The taskbar moves to any edge of your screen in three clicks

The Windows taskbar — the bar at the bottom of your screen with the Start button, clock, and open programs — can sit on the left, right, top, or bottom of your screen. Most people leave it at the bottom because that is where it starts, but moving it takes seconds and costs nothing.

The taskbar is locked in place by default to prevent accidental moves. You unlock it first, then drag it to whichever edge you want. If you change your mind later, you can move it back the same way. The entire process takes less than a minute, and nothing on your computer changes except where you see the taskbar.

Key Takeaways

  • The taskbar must be unlocked before you can move it, which you do by right-clicking it and selecting "Lock the taskbar" to toggle the lock off.
  • Once unlocked, you drag the taskbar by its blank edge (not by an icon or button) to move it left, right, or to the top of your screen.
  • After you move the taskbar to where you want it, you should lock it again to prevent bumping it accidentally while you work.
  • Moving the taskbar does not change what programs are open or stored there — it only changes where on your screen you see it.
  • You can move the taskbar back to the bottom at any time using the same unlock-drag-lock process.

Unlock the taskbar first

Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar — somewhere that does not have an icon, button, or the clock. A menu will pop up. Look for the option that says "Lock the taskbar" and click it. The checkmark next to it will disappear, which means the taskbar is now unlocked.

If you do not see "Lock the taskbar" in the menu, your taskbar is already unlocked. You can move straight to the next step. The unlock option only appears when the taskbar is currently locked, so if it is missing, you are ready to drag.

Drag the taskbar to a new location

Click and hold on the blank part of the taskbar — the same empty area where you right-clicked — and drag it toward the edge of the screen where you want it to go. You will see the taskbar follow your mouse. Drag it all the way to the left edge, right edge, or top of the screen, depending on where you want it.

Release the mouse button when the taskbar is where you want it. It will snap into place along that edge. The taskbar will now stay there until you move it again. You may notice that the taskbar changes shape slightly depending on which edge it is on — this is normal and does not affect how it works.

Lock the taskbar to keep it in place

Right-click the taskbar again in an empty area and click "Lock the taskbar." A checkmark will appear next to it, which means it is locked. This prevents you from accidentally dragging it while you are working.

Locking the taskbar does not prevent you from using it — you can still click buttons, open programs, and see the time. It only stops the taskbar itself from moving. Once locked, you would have to unlock it again before you could move it to a different edge.

What to do if the taskbar will not move

If you unlocked the taskbar but it still will not drag, you may have clicked on an icon or button instead of the blank area. Try again, but this time right-click on the very edge of the taskbar where there are no icons — usually near the left or right end, or between the clock and the edge. The blank area is usually small, so aim for the corners or the space between visible elements.

On some computers, the taskbar is set to hide automatically when you are not using it. If your taskbar disappears, move your mouse to the edge of the screen where you moved it, and it should reappear. You can change this setting by right-clicking the taskbar, selecting "Taskbar settings," and toggling "Automatically hide the taskbar" off if you want it to stay visible all the time.

Moving the taskbar back to the bottom

If you want to move the taskbar back to the bottom — where it started — follow the same steps: unlock it, drag it to the bottom edge of the screen, and lock it again. There is no penalty for moving it back and forth as many times as you want.

Some people move the taskbar to the side to make room for more windows on the screen, or because they prefer having it there. Others move it back because they are used to it at the bottom. The choice is yours, and you can change it whenever you want without affecting anything else on your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does moving the taskbar affect my files or programs?

No. Moving the taskbar only changes where you see it on your screen. All your files, programs, and settings stay exactly the same. The programs pinned to the taskbar and the programs currently open do not move or change.

Can I move the taskbar to the top of the screen?

Yes. Drag the taskbar upward to the top edge of your screen the same way you would drag it to the left or right. It will snap into place along the top edge and work exactly as it does at the bottom.

What if I accidentally locked the taskbar before moving it?

Right-click the taskbar again and click "Lock the taskbar" to unlock it. Then drag it to where you want it and lock it again. You can unlock and lock it as many times as you need.

Will moving the taskbar slow down my computer?

No. Moving the taskbar does not affect how fast your computer runs or how much memory it uses. It is only a visual change to where the taskbar sits on your screen.

Why is my taskbar stuck and will not unlock?

If the "Lock the taskbar" option does not appear when you right-click, your taskbar may already be unlocked. Try dragging it directly. If it still will not move, restart your computer and try again. In rare cases, a Windows update can temporarily affect taskbar behavior.