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Windhawk will turn your Windows 11 taskbar into a vertical position

A good alternative to StartAllBack.

3 min. read

Published onJune 13, 2024

published onJune 13, 2024

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Did you ever want to modify your Windows 11 arrangement a little more so it fits your liking? More precisely, did you have nostalgia for times when the taskbar could be vertical instead of the usual horizontal layout? It seems like many people miss this feature.

Many users have been asking for this feature, but Microsoft thought it was too complicated and not used by many people to include in the new version of their operating system. However, even if Microsoft does not officially support it, the third-party modding community has found a solution.

It is called Windhawk. This mod has gained attention because it can also restore the vertical taskbar on Windows 11 and other features.

Windhawk is not alone in the game; there is also StartAllBack, another long-standing third-party solution. However, it mightcause issues with Windows 11. What makes Windhawk special is its minimal and non-intrusive nature.

The people who made Windhawk have created their mods only to do what they are meant to, without changing everything about how the interface looks or feels. This is good news, as you can use a vertical taskbar and, at the same time, maintain the rest of your Windows 11 experience according to Microsoft’s design principles.

However, there is one little quirk in the Windhawk mod’s current version: the clock has not been rotated correctly. Thus, if you habitually glance at your taskbar clock during the day, be prepared for a moment of confusion until this gets sorted out.

The person who made the Windhawk mod confirms that it is a project that is still being developed, including the feature of putting the taskbar on top.

The best option for people who want to try it is to goto Windhawk’s website. From there, they can get the mod and follow instructions for setting up the “Vertical Taskbar for Windows 11” mod.

This process may greatly improve your user experience, especially if you like having more space on the screen and prefer an orderly desktop layout.

It’s worth highlighting that Microsoft eliminated the vertical taskbar alternative due to its recognized intricacy and limited frequency of use.

Still, users’ requests for additional customization possibilities—such as relocating the taskbar—suggest that Microsoft may have undervalued how much individuals appreciate these modest and personal changes in their computer surroundings.

Finally, whether Windhawk’s solution suits you depends on your choice. Some may say it requires too much work for a feature that should have been present in the OS from the start.

Others could see this as an example of a lively Windows modding group filling up spaces left by official developers with choices available through community efforts. No matter where you stand, the wish for a more adjustable and user-friendly computing experience is still strong.

More about the topics:Taskbar,Windows 11

Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.

Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.

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Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Windhawk will turn your Windows 11 taskbar into a vertical position#