With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft restricted the taskbar to the bottom of the display and removed the ability for users to move it to other parts of the screen. Now, about five years after the introduction of this operating system, that restriction has finally been lifted.
The Windows 11 version 26H2 update was publicly released on September 29, 2026 (7 Mehr 1405). Microsoft is rolling out this version gradually to eligible PCs running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2.
Users who have enabled the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available in Windows Update” option are prioritized to receive this update.
Version 26H2 does not differ structurally from previous updates. Like versions 24H2 and 25H2, this version is delivered from the same servicing branch and in many cases can be installed as a small activation package and applied after a single restart.
The Windows 11 taskbar is finally movable
One of the most important changes in version 26H2 relates to taskbar personalization. Users can now place the taskbar at the top, bottom, left, or right of the screen.
Microsoft has also added an option to make the taskbar smaller. This feature reduces the size of icons and also decreases the overall height of the taskbar.
When Windows 11 launched in 2021 it removed this capability; previous versions of Windows had allowed users to position the taskbar where they wanted. Microsoft began testing the return of this feature earlier this year, and now the ability to move the taskbar is available to users.
New changes to the Start menu and Windows Search
The Start menu has also undergone changes in version 26H2. The area now supports new layouts including segmented and scrollable grid modes, and its design adapts responsively to display size.
Users will also have separate controls to show or hide the Pinned, Recent, and All sections.
Windows Search has also received improvements. The tool can now display preview results, better detect spelling mistakes and incomplete app names, and automatically list folders the user accesses most frequently.
Other features of Windows 11 version 26H2
In addition to taskbar and Start menu changes, the 26H2 update delivers a set of other features and improvements.
System Restore can now roll back apps, settings, and personal files to a recent automatic restore point. Quick Machine Recovery also provides another way to identify and fix issues when Windows cannot boot properly.
Smart App Control will finally be able to be enabled or disabled without reinstalling Windows.
Microsoft has also improved File Explorer’s performance so it launches faster and more reliably preserves View and Sort settings. Windows Update can also combine more eligible updates into a single stage to reduce the number of system restarts.
Other changes in this version include support for multi-app camera, built-in Sysmon, expanded passkeys, NPU monitoring in Task Manager, improved Bluetooth reliability, and support for post-quantum cryptography APIs.