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How Do I Move the Taskbar Back to the Bottom?

Occasionally, the Windows taskbar can end up on either side (or even the top of) your screen. I'll show you how to move the taskbar bar back to the bottom.


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My taskbar’s on the right side of my screen. How do I move the taskbar back to the bottom where it belongs?

The taskbar can actually be placed on any edge of your screen. In fact, if you have multiple monitors, it can be be placed on any edge of any display.

Occasionally — usually through a misclick or accidental mouse action — the taskbar can get moved to somewhere other than where we want it.

So, let’s move the taskbar back.

Move the taskbar back

  1. Right click in an unused area of the taskbar.
  2. Make sure that “Lock the taskbar” is unchecked.
  3. Left click and hold in that unused area of the taskbar.
  4. Drag the taskbar to the side of your screen on which you want it.
  5. Release the mouse.
  6. Now right-click, and this time, ensure that “Lock the taskbar” is checked.

Here’s a short video:

Move the Taskbar

(Click here for a larger version.)

Why does the taskbar move on its own?

The most common cause for taskbar migration is that the taskbar was unlocked (which enables this kind of movement), and somehow this click-and-drag approach mistakenly happened. For example, perhaps you were moving something in another application, but “overshot” with the mouse click and ended up moving the taskbar instead.

Of course other types of mouse movement, and even the occasional bug, could result in the taskbar being moved to somewhere it’s not supposed to be.

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.

This is an update to an article originally posted : January 22, 2007
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Comments

  1. 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.

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  2. Mine is still stuck on side everything is still displaying sideways on my lap top…even with tool bar at bottom

    Reply

  5. 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!!

    Reply

  7. 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?

    Reply

  9. 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.

    Reply

  10. Hi,
    Thanks for your post. It’s very easy..You are great… I also bookmarked your page for further assistance.

    Thank you once again.
    Regards,
    Bhunesh

    Reply

  11. 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. 🙂

    Reply

  12. 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 🙂

    Reply

  13. Thank you so much from
    a batty old woman not lose the rest of her mind trying to figure out such an easy thing. Bless you, you made my day.

    Reply

  18. 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!!!:))

    Reply

  21. 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.

    Reply

  24. Thanks so much, I recently moved back to an old desktop and it was driving me crazy. I knew it was an easy fix, but but for the life of me I simply could not remember.

    Reply

  25. 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!

    Reply

  27. 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

    Reply

  28. May I convey my sincere gratitude for showing the simple way to bring back the task bar!
    God bless & live long!

    Reply

  30. Thanks Leo you sure did help me , been working on this for 2 days & was getting know where until I found you thanks again, Pat

    Reply

  31. 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.

    Reply

  33. Thanks for the explanation! I somehow accidentally moved the task bar to the top and have no idea how to move it back. This totally helps.

    Reply

  35. I got an hp laptop n da taskbar went to the left and i hav tried everything n wen it does come down it still horizontal while I want it down n upright vertical. Thank u. Plz help me

    Reply

  37. 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

    Reply

  41. Thank you. The process of moving icons in the bottom of screen was very helpful. in the short video i leaned about how to move icons in the end of screen.
    Thanks a lot.

    Reply

  42. Wow, Great
    Some things are just simple that all you need is someone to point you in the right course.
    You’ar great. Thanks.

    Reply

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