The taskbar can sit on any edge of your screen
By default, Windows places the taskbar at the bottom of your screen, but you can move it to the top, left side, or right side instead. The process takes about 30 seconds and works the same way on Windows 10 and Windows 11. You will need to unlock the taskbar first, then drag it to where you want it.
Moving the taskbar is useful if you want more vertical space for your work, prefer the clock and system icons in a different location, or simply like a different layout. The taskbar will remember your choice the next time you restart your computer.
Key Takeaways
- The taskbar must be unlocked before you can move it — right-click the taskbar and uncheck "Lock the taskbar" if that option appears.
- Once unlocked, click and drag the taskbar from its current edge to the top, bottom, left, or right side of your screen.
- If the taskbar will not move, it is probably locked; check the right-click menu again to confirm the unlock worked.
- You can lock the taskbar again after moving it to prevent accidental dragging later.
How to unlock the taskbar
The taskbar is usually locked by default to keep you from moving it by accident. To unlock it, right-click on an empty area of the taskbar — click somewhere that does not have a program icon or the clock. A menu will appear with several options.
Look for the option that says "Lock the taskbar." If you see a checkmark next to it, the taskbar is currently locked. Click on "Lock the taskbar" to uncheck it and unlock the taskbar. If there is no checkmark, the taskbar is already unlocked and you can skip to the next section.
If you right-click and see a different menu with options like "Cascade windows" or "Show the desktop," you clicked on the wrong area. Try right-clicking again on the taskbar itself, away from any icons or buttons.
Moving the taskbar to a new location
Now that the taskbar is unlocked, you can drag it to a new edge. Click and hold on an empty area of the taskbar — the same spot where you right-clicked before — and drag it toward the edge where you want it to go. You will see the taskbar follow your mouse as you drag.
Release the mouse button when the taskbar reaches the edge you want. It will snap into place along that edge. The taskbar can sit on the top, bottom, left, or right side of your screen. If you drag it to the top, the clock and system icons will move to the top as well.
If the taskbar does not move when you drag it, it may have locked itself again. Go back and right-click to confirm it is still unlocked. Some Windows updates or settings changes can re-lock the taskbar without warning.
Locking the taskbar after you move it
Once the taskbar is in the position you want, you should lock it again to prevent yourself from moving it by accident. Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar again and click "Lock the taskbar." A checkmark will appear next to the option, showing that it is now locked.
With the taskbar locked, you can click and drag on it without worrying that you will accidentally move it. You can still use all the programs and features in the taskbar normally — locking only prevents the taskbar itself from sliding to a different edge.
What to do if the taskbar will not move
If you have unlocked the taskbar but it still will not move when you drag it, the problem is usually one of two things. First, make sure you are dragging from an empty area of the taskbar, not from a program icon, the search box, or the clock. Dragging from those areas will not move the taskbar.
Second, check whether the taskbar has locked itself again. Right-click on the taskbar and look at the "Lock the taskbar" option. If it has a checkmark, click it again to unlock. Some users report that the taskbar re-locks after certain Windows updates, so this is worth checking even if you unlocked it just moments before.
If the taskbar still will not move after you have confirmed it is unlocked and you are dragging from an empty area, restart your computer. A restart often clears temporary glitches that prevent the taskbar from responding to drag commands.
Moving the taskbar back to the bottom
If you move the taskbar to a different edge and later want to move it back to the bottom, the process is exactly the same. Right-click the taskbar, uncheck "Lock the taskbar," then click and drag the taskbar from its current location down to the bottom edge of your screen.
The taskbar will snap back into its default position at the bottom. All your pinned programs and settings will stay exactly as they were — moving the taskbar does not change anything except its location on your screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the taskbar smaller or larger when I move it?
Moving the taskbar to the left or right side makes it taller and narrower, which automatically changes how it looks. When the taskbar is on the left or right, program icons stack vertically instead of horizontally. You can also resize the taskbar by dragging its inner edge, but this works the same way whether the taskbar is at the bottom or on the side.
Will moving the taskbar affect my programs or files?
No. Moving the taskbar only changes where it appears on your screen. Your programs, files, and all your settings remain unchanged. You can move the taskbar back to the bottom at any time without losing anything.
What if I accidentally move the taskbar and do not know how to move it back?
Right-click on the taskbar, uncheck "Lock the taskbar," then drag it back to the bottom edge of your screen. If you are not sure which edge is which, try dragging it toward the bottom-left corner of your screen and release it there. The taskbar will snap to the nearest edge.
Does moving the taskbar work the same way on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes. Both versions use the same "Lock the taskbar" option and the same drag-to-move process. The taskbar looks slightly different between the two versions, but the way you move it is identical.