Where the taskbar goes and how to move it

The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of your Windows screen that holds your Start button, clock, and open programs. You can move it to the top, left side, or right side of your screen instead — Windows lets you drag it wherever you want. The process takes about 30 seconds and you can undo it just as fast if you change your mind.

The taskbar stays in one place by default because Windows locks it there. Before you can move it, you need to unlock it first. Once unlocked, you can drag the entire bar to a new position, and then lock it again so it stays put.

Key Takeaways

  • The 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 whichever side of the screen you want it on.
  • After moving it, lock the taskbar again by right-clicking and checking "Lock the taskbar" so it does not accidentally shift.
  • If the taskbar will not move, make sure you are dragging from an empty area of the bar, not from a button or icon.

Unlocking the taskbar so you can move it

Right-click on an empty part of the taskbar — somewhere that does not have a button, icon, or the clock. A menu will pop up with several options. Look for "Lock the taskbar." If that option has a checkmark next to it, the taskbar is currently locked.

Click on "Lock the taskbar" to uncheck it. The checkmark will disappear, and the taskbar is now unlocked. You will notice the taskbar may look slightly different — it might have a small handle or border that shows it can be moved. This is normal and means you are ready for the next step.

If you do not see "Lock the taskbar" in the menu at all, your taskbar is already unlocked and you can skip straight to dragging it.

Dragging the taskbar to a new location

Now that the taskbar is unlocked, position your mouse over an empty area of the taskbar — again, not on any button or icon. Click and hold down your mouse button, then drag the entire bar toward the edge of the screen where you want it to go. You can move it to the top, left side, or right side. As you drag, you will see the taskbar follow your mouse.

Release the mouse button when the taskbar is positioned where you want it. It will snap into place along that edge of the screen. The taskbar will now stay on that side, and all your buttons and icons move with it. If you moved it to the side, the taskbar will be vertical instead of horizontal, but it works exactly the same way.

Locking the taskbar back in place

Once the taskbar is where you want it, lock it again so it does not move by accident. Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and click "Lock the taskbar" to put the checkmark back. The taskbar is now locked to its new position.

Locking the taskbar is not required, but it prevents you from accidentally dragging it if your mouse bumps it while you are working. Most people lock it after moving it for this reason.

What to do if the taskbar will not move

If you unlocked the taskbar but it still will not drag, you are probably clicking on a button or icon instead of an empty area. The Start button, search box, open program buttons, and the clock are all clickable objects — dragging them does something else instead of moving the taskbar. Move your mouse to a spot between buttons or icons and try again.

Another reason the taskbar might not move is if it is pinned to the screen by a setting in Windows. This is rare, but if dragging does not work even from an empty area, try right-clicking the taskbar and looking for an option that says "Taskbar settings" or "Settings." From there you can check whether the taskbar is set to auto-hide or if there is another setting preventing movement.

Moving the taskbar back to the bottom

If you want to move the taskbar back to the bottom of the screen, the process is identical. Right-click an empty area, uncheck "Lock the taskbar," then drag the bar from its current position down to the bottom edge of the screen. Release the mouse button, and it will snap back to the bottom. Lock it again when you are done.

There is no penalty for moving the taskbar around — you can move it as many times as you want, and Windows will remember your choice the next time you restart your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move the taskbar on a Mac?

No. Apple's equivalent to the taskbar is called the Dock, and it cannot be moved to different sides of the screen. You can only move the Dock up and down along the bottom edge, or hide it completely. This is a difference between Windows and Mac operating systems.

Will moving the taskbar affect my programs or files?

No. Moving the taskbar only changes where the bar appears on your screen. Your programs, files, and everything else on your computer stays exactly the same. It is purely a visual change.

What if I drag the taskbar but it goes back to where it was?

This usually means the taskbar re-locked itself, or you did not drag it far enough toward the edge. Unlock it again, make sure you are dragging from an empty area, and drag all the way to the edge of the screen before releasing the mouse button.

Can I make the taskbar smaller or larger?

Yes, but that is a separate adjustment. You can resize the taskbar by positioning your mouse on the inner edge of the taskbar (the edge closest to the center of the screen) and dragging it inward or outward. The taskbar must be unlocked first.