Not a fan of the Windows 11 Start button sitting in the middle of the taskbar? If you prefer the traditional Windows layout, you can move the Start button back to the bottom-left corner in just a few clicks. You don’t need to install any software or change anything complicated. Windows 11 has a built-in setting that lets you change the taskbar alignment from centre to left.
How to Move the Start Button to the Left in Windows 11
Here’s how to move the Start button from the centre of the taskbar to the left:
- Right-click an empty area of the taskbar.
- Make sure you click somewhere that doesn’t have an icon or open app.
- Select “Taskbar settings.” – This will open the Windows Settings app and take you to the taskbar options.
- Click “Taskbar behaviours.” – Scroll down until you find this section, then click it to expand the available settings.
- Find “Taskbar alignment.” – This option is near the top of the Taskbar behaviors section.
- Change the alignment to “Left.”
- Click the dropdown menu next to Taskbar alignment and select Left instead of Centre.
That’s it. The button and your pinned taskbar icons will immediately move to the left side of the screen. There’s no need to restart Windows or sign out of your account.
Can you move it back to the centre?
Yes. If you decide you prefer the default Windows 11 layout, you can switch the taskbar back to the centre at any time.
Simply go back to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviours, find Taskbar alignment, and select Centre.
Why Move the Start Button to the Left?
The centred Start button is one of the biggest visual changes introduced with Windows 11. If you’ve used previous versions of Windows for years, having the Start menu in the bottom-left corner may simply feel more natural. Moving the Start button to the left also gives Windows 11 a more familiar look without changing any other part of the operating system.
Move the Windows 11 Start Button in Seconds
Changing the Windows 11 taskbar alignment is quick and completely reversible. Just open Taskbar settings, expand Taskbar behaviours and change Taskbar alignment to Left.
If you prefer the classic Windows layout, it’s one of the easiest Windows 11 customisations you can make.
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