Where your taskbar goes and how to move it

The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of your Windows screen that holds your Start button, open programs, and the clock. You can move it to the top, left side, or right side of your screen instead — Windows lets you drag it or lock it in place so it does not shift by accident.

The method depends on whether your taskbar is currently locked. A locked taskbar cannot be moved or resized until you unlock it. Most people find their taskbar is already unlocked and can be moved in seconds by dragging. If dragging does not work, you will need to unlock it first through the taskbar settings.

Key Takeaways

  • An unlocked taskbar can be moved by clicking and dragging it to whichever edge of the screen you want — top, bottom, left, or right.
  • If dragging does not work, your taskbar is locked, and you must unlock it through Settings before you can move it.
  • Locking your taskbar after moving it prevents accidental shifts and resizing when you bump it with your mouse.
  • The taskbar will snap to the edge you drag it toward and automatically resize to fit that position.

Unlocking your taskbar so it can be moved

Before you can move your taskbar, it must be unlocked. Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar — anywhere that does not have a button or icon on it. A menu will appear with several options.

Look for the option that says "Lock the taskbar" or "Unlock the taskbar" depending on your Windows version. If you see "Lock the taskbar", your taskbar is already unlocked and you can skip to the next section. If you see "Unlock the taskbar", click that option to unlock it. The taskbar is now ready to move.

Dragging your taskbar to a new location

Once your taskbar is unlocked, click and hold on an empty area of the taskbar — the space between icons works best. Drag it 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.

When you reach the edge you want, release the mouse button. The taskbar will snap into place and automatically adjust its shape to fit the new position. If you move it to the left or right side, it will become tall and narrow instead of wide and short. The taskbar will stay in this new position until you move it again.

Locking your taskbar after moving it

After you have moved your taskbar to where you want it, lock it so it cannot shift accidentally. Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar again and select "Lock the taskbar". A checkmark will appear next to the option, showing that it is now locked.

A locked taskbar cannot be moved or resized by dragging. This prevents you from bumping it with your mouse and accidentally shifting it while you work. You can still use all the buttons and programs on the taskbar normally — locking only prevents movement.

What to do if your taskbar will not move

If you try to drag your taskbar and nothing happens, it is locked. Go back to the right-click menu and make sure "Unlock the taskbar" is selected. Sometimes the menu option is worded differently depending on your Windows version — look for any option with the word "lock" in it.

If you have unlocked the taskbar and dragging still does not work, try right-clicking on a different empty area. Some taskbar buttons or icons may be blocking your drag. Move your cursor further away from any icons and try again. If the taskbar still will not move after unlocking, restart your computer — this fixes most taskbar problems.

Moving the taskbar on older Windows versions

Windows 10 and Windows 11 both use the drag method described above. If you are using Windows 7 or an older version, the process is the same: unlock the taskbar by right-clicking it, then drag it to the edge you want. The menu options may look slightly different, but the unlock and drag steps work the same way.

If you cannot find an unlock option in the right-click menu on an older version, try clicking and dragging the taskbar directly without unlocking first. Some older Windows versions did not require an unlock step. If dragging works when ready, your taskbar was already unlocked.

Resizing your taskbar after moving it

When your taskbar is unlocked, you can also resize it by dragging its inner edge. If your taskbar is at the bottom, position your cursor at the top edge of the taskbar until it changes to a resize cursor (a line with arrows pointing up and down). Then drag upward or downward to make the taskbar taller or shorter.

If your taskbar is on the left or right side, the resize cursor appears at the inner edge closest to the center of your screen. Drag toward or away from the center to make the taskbar wider or narrower. Lock the taskbar when you are happy with the size so it does not change accidentally.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Unlock the taskbar, click and drag it upward to the top edge of your screen, then release. It will snap into place at the top and become a horizontal bar again. Lock it afterward to keep it there.

What happens to my open programs when I move the taskbar?

Nothing. Your open programs stay open and running. Moving the taskbar only changes where the taskbar itself appears on your screen — it does not close or affect any of your work.

Why does my taskbar keep moving back to the bottom?

Your taskbar is probably locked. Unlock it, move it to where you want it, and then lock it again. If it keeps moving even after you lock it, restart your computer. A restart usually fixes taskbar position problems.

Can I hide my taskbar instead of moving it?

Yes. Right-click the taskbar, select "Taskbar settings", and turn on "Automatically hide the taskbar". The taskbar will disappear when you are not using it and reappear when you move your mouse to that edge of the screen.

Does moving the taskbar affect my computer's speed?

No. The taskbar position is just a display setting. Moving it has no effect on how fast your computer runs or how much memory it uses.