The Windows taskbar is one of the most important elements of your desktop. It provides quick access to apps, notifications, and system tools. However, a default taskbar may not fit everyone’s workflow. Customizing the taskbar can improve productivity, make your PC look better, and give you faster access to the apps and functions you use most.
Whether you use Windows 10 or Windows 11, this guide will show you step-by-step how to customize your taskbar in 2026, with tips, tricks, and hidden features that many users don’t know.
Why Customize the Taskbar?
Customizing your taskbar has several advantages:
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Faster access to apps and tools you use daily
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Cleaner and more organized desktop
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Personalized appearance that suits your style
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Better multitasking with pinned apps, widgets, and shortcuts
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Enhanced productivity by keeping important notifications visible
Customizing your taskbar isn’t just about looks—it’s about efficiency and convenience.
1. Pin Apps to the Taskbar
Pinning frequently used apps ensures quick access without searching.
Steps:
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Open the app you want to pin.
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Right-click the app icon in the taskbar.
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Select Pin to taskbar.
Tip: You can also drag and drop apps directly onto the taskbar. This keeps your desktop clean and reduces clicks.
2. Rearrange Taskbar Icons
Organizing icons allows you to prioritize the apps you use most.
Steps:
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Click and hold an app icon on the taskbar.
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Drag it left or right to rearrange its position.
Tip: Place your most-used apps near the Start menu for faster access.
3. Resize the Taskbar (Windows 11)
Windows 11 allows you to adjust taskbar size for comfort.
Steps:
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Right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
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Scroll to Taskbar behaviors.
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Choose Small, Medium, or Large taskbar size.
A smaller taskbar maximizes screen space, while a larger taskbar makes icons easier to see and click.
4. Customize Taskbar Color and Transparency
Personalizing your taskbar colors enhances your desktop experience.
Steps:
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Open Settings > Personalization > Colors.
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Choose Accent color or enable Automatically pick accent color from background.
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Turn on Transparency effects to make the taskbar blend with your wallpaper.
Transparent taskbars look modern, while accent colors help highlight active apps.
5. Hide or Show Taskbar Automatically
If you want more screen space, Windows allows auto-hide for the taskbar.
Steps:
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Right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
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Enable Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode.
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Move your cursor to the bottom to reveal it when needed.
This is especially useful on laptops or smaller screens.
6. Use Taskbar Widgets
Widgets provide quick information without opening apps.
Steps (Windows 11):
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Click the Widgets icon on the taskbar.
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Add widgets like Weather, Calendar, News, or To-Do.
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Resize or rearrange widgets as needed.
Widgets keep important information accessible at a glance.
7. Manage Taskbar Notifications
Control which apps show notifications to reduce clutter.
Steps:
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Open Settings > System > Notifications.
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Choose which apps can display notifications on the taskbar.
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Turn off notifications for apps you don’t need alerts from.
A clean notification area keeps your taskbar organized and distraction-free.
8. Change Taskbar Location
You can move the taskbar to a different edge of your screen.
Steps (Windows 10):
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Right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
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Under Taskbar location on screen, choose Bottom, Top, Left, or Right.
Tip: Top taskbars give a unique desktop look, while left/right placements can mimic certain workflows from other operating systems.
9. Combine or Never Combine Taskbar Buttons
Windows lets you group app windows for clarity.
Steps:
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Open Taskbar settings.
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Scroll to Combine taskbar buttons.
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Choose Always, When taskbar is full, or Never.
Tip: Combining buttons reduces clutter for multiple windows, while never combining is useful for quick visual reference.
10. Pin Websites or Folders to Taskbar
Taskbar isn’t just for apps—you can pin websites and folders for fast access.
Steps:
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Open your browser and go to the website.
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In Chrome or Edge, click Settings > More Tools > Pin to Taskbar.
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For folders, right-click the folder > Show more options > Pin to taskbar.
This trick saves time for frequent tasks like opening cloud storage folders or favorite sites.
11. Enable Small Taskbar Buttons (Optional)
For minimalists or small screens, using small icons saves space.
Steps:
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Right-click the taskbar > Taskbar settings.
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Enable Use small taskbar buttons.
Smaller buttons make your desktop less crowded and give you more room for open windows.
12. Use Taskbar Toolbars for Quick Access
Toolbars provide shortcuts to folders, programs, or the desktop.
Steps:
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Right-click the taskbar > Toolbars > New toolbar.
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Choose a folder to appear as a taskbar toolbar.
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Click the arrows to expand and access its contents quickly.
Toolbars are helpful for developers, students, or anyone with frequent folder access needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I customize the taskbar in Windows 10 and 11?
Yes, most settings are similar, though Windows 11 includes widgets and more visual options.
Can I pin websites directly to the taskbar?
Yes, using Chrome or Edge, you can pin websites for one-click access.
Does auto-hide affect notifications?
No. Notifications still appear, but the taskbar remains hidden until you hover over it.
Can I move the taskbar to a different monitor?
Yes. In multi-monitor setups, you can choose which screen displays the taskbar in Taskbar settings > Multiple displays.
Will customizing the taskbar slow my PC?
No. Customizations like colors, transparency, or pinned apps are lightweight and do not affect performance.
Conclusion
Customizing your Windows taskbar in 2026 is a simple yet powerful way to improve productivity, organize your workflow, and personalize your desktop. From pinning apps and websites, managing notifications, and rearranging icons, to enabling widgets and transparency, taskbar customization makes your PC work for you, not the other way around.
By applying these tips, you can create a clean, functional, and visually appealing taskbar, giving you quicker access to your most-used apps and tools. Whether you are a beginner or a power user, a customized taskbar enhances efficiency and keeps your desktop organized.