How to Enable Vertical Taskbars in Windows 11

It's the tallest feature that you are missing.

from Stardock Forums

There has been a lot of chatter this past week about Windows 11 and vertical taskbars. Microsoft did not include this feature in Windows 11 and has not shipped the functionality in any of its many, many updates.

If you are needing this functionality as you migrate over from Windows 10, Start11 v2 already supports this scenario and you can get started today. And of course, it’s not just a vertical taskbar, you can also enhance it as well.

If you have Start11 v2 installed (if not, check out the app page here) open up the configuration menu, click on Taskbar and scroll down to Taskbar position option. In the dropdown, you can select if you want the taskbar to align left, right or the top.

And that’s it, unless you want to take things a step further. As you can see in the image in this post, if you want to round the taskbar, you can do that as well to create a floating vertical experience for your desktop too.

All these options are available in Start11 v2, today. No more waiting for Windows to enable your favorite features that Windows 11 removed and we have added many more that you will love too – such as pinning your downloads folder to the taskbar or you can apply icon tint to your Start menu for a clean layout.

If you haven’t tried Start11 v2, you can download a free trial on the app page and if you have any questions after you get started, join the community and learn how to get the most out of the app.

start11 taskbars vertical taskbars windows 11 start news
4,051 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

In addition to what Brad says above, Start11v2 provides a tremendous number of options and configurations to make your Start menu truly unique. I use the Windows 10 style menu with many of the features customized to my liking. I like to keep my desktop clear, in order to display artistic backgrounds, so the Start11 menu is my jumping off point to everything on my system. Here is an image of my Start11 menu using groups, tabs, transparency, custom icons and colors, as well as, textures to create my unique start menu. Give Start11v2 a try and you'll agree, it's truly amazing.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

pelaird, are you a vivaldi type of guy? I'm trying it out myself.

Curtains - Customize Windows with additional styles
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting pelaird, reply 1

In addition to what Brad says above, Start11v2 provides a tremendous number of options and configurations to make your Start menu truly unique. I use the Windows 10 style menu with many of the features customized to my liking. I like to keep my desktop clear, in order to display artistic backgrounds, so the Start11 menu is my jumping off point to everything on my system. Here is an image of my Start11 menu using groups, tabs, transparency, custom icons and colors, as well as, textures to create my unique start menu. Give Start11v2 a try and you'll agree, it's truly amazing.

 

This might be the most bespoke Start menu setup I have ever seen...love it.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Running V 2.56 on Windows 11. The only options I have for taskbar position in Start 11 in top and bottom. Am I missing something?

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Landon, reply 4

Running V 2.56 on Windows 11. The only options I have for taskbar position in Start 11 in top and bottom. Am I missing something?

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Have you tried these other options?

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Landon, reply 6

 
These are my only options.

Need to know your full Windows 11 version and OS Build number. Please use Winver.exe to get these number.

Winver will show something like screenshot below.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Landon, reply 8

My Windows build is 22H2 build 22621.4387

Please update to Windows 11 v24H2 or 25H2. Reboot the system and see if the vertical taskbar option appear.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

As basj indicates, you need 23h2 or later for that feature to work.