Elain Brown Tech 04.12.2022 21:Apr PM EDT

Microsoft May Have Abandoned Movable Taskbars for Windows 11

Microsoft has been receiving feedback on the Windows 11 taskbar. Apparently, according to the Microsoft team, there were not enough user votes to alter the product.

Windows 11 removed the ability for its users to freely move the taskbar to the sides or the top of the screen, as they could in previous Windows versions of the operating system. A controversial change that Microsoft has introduced with the new operating system.

Microsoft's Windows 11 Taskbar

The Microsoft Team went on live for an AMA (ask me anything) on YouTube last week. During the AMA, the Windows development team answered questions regarding the operating system.

The new, centered Start Menu and the reduced functionality of the Windows taskbar have become one of the most talked about changes in Windows 11. both of which were widely criticized.

Previous versions of Windows allowed users to move the taskbar around so that it was pinned to the top, sides, and bottom of the screen, and the Start Menu was always left-aligned on the taskbar.

On the other hand, with Microsoft's Windows 11, the company removed the ability to relocate the taskbar.

However, when asked about the possibility of resurrecting the feature, Microsoft Head of Product Tali Roth responded that it is not currently a top priority due to the small number of users who have requested it.

According to Bleeping Computer, Tali Roth, Microsoft's Head of Product, stated that:

"When it comes to something like actually being able to move the taskbar to different locations on the screen, there's a number of challenges with that. When you think about having the taskbar on the right or the left, all of a sudden the reflow and the work that all of the apps have to do to be able to understand the environment is just huge.

And when you look at the data, while we know there is a set of people that love it that way and, like, really appreciate it, we also recognize that this set of users is really small compared to the set of other folks that are asking for other features. So at the moment we are continuing to focus on things that I hear more pain around."

However, bringing back the flexibility of the taskbar is one of the most requested features by the Windows 11 user base. The Microsoft Feedback Hub has received over 17,500 votes.

Changes to Microsoft Windows 11

Microsoft's Windows 11 has undergone huge changes, aside from moving the iconic Start menu to the center of the screen along with the Taskbar.

One of the most noticeable changes to the software is the way it looks and behaves on the screen. Windows 11 introduces a completely redesigned interface that is more similar to a Mac. It has a simple design with rounded corners and soft pastel colors to go with it, making it look good.

Another design and interface change that is highly noticeable is the desktop support.

According to CNET, Windows 11 will allow users to set up virtual desktops in a manner similar to that of Mac computers. It lets people switch between different desktops at the same time for personal, work, school, or gaming reasons.

In addition, another change that can be observed is a smoother transition from the monitor to the laptop when using the device.

Snap Groups and Snap Layouts are two new features in the new operating system. It is a collection of the apps that the user is currently using that sit in the taskbar and can be brought up or minimized at the same time to make switching between tasks more convenient.