find the taskbar-position control. Its wording may change while the feature is being tested.
- Choose Left or Right for a vertical taskbar. The control also offers Top and Bottom.
You can also open the same page through Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors.
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Windows adjusts related elements, including Start, Search, tooltips, flyouts, and animations, for the selected edge. If you do not see a position selector, your build may not include the feature. Joining the Insider program does not guarantee that it will appear immediately, because Microsoft may roll out Experimental features gradually.
Known limitations of the native feature
The Experimental implementation is useful for testing but has documented limitations:
- Auto-hide: It does not yet work when the taskbar is placed on an alternate edge.
- Tablet taskbar: The tablet-optimized taskbar is not supported in alternate positions.
- Touch: Gestures for a left- or right-positioned taskbar are still being developed.
- Search: The full Search box is not supported in alternate positions; Windows displays a Search icon instead.
- Multiple monitors: Microsoft was still evaluating whether each monitor could use a different taskbar position.
- Drag and drop: Behavior was still under evaluation in the Experimental implementation.
Do not confuse icon alignment with taskbar position
On ordinary Windows 11 installations, open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and find Taskbar alignment. Its choices are:
| Setting | Result |
|---|---|
| Center | Places Start and the taskbar icons near the center of the bottom taskbar. |
| Left | Places Start and the taskbar icons on the left side of the bottom taskbar. |
Selecting Left does not move the taskbar to the left side of the screen. It only moves the icons from the center of the bottom bar to its left side.
The associated registry value is:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\TaskbarAl
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Microsoft documents TaskbarAl as follows:
0 = left-aligned icons; 1 = centered icons
It does not provide a supported value for placing the Windows 11 taskbar at the top, left, or right edge.
Set a vertical taskbar with StartAllBack
StartAllBack is a Windows shell customization utility for users who want a Windows 10-style taskbar and Start menu in Windows 11. Its product page lists support for moving the taskbar to the top, left, or right edge.
Install StartAllBack
You can install it from an elevated PowerShell window with WinGet:
winget install StartIsBack.StartAllBack --scope machine
After installation:
- Open the StartAllBack configuration window. It may open automatically after setup.
- Open the section for the taskbar.
- Find the taskbar-position, taskbar-edge, or equivalent placement control.
- Choose Left or Right.
- Apply the change and restart Explorer if the utility asks you to do so.
The exact labels can vary with the installed version and taskbar style. If the taskbar disappears after changing styles, sign out and back in, or restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager.
Rank #3
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StartAllBack modifies parts of the Windows shell rather than using a native Windows setting. Windows feature updates can therefore require a newer release. Its release history includes compatibility fixes for Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, Insider builds, and later updates. Update StartAllBack after a major Windows upgrade before troubleshooting the taskbar.
Set a vertical taskbar with Start11
Start11 from Stardock is another option. Start11 v2.5 added vertical taskbar support, allowing the taskbar to dock on the left or right side. Stardock also says taskbars can be positioned independently on each desktop in a multi-monitor setup.
- Install Start11 from Stardock and complete its setup.
- Open the Start11 configuration window.
- Select the Taskbar section.
- Enable or configure enhanced taskbar options if required by your selected Start11 style.
- Choose the left or right taskbar position.
- Review multi-monitor settings if you want different taskbar behavior on different displays.
Start11 is a paid application with a trial period. Its taskbar controls also cover button grouping, resizing, alignment, and multi-monitor behavior. Because it supplies the taskbar rather than relying entirely on the standard Windows 11 implementation, update it after a major Windows feature update.
Set a vertical taskbar with ExplorerPatcher
ExplorerPatcher restores a Windows 10-style taskbar implementation and exposes additional controls through its Properties window. It is configurable, but its behavior depends on the Windows build in use.
Installation and configuration
- Open the ExplorerPatcher project’s Releases page on GitHub.
- Download
ep_setup.exefor an Intel or AMD-based PC. Useep_setup_arm64.exeon a Snapdragon or other ARM64 system. - Run the installer.
- Right-click the taskbar and select Properties.
- Open the Taskbar section.
- Use Taskbar style to select the available classic taskbar implementation.
- Configure the position using the taskbar options shown by your installed version.
ExplorerPatcher warns that some features may be unavailable on some Windows versions. If the position setting is missing, the selected taskbar implementation or your Windows build may not support it.
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Uninstall ExplorerPatcher
If an update causes shell problems, uninstall it from its Properties window or Windows’ installed-app controls. The project also documents this command:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
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Alternatively, rename ep_setup.exe to ep_uninstall.exe and run the renamed file. Other routes include Control Panel > Programs and Features and Settings > Apps.
Why the old StuckRects3 registry trick is not recommended
Older Windows guides often instruct users to edit this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3
They then modify the binary Settings value, commonly replacing a position byte such as 03 with 01. That method was used with earlier taskbar implementations and is not a supported, dependable way to create a vertical taskbar on current Windows 11.
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Possible results include:
- The taskbar remains at the bottom.
- The change works until Explorer restarts and then reverts.
- The taskbar becomes invisible or visually corrupted.
- The tweak works on one Windows build but fails after a feature update.
- The result differs between the newer Windows 11 taskbar and a legacy taskbar implementation.
Microsoft’s documented Windows 11 taskbar registry settings cover options such as alignment, auto-hide, and grouping. They do not document a supported retail setting for the taskbar’s screen-edge position. Do not use StuckRects3 as the primary solution for this task.
Which method should you use?
| Situation | Best choice | Important trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| You are testing Windows Insider Experimental builds | Native Taskbar settings | Experimental limitations and possible feature changes. |
| You want a third-party option that supports screen-edge placement | StartAllBack | It modifies the Windows shell and may need updates after feature upgrades. |
| You need per-desktop multi-monitor positioning | Start11 | It is paid after its trial period. |
| You want a broader Windows 10-style taskbar replacement | ExplorerPatcher | Feature availability varies by Windows version. |
| You want to avoid third-party software | Keep the standard bottom taskbar, or use an eligible Insider build | Ordinary Windows 11 installations do not expose a supported vertical-position setting. |
Sources and version notes
Microsoft’s documentation distinguishes TaskbarAl icon alignment from taskbar-edge positioning. Microsoft’s Insider announcement describes the Experimental taskbar-position feature and its limitations. StartAllBack, Start11, and ExplorerPatcher document their respective third-party implementations and compatibility requirements. Check each project’s current release page before installing, because Windows shell changes can make older versions stop working.
FAQ
Can I move the Windows 11 taskbar to the left side without installing an app?
Not on an ordinary Windows 11 installation. The built-in Left alignment option moves the icons to the left side of the bottom taskbar; it does not move the entire taskbar to the display’s left edge. Native positioning is being tested in Insider Experimental builds.
What is the safest way to get a vertical taskbar on Windows 11?
Use a maintained third-party tool such as StartAllBack, Start11, or ExplorerPatcher, downloaded from its official site or project release page. Keep the tool updated after Windows feature updates. These tools modify or replace parts of the shell, so compatibility can vary by Windows version.
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Does the TaskbarAl registry value move the taskbar vertically?
No. TaskbarAl controls icon alignment: 0 places icons on the left of the bottom taskbar and 1 centers them. It does not support a left- or right-edge taskbar.
Does the StuckRects3 registry hack still work on Windows 11?
It is not a reliable or supported method for current Windows 11. It can fail, revert, or leave the taskbar invisible or corrupted, particularly after Explorer restarts or Windows feature updates.
Can I use a different vertical taskbar position on each monitor?
Start11 states that taskbars can be positioned independently on each desktop in a multi-monitor setup. Microsoft’s native Experimental implementation was still evaluating per-monitor positions. StartAllBack and ExplorerPatcher may differ by version and Windows build.
The Bottom Line
On ordinary Windows 11 installations, built-in settings cannot create a vertical taskbar. If your Insider Experimental build includes the new position control, open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and select Left or Right. Otherwise, use a maintained utility such as StartAllBack, Start11, or ExplorerPatcher. TaskbarAl changes only icon alignment, and the old StuckRects3 edit is not a modern supported solution.
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