A lot of people don’t realize it, but the taskbar can be placed on any edge of your screen: left, right, top or bottom. In fact, if you have multiple monitors, it can be placed on any edge of any display.
Occasionally — usually through a mis-click or accidental mouse action — the taskbar can get moved to somewhere other than where we want it.
So, let’s move the taskbar back.
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Summary
- Right-click in an unused area of the taskbar.
- Make sure that “Lock the taskbar” is unchecked.
- Left-click and hold in that unused area of the taskbar.
- Drag the taskbar to the side of your screen on which you want it.
- Release the mouse.
- Now right-click, and this time, ensure that “Lock the taskbar” is checked.
Here’s a short video:
Why does the taskbar move on its own?
The most common cause for the taskbar to show up on an odd edge of the screen is that it was unlocked (which allows for this kind of movement), and somehow this click-and-drag approach mistakenly happened. For example, perhaps you thought you were moving something in another application, but “overshot” with the mouse click and ended up dragging and dropping the taskbar instead.
Of course, other types of mouse movement, and even the occasional bug, could result in the taskbar moving to somewhere unexpected.
One of the reasons we “lock” the taskbar after moving it back into place is to prevent this type of accidental movement in the future.
Podcast audio
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Video Narration
The taskbar is usually kept at the bottom of the screen, but there are some results that show that for most people it’s better to have it at the top. Certainly that is where I have mine and I certainly find it easier to have it there.
What you said brings up an interesting point. There are many ways to improve the usability of an interface. Companies like Microsoft spend a lot of time and money in researching these, but when they implement the change, what people really want is what they’re used to.
nothing come up when i click the space area on my task bar to move the task bar at the bottom
i mean when i click the space area on the task bar, nothings happen. no properties shows!
Are you sure you’re right clicking and not left clicking?
you r click on the part where the apps are if its full drag 1 app out then try again.
Man I thank you! It has been forever since I did something like that and my mind went blank thinking oh great now I waste a lot of time figuring it out when I read your excellent reminder and WahLah!!! THANK YOU!!
Thanks for your help
after one year just now i placed my desktop taskbar at the botttom
My taskbar has moved (apparently of its own accord) to the vertical and all the clicking and dragging as per instructions on this site doesn’t work to get it back horizontal. I have made sure it is unlocked so why won’t it move / how can I move it?
Thank you so much! i hate having the taskbar on any other side. i need it to be on the bottom, im just used to it. this really helped.
Thank you very much, Leo. I cannot tell you how many times you have helped me when strange things have occured on my computer. For me, the real culprit was not locking my taskbar. An oversight on my part that will not happen again. 🙂
I was able to return my toolbar back to it’s original location in about 1.5 seconds 🙂 Thank you for the tip and time saver , Leo ! Eric 🙂
A mega thank you for the tip on the task bar. I’ve been in despair for 3 days, trying to figure it out. Also bookmarking the tip in the event of another occurrence. Have a great week!!!:))
I want to move my taskbar to the left of the screen. It is unlocked, but when I drag and drop it the screen flashes black, then resets the desktop with the taskbar back at the bottom and desktop icons moved into top left of the screen. The same thing occurs when I go to properties and switch the drop down menu to ‘left’.
Please, someone help me, I’ve had my taskbar to the left for years, the fact that it is stuck on the bottom is driving me crazy.
Thanks Leo. I have been right clicking, but not dragging. Now my task bar is where I want it. Such a simple task.
I locked it this time.
Thanks again!
Tried many OTHER sites for a Remedy , they were all incomplete and ambiguous …LEO , your site is simple and easy to follow !! Thanks ever so much for your REASONABLE EASY TO FOLLOW Remedy …you deserve the GOLD ….and I for one will look for your INPUT on all my PC Problems ..You are the BEST
Thanks so much for your help. At first I didn’t read your instructions carefully & I clicked on my left instead of my right or visa versa??? Once I read it again & REALLY followed your directions, it worked perfectly & I moved the taskbar back to the bottom. Now I have locked it & hopefully I won’t have to go through this again! I need to be more careful when I read the instructions & make sure I actually follow them. Unfortunately, my 72 year old brain doesn’t work as good as it used to so I know I will be referring to your site often. Thanks again.
thank you leo l have been trying to move my taskbar for 2 days getting very frustratted so l thought to google it your name was at the top you
following your instructions done it first time well dne leo
Thank you so much. Think my mouse is going. It doesn’t want to copy or move things when I want it to, but likes to do stuff I don’t want it to like moving my task bar from one place to another. You are very kind to share this info.
THANK YOU FOR THE EASY INSTRUCTIONS! I may have a MS in healthcare, but I did not know how to move the taskbar from when my kiddos changed it, and this was the easiest and quickest way/instructions. Thanks again!!!
Thank You very much! This is helpful if sometime it happens. I usually forget this and try to drag but doesn’t work but when i read this it always works. Fixed in like 5 secs.
Plus do you have anything for when your icons dont appear on the home screen. Like mine go on the home screen but dont come up and they disappear. Because i used to have lot then one day they just disappeard and now I am cant put icons on my homescreen (desktop screen i meant) If you do please email me and thank you very much
I cant drag the bar anywhere it is on the side of my computer but i want it on the bottom i use windows 10 how do i move it
You probably need to unlock it first. This article explains how to do that.
THE CLOCK AND DATE IS TOO FAR ON THE RIGHT TO READ. HOW TO MOVE IT BACK TO THE LEFT SOME.
I was at my wits’ end trying to get back my vertical taskbar to it’s original position. So glad I happen to find your website which solved my problem.
Thank you !! I’m your latest fan.
Only screen my taskbar shows on is my desktop. Whenever I sign on to any page the taskbar does not show at the bottom of the screen. How do I get it to show at the bottom of all screens
I thought Cortana would fix this but I was wrong. Your helpful fix-its made my computing headache go away
IN MY BOTTOM DESTOP BAR ITS AUTOMATICALLY INCREASED … I AM NOT GETTING TO IN PROPER POSITION
Thank you for the information about how to move the task bar back to it’s right place. Video was easy to understand and follow.
Brilliant. Look forward to receiving your newsletter.
I appreciate all the “thank you’s”, but they’re not adding much value for the readers who come after, so I’m turning off comments on this post. 🙂
And that’s not counting the thank you comments I deleted 😉
Thank you for your help, didn’t know how to move my taskbar, you make it plan and simple.
Thanks again!!
Ah…..I’ve been trying for quite a while to just use my intuition and just drag this stupid toolbar back to the bottom of the screen where it belongs. When the wind knocked over my laptop, it seems to have taken 15 screenshots of the ground plus moved my toolbar to the top….so very rude. Thank you. Turns out where you said left click in the unused areas first to do…..I still kept rick clicking and cussing until I re-read it…ah damnit, he said left click. I’d love to post another new question on why the Holy **** can’t it be just a tad easier……oh well, I’m out, Planet Claire here, over & out and a thanks.
My toolbar has slipped down so only half of it is showing. How do I get it up so I can see the full bar?
Which toolbar are you referring to?
Thank you, this was very helpful 🙂
. Thank you . Great Sanity Saver
Thank you very much. I’ve locked my toolbar in place now.
HOW DO I UNLOCK THE TASK BAR?
As the article states:
Step 2 means if there is a checkmark after “Lock the taskbar” click on it to remove the checkmark.
this does not work. all it does is stretch the task bar sideways. it does not let you move it back to the bottom. I can’t seem to find any info that helps. my task bar is suddenly on the side and I cannot figure out how to get it back on bottom. I do not believe anyone knows how to do this
If it stretches you’re not clicking on an empty area IN the taskbar — you’re clicking on its border.
the taskbar moved accidentaly from bottom of screen to vertical (leftside of the scree / to my rightside) tried your method but it does not budge, moreover its become inconvenient to close or minimize a folder or document as they get hidden by the taskbar
I’m hoping you can help! I’ve read, re-read, and then re-read again and still can’t get this stupid task bar to budge! It stays on the right side of my screen. Any suggestions?