Guide to Moving a Taskbar on Various Desktop Environments

Integrating a taskbar into your daily work might seem straightforward, but minor adjustments can enhance your work experience. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to move a taskbar on your desktop, tailored for various operating systems such as Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and Linux-based systems. This article is designed to be SEO-friendly, providing detailed instructions and an easy-to-follow guide for readers looking to optimize their desktop environment.

Windows 10

Customizing the position of the taskbar on a Windows 10 desktop involves several steps. Follow the instructions below to move your taskbar wherever you prefer.

Open the Settings app by clicking on the gear icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Alternatively, you can press Win I.

Verify that the taskbar is not locked by ensuring that the "Lock the taskbar" option is unchecked (this option is not visible by default, but you can unlock it by checking it and then unchecking it again).

Click on the "Taskbar" section under the "System" tab.

In the settings, you’ll see an option to "Change the height of the taskbar," but to move the taskbar, look for the drop-down arrow and select "Move the taskbar." Choose the desired location (top, bottom, left, or right) and the taskbar will immediately change position.

Windows 8.1

Moving the taskbar in Windows 8.1 is a slightly different process. These steps will guide you through the necessary adjustments:

Right-click on a blank section of the taskbar and a customization menu will pop up. Ensure that the taskbar is not locked.

Locate the option that says "Move the taskbar" or "Change taskbar position" and click on it.

Choose the preferred placement (top, bottom, left, or right) and the taskbar will adjust accordingly.

Click on "Apply" and then "OK" to close the window. The taskbar can now be reset to its original position by right-clicking the taskbar and repeating the customization process.

Windows 7

For Windows 7 users, moving the taskbar is a simple drag-and-drop process:

Click on a blank section of the taskbar with your left mouse button.

Hold down the left mouse button and drag the taskbar to your desired position (top, bottom, left, or right side of the screen).

Release the mouse button, and the taskbar will settle into its new location.

To reset the taskbar to its original position, click a blank section of the taskbar and drag it back to the bottom of the screen.

Customizing the Taskbar

Going beyond moving the taskbar, other customization options include changing the taskbar color and adding/removing features:

To change the color of the taskbar, right-click on the taskbar, select Properties, type "Taskbar" into the search bar, and select it. Navigate to the Colors tab, pick a new color, and click "Apply."

To add or remove features, right-click the taskbar and select "Taskbar settings." Manage your taskbar's features, such as the notification area, preview corners, and more.

Other Desktop Environments

Depending on your desktop environment, the process to move the taskbar might vary:

Windows 11

As of Windows 11, the taskbar can no longer be moved from the default left or right side of the screen. However, you can still customize other aspects of the taskbar as described above.

Linux Mint

In Linux Mint, you can move the taskbar by right-clicking on it and selecting "Move." Then choose the new position for the taskbar.

Pop!_OS with Dash to Dock

In Pop!_OS using the Dash to Dock extension, you can change the edge on which the dock is displayed. Open the Dash to Dock settings and select the desired screen edge.

KDE Plasma

In KDE Plasma, you can enable the configuration mode by clicking the settings button in the corner of the panel. Then, you can drag and drop to change the position of the taskbar area.

This guide covers all major desktop environments and provides a step-by-step approach to moving and customizing the taskbar. Whether you’re a seasoned user or new to your operating system, the process outlined above can make your desktop environment more tailored to your preferences.