On Windows 11, all the taskbar icons, including the Start menu icon, are center-aligned. This not only gives Windows 11 a unique look but also feels refreshing and goes quite well with the redesigned Start menu. That being said, not everyone is a fan of the center-aligned taskbar icons. Either because you are too used to the left-aligned taskbar icons or prefer the Windows 10 style taskbar icon placement. Thankfully, you can easily re-align the taskbar icons to the left in Windows 11 and restore the classic look. To do that, all you have to do is modify the taskbar behavior settings via the Settings app. It is a pretty simple process.
In this quick and easy guide, I will show you how to align the Start menu and taskbar icons to the left in Windows 11. Let’s get started.
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Align the Taskbar Icon to the Left Side Using Settings
- Right-click on the taskbar.
- Select “Taskbar settings“.
- Click on the “Taskbar behaviors” option.
- Select “Left” from the “Taskbar alignment” dropdown menu.
- Close the Settings app.
- With that, the Start menu and taskbar icons are moved to the left side.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
First, we need to open the taskbar options page in the Settings app. To do that, right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and select the “Taskbar settings” option. You can also get to this page using the Settings app. For that, press the “Windows key + I” keyboard shortcut, go to the “Personalization” tab on the sidebar, and click “Taskbar” on the right page.
In the Taskbar Settings page, click the “Taskbar behaviors” section to expand it. Next, select “Left” from the “Taskbar alignment” dropdown menu. As soon as you change the setting, it is saved, and the taskbar alignment is shifted from center to left.
That is all. The Start menu and the Taskbar icons will appear on the left side. Just like in Windows 10.
If you ever want to revert to center-aligning the taskbar icons, select “Center” from the “Taskbar alignment” dropdown menu on the Taskbar Settings page.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.
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