How do I make the Windows 11 Taskbar always on top?

TiredSoul 201

I cant seem to access my taskbar when it is hidden by auto-hide, and when I use the shortcuts, then switch to my tabs, it immediately disappears instead of going down. Every article I've read are for older windows versions, and use taskbar properties, but I don't know how to access taskbar properties on Windows 11, as right clicking it doesn't have all the options it used to.

Mario Liebisch 51 Reputation points

2021-12-14T13:38:53.567+00:00

The very same issue has been bugging me for weeks. I originally thought it's a side-effect by Battlefield 2042's fullscreen mode (which sometimes crashes the ShellExperienceHost handling the regular Start Menu (but not the Search version accessible through Win+S), but only recently noticed it's actually (most likely) caused by the task bar no longer being always on top.

I'm pretty sure it hasn't been that way when Windows 11 released, but I might be wrong. It made me go back to the always visible task bar, since it's just annoying when you can't access anything with the bar not popping up (due to being behind other windows and the Start menu not always showing).

Guess I'm writing a small script to just manipulate the window style on my own…
Fredrik Lidström 31 Reputation points

2022-01-14T14:49:45.547+00:00

I'm having this problem as well. The taskbar is frequently obscured by other windows which makes it quite unusable. Have experienced this ever since I upgraded to Windows 11, but I have not found any solution to it. When searching I find answers regarding moving the taskbar to the top of the screen, which has nothing to do with the problem I am experiencing.

I don't understand how this apparent bug is flying under the radar?!

It's becoming very apparent that Windows 11 is the new Windows 8, with changes no one ever asked for or wanted. Here's hoping Windows 12 will be the new Windows 10 where they try to fix most of their mistakes.
ElkkuOne 11 Reputation points

2022-03-02T08:37:01.207+00:00

I had the same problem, and went to github to find solution and found someone that made a fix to atleast GeForce window broblem, so i don't have to turn it off ingame owerlay
https://github.com/dechamps/RudeWindowFixer
JUAN M 1 Reputation point

2022-06-03T16:22:15.503+00:00

I want to move the taskbar back to the bottom of the screen, since what i meant for always on top was on top of all windows. But when I change the regedit back to number 03, press ok, then restart, the taskbar remains on top of the screen. When I check the regedit again, i see that the number goes back to 01. What should i do?
T Mac 5 Reputation points

2023-02-21T22:07:45.0566667+00:00

I am having this same issue. All the sudden it just stopped showing up when I have windows open on full screen.
Steve Olsen 0 Reputation points

2023-12-01T16:57:49.28+00:00

This worked for me:

https://windowsreport.com/windows-11-taskbar-always-on-top/

It is basically changing a registry value in:

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

In "Settings"

On line 00000008, byte 5, change 03 to 01...

Then in Task Manager restart Windows Explorer.
Behzad 0 Reputation points

2024-02-09T11:28:19.95+00:00

same issue here, very annoying, worst when the keyboard covers the taskbar or you swipe up to see the taskbar but the start menu pops up, and cannot do anything before u close the stat menu. also most of the time must manually open the virtual keyboard when using this waste of money as a tablet. it has been my worst Microsoft experience

22 answers

DaPistolShrimp 11 Reputation points

2023-01-03T18:12:33.027+00:00
What I found to have fixed it, at least temporarily is to
1. Go to Taskbar Settings (by right clicking the taskbar)
2. Expand Taskbar behaviors
3. Uncheck, then recheck "Show taskbar on all displays"
This seem to reset the taskbar to always in focus and on top.
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alonso ucf 1 Reputation point

2023-01-08T13:36:49.103+00:00

To make the taskbar always on top in Windows 11, follow these steps:
Open Start Menu
Search for regedit and open the Registry Editor.
Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Expand Software
Expand Microsoft
Expand Windows
Expand CurrentVersion
Expand Explorer
Click on StuckRects3
Double-click the Settings.
in the sixth column of the second row. Click the 03 value, press the Delete key
The value 01 is to move the Taskbar at the top of the screen.
Click the OK button.
Once you complete the change. Restart Your computer.
https://www.getwindowstips.com/change-taskbar-location-windows-11/
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travis klein 10 Reputation points

2023-04-24T13:53:18.2266667+00:00

stop mucking this thread with your nonsense, make your own thread if you want the taskbar to appear on top of the monitor, we are talking about on top of everything else, not on the monitor

Bill Robinson 10 Reputation points

2025-09-17T17:35:21.95+00:00

Exactly. By "on top" we mean "in front" of all windows, not at the top of the screen area.

Christopher Prost 21 Reputation points

2025-10-27T21:59:12.94+00:00

I think there is a misinterpretation. "Always on Top" does not relate to the Y axis or vertical position or top of the screen but the Z axis or how close it is to you like a stack. If someone is using an app in full screen mode, it is impossible to use the task bar because the app in full screen mode allegedly has priority over this operating system function. To duplicate the concern, 1. turn on "Automatically hide the Taskbar" in "Taskbar behaviors" settings. 2. Open a document in full screen lets say a photo in the Paint app because everyone has it. 3. Now try to do anything else like use the "Start" menu.
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IOwnEverything YoureNotHappy 0 Reputation points

2023-03-09T18:26:20.9+00:00

same/similar issue/complaint here I am so annoyed by the fact that they wont allow taskbar to be AT TOP (not necessarily the same complaint y'all are reporting here) however I am so frustrated about it I spent like 2+ hours back-grading to Windows 10 once I realized they removed the ability to set the taskbar/menubar or whatever you want to call it, any where but "bottom" or "left" I always use to keep the taskbar at the top as I find that this is not only WAY more efficient for anything including productivity or otherwise, and on TOP of that it also helps to reduce the "Text Neck" that a lot of MD's Chiropractors and the like are now referring to even looking at the middle of the screen compared to the top you can start to really notice if you're oriented towards looking down because of the taskbar being at the bottom versus at the top how much of a difference it makes
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David Pod 5 Reputation points

2023-05-23T04:46:13.12+00:00

Now that my organization has made an executive decision to mandate Window 11 be pushed to all users I guess I'm going to have to file for disability because I won't be able to perform my critical functions without pain anymore.

Here is the context.

Over 10 years ago when I was struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome, I made ONE change to my computer setup and navigation practices that for the first time actually helped elevated the stress in my wrist more than and "ergo" mouse pads, over priced cumbersome "ergo" designed roller ball mouse, fancy 4, 5 , and 6 button mouse designs. I even had a chair with fancy arm, lower lumbar support, and number of other stupid stuff that didn't help.

The one change I made was I moved my task bar from the BOTTOM of the screen to the TOP of the screen. In the first few days, I discovered that the stress in my wrist was due to moving from repeatedly navigating from program to program on the bottom of the screen then back up to the top where all the drop down menus where located. Having them on all along the TOP of the screen shortened the total distance my wrist moved by 60-75% per day. The relief was immediate and profound! I actually had several other team members complain about their wrist fatigue as well and after I explained my success story they also couldn't believe how big a difference it made for them not just in there pain and discomfort, but their productivity. DUH! Put the work where you can reach it and the work gets done!

Pretty basic ergonomic principle, but Microsoft I'm sure has bigger concerns than the users discomfort or safety when using their product.

A big thanks to Microsoft! I'm sure they saved millions if not billions in software development. Hopefully they sort this out sooner than later.

Cheers!

Bill Robinson 10 Reputation points

2025-09-17T17:39:52.9033333+00:00

Wrong thread. By "on top", we mean "in front" of all other windows, NOT at the top of the screen area. At some point decades ago, Windows culture started calling the front-most window "on top". It was nails on the chalkboard for me back then, and in this thread the misnomer has blossomed into full-blown, needles confusion. "In front" should NEVER have been called "On Top".
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Wesley Boyer 0 Reputation points

2023-04-06T18:09:51.81+00:00

There appears to be a problem with what is meant by ON TOP. My problem is that I want the taskbar to be at the TOP OF THE SCREEN only on monitor #2 which is physically above monitor #1, with the taskbar at the bottom of the screen on the lower monitor [#1]. I used to be able to do this in Win 10 but now unable to do it with Win 11 Pro. Microsoft HELP CHAT had no solution.
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Mario Liebisch 51 Reputation points

2023-04-06T19:07:02.89+00:00

As far as I know that feature currently isn't possible in Windows 11 – and not what's discussed in this thread–, but I've heard it's something they've planned for one of the next "feature drops" (I guess in fall of 2023).

travis klein 10 Reputation points

2023-04-24T13:50:56.1933333+00:00

nobody cares what part of the screen you want your taskbar to appear, go make your own thread dont muck up this one with your noonsense
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How do I make the Windows 11 Taskbar always on top?

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