How to Customize the Windows 11 Taskbar, Start Menu, and Desktop

Windows 11 introduced a sleek, modern UI — but you don’t have to settle for the default look. From repositioning the taskbar to tweaking the Start Menu and desktop icons, Windows 11 offers many ways to tailor your PC’s appearance and behavior.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to fully customize your Windows 11 experience in just a few minutes.

 Customize the Windows 11 Taskbar

The centered taskbar is one of Windows 11’s biggest design changes, but you can still personalize it.

Move the Taskbar to the Left

1. Right-click on the Taskbar

2. Select Taskbar settings

3. Scroll to Taskbar behaviors

4. Under Taskbar alignment, choose Left

Add or Remove Taskbar Icons

• Navigate to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar

• Toggle on/off icons like:

  • Search

  • Task view

  • Widgets

  • Chat (Microsoft Teams)

Resize the Taskbar (Registry Tweak)

Windows 11 doesn’t allow resizing natively, but here’s a registry tweak:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, hit Enter

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced


3. Right-click → New > DWORD (32-bit) → Name it TaskbarSi

4. Set value:

   • 0 = small

   • 1 = medium (default)

   • 2 = large

5. Restart File Explorer or reboot

   Backup your registry first.

Customize the Start Menu

Change Layout (Pinned, Recommended)

• Go to Settings > Personalization > Start

• Toggle on/off:

  • Show recently added apps

  • Show most used apps

  • Show recently opened items

🔲 Unpin Apps You Don’t Use

• Open Start, right-click on an app tile → Unpin from Start

➕ Pin Your Favorite Apps

• Right-click any app → Pin to Start

• Rearrange by dragging tiles

Personalize the Desktop

Set a Custom Wallpaper

• Right-click desktop → Personalize

• Choose a wallpaper or Browse to upload your own

Use Light or Dark Theme

• Settings > Personalization > Colors

• Choose:

  • Light

  • Dark

  • Custom (light for apps, dark for taskbar, etc.)

Change Icon Size and Spacing

• Right-click desktop → View → Choose:

  • Small icons

  • Medium icons

  • Large icons

You can also hold Ctrl and scroll your mouse wheel to adjust icon size dynamically.

Enable Desktop Icon Grid or Snap

• Right-click desktop → View

• Toggle Auto arrange icons or Align icons to grid

Use Third-Party Tools for Advanced Customization

If built-in options aren’t enough, try:

Start11 (by Stardock)

• Bring back Windows 10-style Start menu

• Taskbar positioning (top, sides)

🔗 https://www.stardock.com/products/start11/

TaskbarX

• Center icons, control transparency, animations

• Free and highly customizable

🔗 https://github.com/ChrisAnd1998/TaskbarX

 Rainmeter

• Fully customizable desktop widgets and skins

🔗 https://www.rainmeter.net

Customizing Windows 11 doesn’t just make your system look better — it can improve your workflow and comfort. Whether you’re a minimalist or power user, these tweaks will help make your PC feel truly yours.