WINDOWS 11

How to Move the Windows 11 Taskbar to a Vertical Position

This guide outlines three methods to position the Windows 11 taskbar vertically: Registry Edit, StartAllBack, and ExplorerPatcher. Each approach offers unique benefits, from built-in system modifications to third-party customization tools, catering to different user preferences and technical comfort levels.

Deepak Yadav

08/25/2024 20:00:00
Registry Edit Method
Restore
  1. Create a System Restore Point:

    • Press Win + R, type "sysdm.cpl", hit Enter
    • Go to "System Protection" tab
    • Click "Create" and name your restore point
  2. Restore
  3. Open Registry Editor:

    • Press Win + R, type "regedit", hit Enter
    • Confirm any User Account Control prompts
  4. Navigate to:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3

  5. Modify "Settings" value:

    • Right-click "StuckRects3", select "Export" for backup
    • Double-click the "Settings" value
    • Change 5th byte in second row (usually 03):
      • 00 for left side
      • 02 for right side
    • Click "OK" to save
  6. Restart Explorer:

    • Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)
    • Find "Windows Explorer" under "Processes"
    • Right-click and select "Restart"
  7. Restore

Be extremely cautious with registry edits. Incorrect modifications can cause system instability. If issues occur, use the exported registry file to restore settings.

Using StartAllBack
  1. Download and Install StartAllBack:

    • Visit the official StartAllBack website
    • Download and run the installer as administrator
    • Follow installation wizard and restart when prompted
  2. Restore
  3. Configure StartAllBack:

    • Open StartAllBack from the Start menu
    • Go to the "Taskbar" tab
  4. Set Vertical Taskbar:

    • Find "Taskbar location on screen"
    • Select "Left" or "Right" from the dropdown
  5. Customize Appearance:

    • Adjust "Taskbar style" for visual preferences
    • Modify "Icon size" for vertical layout
    • Set "Combine taskbar buttons" for app grouping
  6. Apply and Test:

    • Click "Apply" to see real-time changes
    • Test the new vertical taskbar layout

StartAllBack is a paid tool with a 30-day trial. It offers extensive customization beyond vertical taskbar placement, including Start menu modifications.

ExplorerPatcher Method
Restore
  1. Download ExplorerPatcher:

    • Visit ExplorerPatcher GitHub releases page
    • Download latest "ep_setup.exe"
  2. Restore
  3. Install ExplorerPatcher:

    • Run "ep_setup.exe" as administrator
    • Follow installation prompts
    • Reboot your system when finished
  4. Restore
  5. Access Settings:

    • Right-click on the taskbar
    • Select "Properties" (added by ExplorerPatcher)
  6. Restore
  7. Enable Vertical Taskbar:

    • In Properties window, go to "Taskbar"
    • Find "Position on screen"
    • Choose "Left" or "Right"
  8. Restore
  9. Optimize Layout:

    • Adjust "Taskbar style" for sleeker look
    • Modify "Icon spacing" for vertical distribution
    • Experiment with "Start button style" options
  10. Restore
  11. Apply Changes:

    • Click "Apply" and "OK"
    • Taskbar should now be vertical
  12. Restore

ExplorerPatcher is open-source and free, offering a balance between customization and simplicity. It may need updates after major Windows changes to maintain compatibility.

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