Windows 11: Enhanced Customization for Taskbar, Start Menu, and Search

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Clip title: Windows 11 Just Got WAY More Customizable Author / channel: Kevin Stratvert URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsTq4NPIBqY

Summary

When Windows 11 first launched, many users noted a significant reduction in customization options compared to previous Windows versions. The video highlights that after some time, Microsoft is now reintroducing many of these sought-after features and adding new ones, allowing users to personalize their operating system experience more thoroughly. The key areas receiving these updates include the Taskbar, the Start Menu, and the Windows Search functionality.

A major enhancement is the ability to customize the Taskbar. Users can now move the taskbar from its default bottom position to the top, left, or right sides of the screen, a long-requested feature. Additionally, the taskbar’s size can be adjusted to “small” or “default,” though the video notes that when placed on the sides, only the icons shrink, not the overall width of the bar. Users also gain granular control over which elements appear on the taskbar, with options to hide or display the Search box (as a full box, an icon and label, or just an icon), Task View, Widgets, and various system tray icons. For quick desktop access, a handy feature allows users to click the far right corner of the taskbar or use the Windows + D shortcut to instantly minimize all open windows.

Further customization extends to the Start Menu and Windows Search. The Start Menu now offers size options—“Automatic,” “Small,” and “Large”—to make it more compact or expansive. Users can also control which sections are displayed, such as “Pinned” applications, “Recent” items, or “All installed apps,” enabling a much cleaner and more tailored menu by turning off unused categories. A significant privacy and efficiency improvement comes with new search settings that allow users to disable web search results and Microsoft Store suggestions. This ensures that Windows Search focuses solely on local content—apps, documents, settings, folders, and photos—providing a less cluttered and more relevant search experience for on-device content, with the presenter suggesting a web browser for internet searches.

In conclusion, these updates signify Microsoft’s response to user feedback, restoring and expanding personalization capabilities in Windows 11. By providing more control over the Taskbar’s position and content, the Start Menu’s layout, and the focus of search results, the company is empowering users to create a computing environment that is more efficient, intuitive, and uniquely tailored to their individual preferences.

Video Description & Links

Description

Windows 11 customization is finally getting better. You can now move the taskbar to the top or sides of your screen, make it smaller, customize the Start menu, and take more control over Windows Search.

In this video, I’ll show you the new Windows 11 customization features and how to use them. You’ll learn how to change the taskbar position and size, hide taskbar items, customize Search, resize and simplify the Start menu, turn off web results in Windows Search, and more.

Whether you want a cleaner desktop or simply miss the customization options from earlier versions of Windows, these new settings give you much more control over how Windows 11 looks and works.

Host: Kevin Stratvert

⌚ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - What’s new 0:26 - Move & resize the taskbar 1:35 - Customize taskbar items & Search 2:14 - Show the desktop instantly 2:30 - Customize the Start menu 3:27 - Turn off web results in Search

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Windows 11: Enhanced Customization for Taskbar, Start Menu, and Search