[Tip] How to Get Centered Taskbar Buttons in Windows 10

This article will help you in getting all Taskbar buttons in center of Taskbar in Windows 10 and all previous Windows versions such as Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, etc.

By default, all Windows versions display running program buttons at the left-side of the Taskbar next to Start button. But the new Windows 11 operating system shows Taskbar buttons or icons aligned at the center position similar to a dock utility.

If you are using Windows 10 or an older version of Windows and want to get similar feature in your Windows, this tutorial will help you.

Advertisement

In this tutorial, we are going to share a very simple trick to put all Taskbar buttons and icons in the center or middle of Taskbar without using any 3rd party software. Yes, you read it right. We’ll not install any 3rd party tweaking or customization utility program. We’ll only use Windows built-in functionality to move all Taskbar buttons to the center.

Following screenshot shows all Taskbar buttons in center position in Windows 10:

Get_Centered_Taskbar_Programs_Buttons_Windows_10.png

If you also want to get a centered Taskbar feature in your Windows operating system, following easy steps will help you:

PS: An exclusive video is embedded at the end of this article which contains all steps live in action for your convenience.

STEP 1: (Optional)

First of all disable or remove all extra buttons from Taskbar such as Cortana search box, Task view button, etc.

Advertisement

Right-click on Taskbar and uncheck “Show Cortana button“, “Show Task View button” options. Also set Search option to Hidden as shown in following screenshot:

Hide_Remove_Conrtana_Searchbox_Task_View_Buttons_Icons_Windows_10_Taskbar.png

Related: How to Remove Cortana Search Box and Other Extra Buttons from Windows 10 Taskbar?

It’ll remove all these extra buttons from Taskbar.

STEP 2:

Right-click on Taskbar and uncheck “Lock the taskbar” option to unlock Taskbar.

Unlock_Windows_Taskbar_Context_Menu.png

STEP 3:

Now the tricky part comes. We’ll add a blank or empty toolbar on Taskbar to move program buttons area to center.

Right-click on Taskbar and select “Toolbars -> Links” option.

Add_Links_Toolbar_Windows_Taskbar_Context_Menu.png

It’ll add an empty Links toolbar at the right-side of the Taskbar near to notification area or system tray as shown in following screenshot:

Links_Toolbar_Added_Windows_Taskbar_Near_Notification_Area.png

PS: If you don’t want to add “Links” toolbar. You can create a new empty folder anywhere such as Desktop or D:, E:, etc drives and then right-click on Taskbar and select “Toolbars -> New toolbar” option. Now select the new empty folder using Browse window. It’ll add that new folder toolbar on Taskbar.

STEP 4:

Move mouse cursor near Links toolbar and you’ll see a drag handle (looks like 2 vertical lines) showing just before Links text. Click on the drag handle and hold your mouse button and drag the toolbar to the extreme left side of the Taskbar near Start button.

You need to move the Links toolbar before programs button area as shown in following screenshot:

Move_Links_Toolbar_Left_Side_Near_Start_Button_Windows_Taskbar.png

Now you’ll get Links toolbar at the left-side of Taskbar near Start button and all programs button will move to the right-side of Taskbar near notification area.

STEP 5:

Right-click on Links toolbar text and uncheck “Show Text” and “Show title” options. It’ll hide Links text from the toolbar.

Hide_Text_Title_Links_Toolbar_Windows_Taskbar.png

STEP 6:

Now move mouse cursor near programs button area and you’ll again see a drag handle to move the buttons toolbar.

Click on the drag handle and hold your mouse button and move the toolbar to the center of the Taskbar.

Move_Taskbar_Programs_Buttons_Center_Windows_10.png

You are free to move the toolbar anywhere you want to show the buttons on Taskbar.

STEP 7:

At last again right-click on Taskbar and select “Lock the taskbar” option to lock the Taskbar.

Lock_Windows_Taskbar_Context_Menu.png

That’s it. Congratulations. You have enabled centered Taskbar buttons feature in your Windows.

UNDO STEP to Restore Default Left Taskbar Buttons:

In future, if you want to restore default Taskbar functionality and want to show program buttons at left side, right-click on Taskbar and uncheck “Toolbars -> Links” option. That’s it. It’ll immediately move all program buttons to the left-side of the Taskbar again.

PS: Following how-to video features all above mentioned steps in action so that you can easily understand them:

Also Check:

[Tips] Customize or Remove “News and Interests” (Weather) Widget in Windows 10 Taskbar

How to Get “Quick Launch” Toolbar and “Show Desktop” Shortcut Back in Windows

[Tip] Create a Portable Quick Launch Toolbar for Windows Taskbar

Published in: Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Don’t like it at all. Once I have been forced to update to Win 11 the first thing I will do is set it back to the left side.

  2. I would suggest TaskbarX instead. It is a lot more consistent with centering and offers other taskbar customization features while remaining free and open source.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NOTE: Your comment may not appear immediately. It'll become visible once we approve it.