Unlock Taskbar

Question

Unlock Taskbar

Nick 0

I see there is a fix to allow the taskbar in Windows 11 to move from the bottom of the screen to either the left, right or top of the screen. How do I get access to this update? It's currently not available on my version of Windows 11.

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Alvise Cervellati 7,070 Independent Advisor

Hi @Nick

Reset completely window update in this way:

proceed in this way, press the WIN + X buttons and open terminal (admin), now type

net stop bits

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptsvc

ren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 oldcatroot2

net start cryptsvc

del /f /q %windir%\WindowsUpdate.log

del /f /s /q %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\*.*

Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%ApplicationDataMicrosoftNetworkDownloaderqmgr*.dat"

del %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\edb.log

net start bits

net start wuauserv

after each command press enter

if you want you can create a text file from notepad, save it as All files type and give it a .bat extension

then run it as administrator

after doing so, try again with the updates and install all updates suggested

let me know

Elvis

Nick 0 Reputation points

2026-10-27T13:43:23.38+00:00

I don't have admin access so I'll need to ask for assistance but thank you for the info. I'll check back in if it does the trick.
Nick 0 Reputation points

2026-10-27T13:44:29.4733333+00:00

I don't have admin access so I'll need to ask for assistance but thank you for the info. I'll check back in if it does the trick.
Alvise Cervellati 7,070 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-27T16:19:55.6633333+00:00

Ok, If this is a company computer, it is normal—and appropriate—that you do not have administrator access; in any case, please bring this to the attention of the system administrator

Thank you

Answer 2

The movable taskbar is officially available, but it is delivered gradually; enable early updates in Windows Update, install all offered updates, restart, and then select the taskbar position in Settings.

Get the feature

Open Start > Settings > Windows Update.
Turn on Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available.
Select Check for updates.
Install all offered cumulative and configuration updates, then restart Windows. Enabling that switch prioritizes the PC for non-security features, although availability can still vary by device during a controlled rollout.^1^
After restarting, open: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar position
Choose Bottom, Top, Left, or Right.

Check whether your Windows version is eligible

Press Windows key + R, enter winver, and select OK.

Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2: The feature was introduced in KB5120998, beginning with OS builds 26100.9278 and 26200.9278. That update applies to all editions of those versions, but the taskbar feature uses a gradual rollout.^2^
Windows 11 26H1: The feature is included in KB5124006, OS build 28000.3086, also through a gradual rollout.^3^
Windows 11 26H2: Keep Windows Update enabled and install 26H2 when offered. Microsoft distributes 26H2 progressively to eligible 24H2 and 25H2 devices and may temporarily withhold it where a compatibility safeguard applies.^4^

If Taskbar position remains absent after installing available updates and restarting, there is no separate unlock switch or supported registry setting to force it. The device may not yet have received the controlled feature rollout, or a compatibility safeguard may be delaying the update. Leave Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available enabled and check Windows Update again later.

When positioned on the left or right, the Search box and smaller taskbar options are not currently supported; those options work only with top or bottom placement.^2^

References