Vertical Taskbars Return to Windows 11, Courtesy of Third-Party Developers

If you’ve been longing for the vertical taskbars from older Windows versions, I’ve got some good news. Stardock has jumped in to save the day with its latest Start11 beta update, which brings vertical taskbar support to Windows 11. Finally, you can place your taskbar on either side of your screen, just the way you like it.

It’s interesting to note that more than 55,000 people have checked out this particular Microsoft community discussion focused on vertical taskbars for Windows 11. Thousands of users have chimed in on similar topics on Microsoft’s site, not to mention the numerous voices on Reddit and other forums. Surprisingly, Microsoft hasn’t budged on this request yet.

Enter Stardock, a third-party developer stepping in to fill this gap. While it may feel a tad strange to rely on an external app to achieve something Windows used to offer, Start11 comes packed with other handy features. It lets you customize your Start menu to mimic the look of Windows 11, 10, or 7 and provides more customization options than the default Windows 11 menu.

The vertical taskbars arrive with Start11 v2.5, which is currently in beta. The update also introduces support for centering taskbar icons while keeping the Start icon aligned to the left.

Does Windows 11 support vertical taskbars?

For fans of vertical taskbars, it’s a bit disappointing, but Microsoft doesn’t seem keen on making them officially available in Windows 11. When Microsoft removed the flexibility to move the taskbar to the sides or top, it left many users scratching their heads. Previous Windows versions allowed such adjustments, but not Windows 11—though, thanks to Start11’s latest beta, you can now enjoy both placements again.

Back in 2022, Microsoft hosted an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session that touched on the topic of vertical taskbars.

"When it comes to actually moving the taskbar to different locations on the screen, there are some big challenges," said Microsoft’s Head of Product, Tali Roth. "Consider moving the taskbar to the right or left; it demands significant reworking from the apps to accommodate the change."

It does raise eyebrows that a giant like Microsoft, with its massive team of developers, couldn’t overcome these challenges, yet Stardock managed to make it happen.

Roth’s further comments from 2022 possibly hint at why Microsoft hasn’t added a vertical taskbar feature:

"And when you look at the data, even though there are people who are really passionate about having it that way, they’re pretty small in number compared to others asking for different features. Right now, we’re prioritizing those areas where most users express more concern.

It’s something we’re still considering, keeping an eye on feedback, but as of now, there’s no plan or scheduled date for a side taskbar."

So, technically, Microsoft could add a vertical taskbar to Windows 11, but in their view, it’s just not worth the resources for a feature that’s not widely demanded.