How To Change Windows 11 Taskbar To Windows 10

When it comes to personalizing your computer's user interface, the taskbar is a crucial element that can greatly impact your productivity and overall user experience. While Windows 11 introduced a new taskbar design, some users may prefer the familiar look and functionality of the Windows 10 taskbar. If you find yourself longing for the simplicity and familiarity of Windows 10, fear not. There are ways to change your Windows 11 taskbar back to the Windows 10 style.

To change your Windows 11 taskbar to resemble Windows 10, you can start by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting "Taskbar settings" from the dropdown menu. From there, you can toggle off the "Center the taskbar" option to move it back to the familiar left-aligned position. Additionally, you can enable the "Use small taskbar buttons" option to reduce the size of the icons, creating a more compact appearance. These simple adjustments can help you recreate the look and feel of the beloved Windows 10 taskbar on your Windows 11 device.

Customizing the Taskbar in Windows 11 to Resemble Windows 10

The release of Windows 11 introduced several changes to the operating system's user interface, including a redesigned taskbar. While many users appreciate the new design and features of Windows 11, some prefer the look and feel of the Windows 10 taskbar. Fortunately, it is possible to customize the taskbar in Windows 11 to resemble the Windows 10 version. This article will guide you through the steps to achieve a Windows 10-style taskbar in Windows 11.

Customizing the Position and Size of the Taskbar

The first step in changing the Windows 11 taskbar to resemble Windows 10 is adjusting its position and size. In Windows 11, the default taskbar is centered at the bottom of the screen, which is different from the left-aligned position in Windows 10. To change the position, right-click on an empty space in the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings" from the context menu.

In the Taskbar settings, scroll down to the "Taskbar behaviors" section and click on the drop-down menu next to "Taskbar alignment." Select the "Left" option to align the taskbar to the left side of the screen, just like in Windows 10. You can also adjust the taskbar size by using the "Taskbar height" slider.

Once you have selected the desired position and size, the taskbar will resemble the Windows 10 version in terms of its placement on the screen.

Customizing Taskbar Icons

In addition to adjusting the taskbar position and size, you can also customize the appearance of the icons on the taskbar to resemble the Windows 10 style. Windows 11 introduced new centered icons by default, but you can change them to align to the left.

To change the taskbar icon alignment, right-click on an empty space in the taskbar, go to "Taskbar settings," and scroll down to the "Taskbar behaviors" section. Click on the drop-down menu next to "Taskbar alignment" and select "Left" to align the icons to the left, similar to Windows 10.

In addition to aligning the icons to the left, you can also choose to hide certain icons from the taskbar. To do this, go to "Taskbar settings" and scroll down to the "Notification area" section. Click on the "Turn system icons on or off" link and toggle off the icons you want to remove from the taskbar.

• Calendar
• Volume
• Network

Enabling Taskbar Buttons to Combine When Full

In Windows 11, the taskbar buttons are set to always combine when full, which means they will bunch together and take up less space. To change this behavior to resemble Windows 10, you can enable the taskbar buttons to combine only when full, just like in the previous operating system.

Right-click on an empty space in the taskbar, go to "Taskbar settings," and scroll down to the "Taskbar behaviors" section. Toggle off the "Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode" option. This will prevent the taskbar from auto-hiding and make it always visible, similar to Windows 10.

Next, click on the "Combine taskbar buttons" drop-down menu and select the "When taskbar is full" option. With this setting, the taskbar buttons will only combine when there is no more space available, ensuring each button has its own dedicated space.

Adding Quick Launch Icons to the Taskbar

In Windows 11, the Quick Launch area was replaced with the new Widgets feature. However, if you prefer the Quick Launch icons from Windows 10, you can add them to the taskbar.

To add Quick Launch icons, right-click on an empty space in the taskbar and go to "Taskbar settings." Scroll down to the "Taskbar behaviors" section and click on the "Turn system icons on or off" link. This will open the "Turn system icons on or off" settings.

Scroll down to the "Quick actions" section and toggle on the icons you want to add to the taskbar. These icons include:

• Bluetooth
• Focus assist
• Note
• Energy

Using Third-Party Software to Customize the Taskbar

If the built-in customization options in Windows 11 are not sufficient for creating a Windows 10-style taskbar, you can also consider using third-party software to achieve the desired look and functionality.

There are several software options available that allow for extensive taskbar customization, including the ability to change icon size, spacing, animation, and add additional functionalities such as customizable shortcuts or toolbars.

Some popular third-party software options for taskbar customization include:

• Start10
• ObjectDock
• Classic Shell
• RocketDock

These software options provide a wide range of customization possibilities, allowing you to create a taskbar that closely resembles the Windows 10 version or even customize it further to your liking.

Conclusion

By adjusting the position and size of the taskbar, customizing the taskbar icons and their alignment, enabling taskbar buttons to combine when full, and adding Quick Launch icons or using third-party software for advanced customization, you can transform the Windows 11 taskbar into a Windows 10-style taskbar. Whether you prefer the new design of Windows 11 or the familiarity of Windows 10, these customization options allow you to create a taskbar that suits your preferences and workflow.

Changing the Windows 11 Taskbar to Windows 10

If you prefer the classic Windows 10 taskbar design over the new Windows 11 taskbar, you can make a few adjustments to give your Windows 11 desktop a familiar look. Here are two methods to change the Windows 11 taskbar to Windows 10:

Method 1: Adjust Taskbar Settings

1. Right-click on the desktop taskbar and select "Taskbar settings."

2. In the "Taskbar behaviors" section, enable the "Taskbar alignment" option and select "Left," just like in Windows 10.

3. Enable "Show small taskbar buttons" to make them more compact, similar to Windows 10.

Method 2: Use Taskbar Customization Software

If the built-in settings in Windows 11 are not sufficient, you can try third-party software to customize your taskbar further. Some popular options include Start10, TaskbarX, and FalconX. These tools provide additional customization options, allowing you to revert and modify the taskbar appearance to resemble Windows 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about changing the Windows 11 taskbar to resemble the Windows 10 taskbar:

1. Can I change the taskbar in Windows 11 to look like the taskbar in Windows 10?

Yes, you can change the taskbar in Windows 11 to resemble the taskbar in Windows 10. While the default taskbar in Windows 11 has a centered layout, you can change it back to the left-aligned layout similar to Windows 10.

To change the taskbar layout in Windows 11, right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings" from the context menu. In the taskbar settings, choose the "Alignment" option and select "Left" to align the taskbar to the left, just like in Windows 10.

2. Can I add the "Show Desktop" button to the Windows 11 taskbar?

Yes, you can add the "Show Desktop" button to the Windows 11 taskbar just like in Windows 10. The "Show Desktop" button allows you to quickly minimize all open windows and view the desktop.

To add the "Show Desktop" button to the taskbar in Windows 11, right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings." In the taskbar settings, scroll down to the "Notification area" section and click on "Taskbar behaviors." Toggle on the "Show Desktop" button option to add it to the taskbar.

3. Is it possible to hide the People and Chat icons in the Windows 11 taskbar?

Yes, you can hide the People and Chat icons in the Windows 11 taskbar if you prefer a cleaner look or if you do not use these features frequently.

To hide the People and Chat icons in the taskbar, right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings." In the taskbar settings, scroll down to the "Notification area" section and click on "Manage taskbar." Toggle off the options for People and Chat to hide the icons.

4. How can I enable the Windows 11 system tray icon on the taskbar?

The Windows 11 system tray icon, also known as the notification area, can be enabled on the taskbar if it's currently disabled.

To enable the Windows 11 system tray icon, right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings." In the taskbar settings, scroll down to the "Notification area" section and toggle on the option for "Taskbar corner overflow." This will enable the system tray icon on the taskbar.

5. Can I resize the Windows 11 taskbar to a smaller size?

Yes, you can resize the Windows 11 taskbar to a smaller size if you prefer a more compact appearance.

To resize the taskbar in Windows 11, right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings." In the taskbar settings, scroll down to the "Size" section and adjust the slider to make the taskbar smaller. You can slide it all the way to the left for the smallest size, or adjust it to your desired size.

Changing the Windows 11 Taskbar to resemble the Windows 10 Taskbar is possible but requires a few additional steps. By following the instructions provided in this article, Windows 11 users can modify the appearance and functionality of their taskbar to closely resemble that of Windows 10.

First, users need to right-click on the taskbar and select 'Taskbar settings'. Then, they can switch off the 'Align to center' option and customize the taskbar buttons to show labels. Next, users should enable the 'Use small taskbar buttons' option for a more compact look. Finally, users can navigate to 'Start Menu settings' and select the 'Use Start full screen' option to restore the Windows 10 Start menu experience.