Microsoft is bringing back the touch-optimized taskbar for Windows 11 that it first experimented with back in February.
The latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build (25197)(Opens in a new window) includes support for a touch/tablet-optimized version of the taskbar, which is transitioned to automatically when a user disconnects or folds back the keyboard on their 2-in-1 device.
Two states are available once it’s active: collapsed and expanded. In the collapsed state, the amount of screen space is increased for whatever you are viewing and there’s no chance of accidentally invoking the taskbar. In the expanded state, the taskbar expands so it’s easier to interact with the icons and widgets. Switching between the two states simply requires a swiping gesture up or down from the bottom of your device.
There is no option to enable it on other Windows devices such as standard laptops or desktop PCs, but it looks as though Microsoft intends to let you turn it off. On a supported device you can navigate to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and it will appear as an option turned on by default called “Optimize taskbar for touch interactions when this device is used as a tablet.”
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The fact Microsoft decided to bring back the optimized taskbar suggests it’s eventually going to be rolled out for all 2-in-1 device users. At the same time, Microsoft is really dragging its feet on adding even basic customization options to the taskbar for desktop PC and laptop users. For example, you still can’t move the taskbar to the side or top of the screen.
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