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Latest Windows 11 update restores your taskbar control, patches 995 security flaws
The September Windows 11 update set a new patching record with almost 1,000 security flaws fixed.
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With the September Patch Tuesday rollout, Microsoft is giving Windows 11 users a few reasons to update their systems. First up are improvements to the Windows taskbar, Start menu, and other key features. Second are the 995 security bugs squashed, a new record.
Those of you who have long desired to place the Windows 11 taskbar at the top or sides of the screen now finally have your wish. With the latest update, you can move the taskbar from the bottom to the top, left, or right side of the screen. Yep, just as you’ve always been able to do in Windows 10.
To check this out, first install this month’s update. Head to Settings, select Windows Update, and click the button to check for updates. Allow the latest updates to download and install and then restart your PC.
Designated as KB5124012 for Windows 11 26H1, KB5124008 for Windows 11 25H2/24H2, and KB5122880 for Windows 11 23H2, the security update listed is the official version of the preview update rolled out on August 27. But it resolves a few bugs, including one that broke the mouse cursor settings on certain systems.
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Log back in to Windows, right-click any empty spot on the taskbar, and select Taskbar settings from the menu. Scroll to the section for Taskbar behaviors and you’ll now see a new option for Taskbar position with thumbnails for Bottom, Top, Left, and Right. Select your preferred position, and the taskbar will jump to that spot.
After you reposition the taskbar, you can then decide whether or not you want it centered. If the taskbar is on the bottom or top, you’re able to switch the alignment between center and left just as always. But if you move it to the left or right side, you can switch between top and left. For instance, if I were to position it on either side, I would change the alignment to top as it would normally appear in Windows 10.
You can also now reduce the height of the taskbar and shrink the size of its icons. Just click the drop-down box next to Taskbar size and change it to Small.