How to Customize Windows 11 Start Menu and Taskbar

Learn how to customize Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar settings after the September 2026 update. You can move the taskbar to any edge of the screen, shrink it, resize the Start menu, and reduce clutter in Windows Search.

Windows 11 has always looked cleaner than older Windows versions, but it also removed some of the customization controls people actually used. That changes with the September 2026 update.

Microsoft has begun adding back the ability to move the taskbar, make it smaller, choose a Start menu size, and limit web and Microsoft Store suggestions in Search. It is a useful update if you want a more traditional desktop layout, a cleaner laptop screen, or a Start menu that takes up less space. If Windows Search feels too busy, you can also read our guide on how to turn off Trending Now and web suggestions in Windows 11.

Customize Windows 11 Start Menu and Taskbar: Before You Start

First, make sure Windows 11 is up to date.

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Windows Update
3. Click Check for updates
4. Install the latest available cumulative update
5. Restart your PC if Windows asks you to

The new customization settings are tied to the September 2026 Windows 11 update for supported Windows 11 versions. Microsoft can enable some features gradually, though, so two fully updated PCs may not show every option at the same time. If you do not see one of the settings below, avoid registry hacks or third-party tools for now and check again after future cumulative updates.

If you are setting up or refreshing a PC, see our full guide on how to set up a new Windows 11 PC and keep it fast for additional security, privacy, performance, and cleanup recommendations.

Move the Windows 11 Taskbar

One of the biggest changes is the return of taskbar placement controls. You can now place the Windows 11 taskbar at the bottom, top, left, or right side of the screen.

Microsoft has been testing broader Start menu and taskbar changes through preview builds for months. You can catch up on the latest Windows 11 Insider updates with Start menu and taskbar improvements if you want an early look at features that may reach more PCs later.

To move the taskbar:

1. Open Settings
2. Click Personalization
3. Select Taskbar
4. Expand Taskbar behaviors
5. Find Taskbar position
6. Choose Bottom, Top, Left, or Right

Your taskbar should move immediately after selecting a position.

This is especially useful if you use a wide monitor. A vertical taskbar on the left or right can make better use of unused screen space, while a top-mounted taskbar may feel more natural if you are coming from Linux, macOS, or an older Windows setup.

Windows 11’s smaller taskbar and full Search box are currently limited to the top and bottom taskbar positions. If you move the taskbar to the left or right, some layout options may not be available.

Make the Taskbar Smaller

The same Windows 11 update adds an official small taskbar option. This reduces the height of the taskbar and shrinks its icons, which can be useful on smaller laptop displays, handheld PCs, or compact monitors.

To make the taskbar smaller:

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Personalization
3. Click Taskbar
4. Expand Taskbar behaviors
5. Find Taskbar size
6. Select Small

Windows will reduce the taskbar height and icon size while keeping access to the Start button, pinned apps, Search, notifications, and the system tray.

If you use a 1080p laptop or a smaller secondary display, this is one of the easiest ways to reclaim a little extra vertical space without changing display scaling. Microsoft says the smaller taskbar is available when the taskbar is positioned at the top or bottom of the screen.

If your main problem is running out of room for pinned apps, Microsoft has also tested Windows 11 taskbar icon scaling, which can automatically shrink taskbar icons when the taskbar becomes full.

Change Windows 11 Start Menu Size

Windows 11 now gives you more control over the Start menu itself. Instead of relying only on the default adaptive layout, you can choose a smaller or larger Start menu.

To change the Windows 11 Start menu size:

1. Open Settings
2. Click Personalization
3. Select Start
4. Find Start menu size
5. Choose Small, Automatic, or Large

Here is what each option does:

Start menu size	Best for
Small	Laptops, smaller displays, and users who want a less intrusive Start menu
Automatic	Most users who want Windows to adjust the layout automatically
Large	Large monitors, touchscreen PCs, and people who keep many pinned apps in Start

The larger Start menu can make pinned apps, recent files, and the all-apps view easier to work with. The smaller option is better if you only open Start occasionally and want more of your desktop or active windows visible.

You can also adjust what appears inside Start. In Settings > Personalization > Start, look for controls that let you show or hide sections such as pinned apps, recent items, and the all-apps list. Some PCs may also offer an option to hide the account name and profile picture for a cleaner Start menu layout.

For more details on Start menu layout changes, app-list views, recommendation controls, and lock screen widgets, check out our coverage of Windows 11 Start menu customization options.

Clean Up Windows Search Results

The September 2026 update also adds more useful Search controls. If you prefer local files and installed apps over Bing results, web links, and Store suggestions, you can reduce that extra content directly in Settings.

To customize Windows 11 Search:

1. Open Settings
2. Click Privacy & security
3. Select Search
4. Look for the setting that controls whether web and Microsoft Store suggestions appear alongside local results
5. Turn it off if you want Search to focus more on local apps, files, and Settings results

Note: This setting is rolling out gradually, so it may not appear on every fully updated Windows 11 PC right away.

This can make the Start menu search experience feel much cleaner. Instead of being pushed toward web searches or Store listings, you can focus more on local apps, files, Settings pages, and documents.

Want to take this further? Our guide on how to turn off Trending Now and Bing suggestions in Windows 11 explains how to remove Search Highlights and reduce web-driven content in Start and taskbar search.

You can also change how Search appears on the taskbar:

1. Right-click an empty part of the taskbar
2. Select Taskbar settings
3. Under Taskbar items, find the Search setting
4. Choose Search box, Search icon and label, Search icon only, or Hide

The compact Search icon is a good middle ground if you want quick access without giving up taskbar space. If you almost always press the Windows key and type to search, you can hide the taskbar Search button completely.

A Simple Windows 11 Layout to Try

If you want a cleaner desktop without installing Start menu replacements or other customization apps, try this combination:

• Set Taskbar position to Bottom or Top
• Change Taskbar size to Small
• Set Start menu size to Small
• Turn off Web Searches and Microsoft Store suggestions
• Use the Search icon only option instead of the full Search box

That setup keeps Windows 11 looking modern while cutting down on wasted screen space and distracting search suggestions.

If you prefer jumping directly to Windows settings pages, bookmark our list of Windows 11 Settings Run commands, including commands for Taskbar, Start, Themes, Colors, and other personalization controls.

The best part is that these are official Windows Settings options. You do not need ViveTool, registry edits, Explorer patches, or third-party taskbar software just to make the desktop feel more like your own. As Microsoft continues the rollout, keep checking Settings after future Windows Updates if a particular option is missing on your PC.