Can Microsoft Power Toys be used to fix the Windows 11 Taskbar etc at the bottom of my screen?

No—Microsoft PowerToys does not replace or restore the Windows 11 taskbar or classic Start menu in the way StartAllBack does; use Windows’ native taskbar settings if your current build offers the customization you need.

Check the current Windows option first

Recent Windows 11 updates add native taskbar positioning on supported builds:

1. Open Settings → Personalization → Taskbar.
2. Expand Taskbar behaviors.
3. Look for Taskbar position.
4. Select Bottom, Top, Left, or Right.
5. If desired, use Taskbar size to select a smaller taskbar.

These settings are available in Windows 11 24H2/25H2 preview build 26100.9278/26200.9278 and Windows 11 26H1 build 28000.3086, with phased availability. The search box and small-taskbar option are supported only when the taskbar is at the top or bottom.^1^^2^

If Taskbar position is absent, check Settings → Windows Update for an applicable update. Because this feature is gradually rolled out, installing the listed update does not necessarily make it available immediately.^2^

What PowerToys can and cannot do

PowerToys provides utilities such as FancyZones for arranging application windows, Keyboard Manager, PowerToys Run, mouse tools, and File Explorer enhancements. Its current feature list does not include a taskbar replacement, classic Start menu, or Windows shell replacement.^3^

Therefore:

• Moving or resizing the taskbar: Use the native settings above when available.
• Left-aligning taskbar icons: Open Taskbar settings → Taskbar behaviors → Taskbar alignment.^4^
• Restoring a Windows 7/10-style Start menu or other legacy shell behavior: PowerToys cannot do this. StartAllBack remains a third-party customization tool and is not officially supported by Microsoft.^5^
• Managing desktop window layouts: PowerToys FancyZones may complement the taskbar, but it does not modify it.^3^

Before removing StartAllBack, verify that the native Taskbar position, Taskbar size, and Start-menu options cover every feature you currently use. PowerToys itself is not a substitute for the remaining StartAllBack features.

References

1. August 27, 2026—KB5120998 (OS Builds 26200.9278 and 26100.9278) Preview
2. September 22, 2026—KB5124006 (OS Build 28000.3086) Preview | Microsoft Support
3. PowerToys: Utilities to customize Windows
4. Customize the Taskbar in Windows | Microsoft Support
5. move my taskbar position to the right side of the screen - Microsoft Q&A