Where the taskbar goes and how to move it

The taskbar — the bar at the bottom of your screen that holds your Start button, clock, and open programs — can be moved to the top, left, or right side of your screen instead. Windows lets you drag it to any edge, and the process takes about 30 seconds. If your taskbar is locked (which prevents accidental moves), you'll need to unlock it first.

Moving the taskbar is purely a preference. Some people move it to the side to get more vertical space on their screen, especially on smaller monitors. Others move it to the top to match how they used an older computer. The taskbar works the same way no matter where it sits.

Key Takeaways

  • Your 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 dragging doesn't work, your taskbar may be in tablet mode or your user account may not have permission to change it.
  • You can lock the taskbar again after moving it to prevent accidental shifts when you bump it with your mouse.

Unlock your taskbar first

By default, Windows locks the taskbar to prevent you from moving it by accident. You need to unlock it before you can drag it anywhere. Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar — not on a button or icon, but on the gray space between them.

A menu will pop up. Look for the option that says "Lock the taskbar." If you see a checkmark next to it, that means the taskbar is currently locked. Click on "Lock the taskbar" to remove the checkmark and unlock it. If there is no checkmark, your taskbar is already unlocked and you can skip this step.

Drag the taskbar to its new location

Once the taskbar is unlocked, moving it is straightforward. Click and hold on an empty area of the taskbar — again, not on a button or the clock, but on the blank gray space. Drag it toward the edge of your screen where you want it to go. You'll see the taskbar follow your mouse as you move it.

Release the mouse button when the taskbar reaches the edge you want. It will snap into place on that side. The taskbar will now stay on that edge until you move it again. All your buttons, icons, and the clock move with it — nothing gets lost.

Lock the taskbar again to prevent accidental moves

After you've moved the taskbar to where you want it, you should lock it again. This prevents the taskbar from shifting if you accidentally click and drag on it while using your computer. Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar again and click "Lock the taskbar" to add the checkmark back.

Once locked, the taskbar will stay in place no matter how you move your mouse around it. You'll need to unlock it again if you ever want to move it to a different location.

What to do if dragging doesn't work

If you've unlocked the taskbar but dragging it doesn't move it, a few things might be preventing it. First, check that you're dragging from an empty area of the taskbar. If you click on the Start button, a program icon, or the clock, the drag won't work — you'll just open that button or program instead.

Second, your computer might be in tablet mode, which locks the taskbar in place. If you're on a touchscreen device, swipe in from the right edge of your screen to open the action center, then look for a "Tablet mode" toggle. Turn it off if it's on. Third, if you're using a work or school computer, your administrator may have locked the taskbar through group policy, which means you won't be able to move it at all.

Moving the taskbar on different Windows versions

The steps above work on Windows 10 and Windows 11, which are the most common versions. On older versions like Windows 7, the process is identical — unlock, drag, and lock. The right-click menu looks slightly different, but the "Lock the taskbar" option is in the same place.

If you're using Windows on a Mac through Boot Camp or a virtual machine, the taskbar behaves the same way. The only exception is if you're using a Chromebook or a Mac running macOS — those systems don't have a Windows taskbar at all, so these steps won't apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Unlock the taskbar, drag it upward to the top edge of your screen, and release. It will snap into place at the top and work exactly as it does at the bottom. You can move it back down the same way.

What if my taskbar is stuck and won't move even after I unlock it?

Make sure you're dragging from an empty gray area, not from a button or icon. If that doesn't work, restart your computer — sometimes the taskbar gets stuck in a locked state even when the setting says it's unlocked. If it still won't move after a restart, your computer's administrator may have locked it.

Will moving the taskbar affect my programs or files?

No. Moving the taskbar only changes where the bar appears on your screen. All your programs, files, and settings stay exactly the same. You can move it back to the bottom anytime.

Does moving the taskbar to the side give me more screen space?

Yes, slightly. Moving the taskbar to the left or right side frees up a horizontal strip of space at the bottom of your screen, which can be useful on smaller monitors. However, the taskbar will then take up vertical space on the side instead.

Can I hide the taskbar instead of moving it?

Yes. Right-click the taskbar, select "Taskbar settings," and turn on "Automatically hide the taskbar." The taskbar will disappear until you move your mouse to that edge of the screen. This frees up more space than moving it does.