Where the taskbar goes and how to move it
The taskbar — the bar at the bottom of your screen with the Start button, clock, and open programs — can be moved to the top, left, or right edge of your screen instead. Windows lets you drag it to whichever position works best for your setup, whether that's because of your monitor layout, how you use your desk, or just personal preference.
The taskbar is locked in place by default to prevent accidental moves. You have to unlock it first, then drag it to a new location, then lock it again. The whole process takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click the taskbar itself (not a button on it) and uncheck "Lock the taskbar" to make it movable.
- Once unlocked, click and drag the taskbar from its current edge to the top, bottom, left, or right side of your screen.
- Lock the taskbar again after moving it by right-clicking and checking "Lock the taskbar" so you do not bump it accidentally.
- The taskbar will resize itself to fit the new edge — it becomes tall and narrow on the left or right, and wide and short on the top or bottom.
Unlocking the taskbar so you can move it
Right-click directly on the taskbar itself — the gray or dark bar, not on any button or icon inside it. A menu will pop up with several options. Look for "Lock the taskbar" near the bottom of that menu. If there is a checkmark next to it, the taskbar is currently locked. Click on "Lock the taskbar" to remove the checkmark and unlock it.
If you do not see "Lock the taskbar" in the menu, you may have right-clicked on a button or app icon instead of the empty space on the taskbar. Try right-clicking on a blank area of the taskbar, away from any icons or the clock.
Dragging the taskbar to a new location
Once the taskbar is unlocked, click and hold on the taskbar itself (again, the empty gray area, not a button). While holding the mouse button down, drag the taskbar toward the edge of the screen where you want it to go. You can move it to the top, left, right, or bottom of your screen.
As you drag, you will see the taskbar preview move with your cursor. Release the mouse button when the taskbar is positioned where you want it. The taskbar will snap into place along that edge and resize itself to fit — it becomes a vertical bar on the left or right, or a horizontal bar on the top or bottom.
Locking the taskbar in its new position
After you have moved the taskbar, lock it again so you do not move it by accident. Right-click on the taskbar and click "Lock the taskbar" to add the checkmark back. The taskbar is now fixed in place and will not move if you bump it with your cursor.
You can unlock and move it again anytime using the same steps. There is no limit to how many times you can move it, and moving it does not affect any of your programs or files.
What happens to your open programs when you move the taskbar
Moving the taskbar does not close or change any of your open programs. All your windows stay open and in the same place on your screen. The taskbar straightforward relocates, and your programs adjust slightly to use the full screen space that is now available.
If you had a window maximized (taking up the full screen), it will resize slightly to avoid overlapping the taskbar in its new location. If you had windows in smaller sizes, they stay exactly where they are.
Taskbar position and screen space trade-offs
The bottom position is the default and works well for most people because it uses screen space that is often wasted anyway. The top position puts the taskbar where your eyes already go to see the clock and notifications. The left or right positions save vertical space on widescreen monitors, which can be useful if you work with documents or spreadsheets that need height.
On very wide monitors, moving the taskbar to the left or right can make it easier to reach the Start button without moving your mouse as far. On tall monitors, keeping it at the bottom or top leaves more horizontal space for your work. Try different positions for a few days to see what feels natural for how you use your computer.
Troubleshooting a taskbar that will not move
If the taskbar will not move when you try to drag it, it is still locked. Right-click on the taskbar again and make sure "Lock the taskbar" does not have a checkmark next to it. If it does, click it to unlock the taskbar and try dragging again.
If you see "Lock the taskbar" but it appears grayed out or you cannot click it, your computer may have a policy set by an administrator that prevents taskbar changes. This sometimes happens on work computers. In that case, you would need to contact your IT support or administrator to change the setting.
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 resize to a horizontal bar along the top. Lock it again when you are done.
Will moving the taskbar affect my programs or files?
No. Moving the taskbar only changes where the taskbar appears on your screen. All your open programs, windows, and files stay exactly as they are. Your programs will straightforward adjust to use the screen space that is now available.
What if I move the taskbar and then want to move it back?
Unlock the taskbar the same way you did before, drag it back to its original position (usually the bottom), and lock it again. You can move it as many times as you want.
Does moving the taskbar to the side save screen space?
It can, depending on your monitor. On a widescreen monitor, moving the taskbar to the left or right gives you more horizontal space for documents or web pages. On a tall monitor, keeping it at the bottom or top leaves more vertical space. Try both and see which works better for your setup.
Why is my taskbar locked and I cannot unlock it?
If the "Lock the taskbar" option is grayed out or will not respond, your computer may have administrator restrictions in place. This is common on work computers. Contact your IT support to ask if taskbar locking can be changed.