Feeling overwhelmed by your Windows 11 taskbar? You’re not alone! But with a few simple tweaks, you can transform it into a personalized productivity powerhouse. In this article, I’ll share 5 unexpected customization tips that have helped me streamline my workflow and reclaim control of my desktop. From hidden features to game-changing layouts, get ready to unlock the full potential of your taskbar!
I am going to go over how to:
- Pin and Unpin shortcuts.
- Add shortcuts to folders/directories.
- Shortcuts to browser favorites.
- Re-align taskbar icons.
- Hide default icons/shortcuts.
I hope this helps!
Pin and Unpin Shortcuts:
If the shortcut is on the desktop, simply right-click it, select more options, and then click on Pin to the taskbar.
Another way to pin a shortcut to the taskbar is to drag it from either the start menu or the desktop and into the taskbar.
If the shortcut is on the desktop, simply left-click it and hold then drag the shortcut to your taskbar.
Alternatively, you can right-click the shortcut, select Show More Options, then click pin to taskbar.
If you have the shortcut in your start menu you can drag it from there to your taskbar, or right-click it and select Pin to taskbar.
To unpin unwanted shortcuts from your taskbar just right-click it and then select unpin from the taskbar.
Add Shortcuts to folders to the taskbar:
The file explorer icon should be in the taskbar by default. By default, if you right-click it you can see the standard directors listed at the top Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos. Under those, you will see recent files. If you move your cursor to the right of one of the recent files a pin will appear, click that and it will pin above the right-click menu with the folders above.
To pin a folder to the taskbar, browse to the desired folder right click it, and pin to quick access.
To unpin an unwanted folder from the taskbar click the file explorer icon in the taskbar and click the pin icon next to the folder that is pinned and will disappear.
Alternatively, if you right-click the file explorer icon in the taskbar you will see a list of frequent folders. You can click the pin icon next to the folder you want to pin and you will see it move to the pinned section. To unpin it click the pin icon next to the folder you want to remove and it will be removed from the pinned section.
Shortcuts to browser favorites:
If you pin your favorite browser to the taskbar, you can right-click it and see a list of your recently closed tabs or most visited sites depending on the browser, hover your cursor over one of those sites and move it to the right and you should see another pin appear, click it and it will appear to the top of the list.
Re-Align taskbar icons:
If you prefer to have the start button to the left of the taskbar like in older versions of Windows right-click the taskbar and select taskbar settings. Choose taskbar behaviors, in the drop-down next to taskbar alignment, click left to align the icons to the left then select Center to move them back to the center.
Hide default taskbar icons:
If you do not prefer the default taskbar icons to show, or if you want to shrink the search bar down to a symbol or remove it. Right-click on the blank space in the taskbar and select taskbar settings. In the taskbar settings window that appears you will see the list of default icons. Click the slider to the off positions next to the icons you do not wish to see in your taskbar.
Next to the search field, you can click the drop-down and choose whichever selection you prefer.
