Windows 11 Reintroduces Vertical Taskbars, Thanks to Third-Party Solutions

If you’re yearning for the return of vertical taskbars on Windows 11, Stardock has a solution. Their latest Start11 beta version now allows users to enjoy a vertical taskbar, reviving a beloved feature from past Windows versions. With Start11, you can place the taskbar either on the left or right side of your screen.

This feature has been highly anticipated, with over 55,000 views on a Microsoft community post about vertical taskbars. The demand is widespread; just a glance at Reddit and Microsoft forums reveals numerous requests for this capability. Despite these appeals, Microsoft has yet to bring this functionality to Windows 11.

Enter Stardock, filling the gap with their third-party app. While it seems unusual to rely on additional software for a previously standard feature, Start11 offers more than just vertical taskbars. It enables customization of the Start menu, allowing it to mimic the look of Windows 11, Windows 10, or even Windows 7. Plus, it offers more customization options than Windows 11’s default menu.

Start11, currently in its v2.5 beta, debuts vertical taskbars alongside new features like centered taskbar buttons, even when the Start icon aligns to the left.

Does Windows 11 support vertical taskbars?

For fans of vertical taskbars, the news isn’t promising. Microsoft shows little interest in officially supporting this feature in Windows 11. The removal of taskbar mobility, a staple in previous Windows versions, puzzled many users. Earlier iterations allowed for taskbar placement on the screen’s sides or top, but Windows 11 doesn’t natively offer this flexibility (unless you use Start11’s latest beta).

In a 2022 AMA session, Microsoft’s Head of Product, Tali Roth, addressed the vertical taskbar topic. She pointed out the technical challenges of allowing the taskbar to move: "Positioning the taskbar on the right or left requires significant reflows that apps must handle, which is quite substantial."

Given Microsoft’s vast resources, it’s curious that a third-party developer like Stardock has managed to overcome these challenges. Roth touched upon this further during the AMA, explaining why Microsoft might not prioritize a vertical taskbar:

"And when you look at the data, while there’s a niche group that enjoys this, it’s overshadowed by larger demand for other features. For now, we’re focusing on more prevalent user requests."

Microsoft’s stance suggests that while technically feasible, the investment to reintroduce a vertical taskbar for a limited audience doesn’t justify the resource allocation. So, for now, users looking for this functionality will need to lean on third-party solutions like Start11.