How to activate and customize the new modular taskbar in Windows

The taskbar has evolved from a simple icon container into a true system control center. With Windows 11, Microsoft completely changed its design, position, and, above all, its customization options. Many users have found the taskbar more limited and with fewer features than in Windows 10, but the truth is that, with the right tools, it can be much more versatile and transformed into a nearly modular taskbar.

If you've been searching for how to enable a more flexible, hidden, or modular taskbar in Windows , here you'll find a detailed overview of all the real possibilities the system offers (including Microsoft's "hidden" tricks and software tweaks to get the most out of your PC ) and the external tools that extend these functions without requiring you to make risky changes. We'll cover everything from basic options for pinning and organizing applications to advanced solutions like Vivetool, Windhawk, and even alternative docks like GroDock.

How the Windows taskbar works and what it allows you to do by default

The Windows taskbar is designed to provide quick access to applications and allow you to easily manage what's running . The main area displays icons for pinned programs and currently open applications.

When an app is running, Windows displays a small line under its icon to indicate that it's open . Additionally, the currently active application is highlighted using the system's accent color, so you can quickly identify where you're working.

This combination of pinned icons, status lines, and active app highlighting makes the taskbar the center of multitasking : jumping from one window to another, switching applications, or closing what you're not using is just a click away.

Another key feature is that you can rearrange the icons however you like . Simply click on any of them, hold down the button, and drag it to the desired position. This way, you can easily access the apps you use most often in the order that's most convenient for you.

Pin, unpin, and rearrange apps on the taskbar

Basic customization involves deciding which apps you want to keep visible on the taskbar at all times and which ones you prefer to only appear when they are open. This is done by pinning or unpinning icons.

To pin an application that isn't already on the taskbar, you can use the Windows search bar: type the program's name in the search box on the taskbar , right-click on the result, and choose "Pin to taskbar." From then on, the icon will remain pinned even if you close the application.

Another option is to pin an app that's already open . In that case, simply right-click on its icon in the taskbar and select "Pin to taskbar." This will turn that temporary icon into a permanent shortcut.

If you later decide you no longer want an application constantly visible, the process is the reverse. Right-click on the pinned icon and select "Unpin from taskbar ." The program will remain installed, but it will disappear from that fixed area of ​​the taskbar.

At any time, if you want to change the order in which the icons appear, simply drag each application button to your preferred position . There are no limits or strict rules: you can group by program type, frequency of use, or however best suits your workflow.

Design changes in Windows 11: centered bar and fewer native options

With the arrival of Windows 11, Microsoft opted for a fairly aggressive design change compared to Windows 10. One of the most visible modifications was moving the taskbar icons and the Start button to the center of the screen, abandoning the classic placement on the far left.

Microsoft's idea was to adapt the system to current widescreen monitors with a 16:9 aspect ratio , reducing eye and neck strain when interacting with the Start menu or pinned apps. On paper, it makes sense, but for many users, it meant breaking years of habit.

Furthermore, Windows 11 drastically reduced the native customization options for the taskbar . You can no longer move the bar to the sides or the top, easily adjust its height, or modify the spacing between icons as you could in previous versions.

Another significant change is that the bar's appearance is much more closed off . The system offers virtually no internal controls for adjusting transparency, shapes, rounded edges, or integration with custom wallpapers, beyond a few color and general theme parameters.

This has left many users with the feeling that Windows 11 imposes a very attractive but inflexible taskbar . However, the reality is that there are several ways to regain and even expand that control, both with hidden system functions and third-party tools.

The touch interface and the “hidden taskbar” of Windows 11

Windows 11 not only changed the overall design, it also introduced two different interfaces for the taskbar depending on the type of device : one designed for traditional computers with a keyboard and mouse and another optimized for touchscreen devices.

In the touch-oriented version, the bar behaves slightly differently: it can hide more aggressively and reappear when the user interacts with the lower area . This variant is primarily designed for tablets and convertibles, but it can be enabled on a standard PC.

This so-called "hidden taskbar" works similarly to the classic option to automatically hide the taskbar, but with a slightly more modern approach. When not in use, it disappears almost completely, leaving only a thin line indicating its location. As soon as you move your mouse over that line, the taskbar reappears.

The catch is that this mode isn't activated from a simple Settings menu; instead, it's part of a more advanced interface that Microsoft reserves for certain devices . Luckily, there's a trick to enable it on any compatible Windows 11 PC.

Activate the hidden taskbar using Vivetool and the Registry

To unlock this touch-like taskbar interface on a desktop computer, you can use Vivetool, a small utility that allows you to activate hidden Windows features that Microsoft has not yet officially exposed in the system menus.

The first step is to download Vivetool from its official GitHub page. Since it's a tool geared towards advanced users, it's distributed as a compressed file that you must extract to a folder of your choice . It's not installed like a conventional program with a graphical wizard.

Once you've extracted the files, you'll need to open a Command Prompt (CMD) window with administrator privileges. From there, navigate to the folder where you extracted Vivetool and run the following command: vivetool /enable /id:39281392 . This specific identifier is what activates the new taskbar experience.

After running the command, it's advisable to restart your computer so that Windows loads the enabled feature . However, activation doesn't end there: a small adjustment is needed within the Windows Registry for the hidden touchbar mode to take effect.

The next step is to open the Registry Editor using the command regedit in the taskbar search boxWith the editor on screen, you must navigate to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Explorer

In the right pane of this key, right-click and choose the option to create a “DWORD (32-bit) Value” . Name this new value TabletPostureTaskbar , respecting uppercase and lowercase letters.

Once the value is created, double-click on it to edit it and change its "Value data" from 0 to 1. With this simple adjustment, you're telling Windows to use the taskbar designed for tablet mode , even if you're on a desktop PC.

Finally, restart your computer again. When it restarts, the taskbar will begin to behave like that of a touch device : it will remain hidden while you work and will appear when you move the mouse over the thin center line at the bottom of the screen.

It's important to note that for this feature to work correctly, you need at least Windows 11 version 22621.755 . If your system is older, the change will most likely have no effect or will be unstable.

Windhawk: Advanced modular customization of the taskbar

Beyond Microsoft's hidden features, if you're looking to take taskbar customization to the next level without touching system files , one of the most interesting tools currently available is Windhawk.

Windhawk is a free and open-source project that works by using independent modules injected into specific Windows processes to change their behavior. Instead of permanently modifying the system, it operates in memory while the system is running.

The advantage of this approach is that there's no need to manually edit the Registry or apply potentially harmful patches to internal files . You install only the modules you need, activate or deactivate them with a switch, and if something doesn't suit you, you can instantly revert to the original state.

From its module library, you can find extensions for almost every part of the interface: taskbar, start menu, file explorer, system tray, and notification panel , among others. Each module has its own information sheet, technical description, configuration options, and, in many cases, example screenshots.

Installation is quite simple: you download the installer from the official website or from GitHub, run it, and Windhawk configures itself as a small service that starts with Windows . From there, the program appears in the system tray, from where you can access the main interface.

Windhawk modules to transform the taskbar

Where Windhawk really shines is in the way it allows you to visually and functionally modify the Windows 11 taskbar without breaking anything or having to struggle with complex configurations.

One of the most comprehensive modules is the so-called "Taskbar Styler" or Windows 11 taskbar style modifier . Its purpose is easy to understand: to completely change the appearance of the taskbar with predefined themes and very detailed style customization options.

With this module you can apply themes that turn the bar into a floating dock with rounded corners , simulate the appearance of older versions like Windows 7 or Vista, or opt for more minimalist and transparent designs.

In addition, Taskbar Styler allows you to directly edit the CSS code that controls the bar's appearance. If you have a basic understanding of CSS, you can tweak values ​​such as transparency, blur, background color, corner radius, and internal spacing until you're happy with it.

The changes are reflected instantly, without needing to restart your computer or log out. Simply save the setting within the module for the bar to update in real time . And if you ever want to return to the default appearance, just deactivate the module.

Another popular module within Windhawk allows you to modify the height of the taskbar and the size of the icons . This is especially useful on high-resolution monitors where the default taskbar can appear too large and take up more space than necessary.

There are also modules to selectively hide or show system tray icons , such as the language indicator, network status, volume, or notification center shortcut. This way, you can keep your system tray ultra-minimalist with only the things you actually check daily.

If you're interested in the more technical aspects, there are modules that can display real-time system metrics alongside the clock : CPU usage, RAM consumption, hardware temperature, and internet connection speed. It's a quick way to monitor performance without resorting to resource-intensive applications.

Finally, a much-criticized limitation of Windows 11 is that it no longer allows you to move the taskbar to the sides or top. With Windhawk, some modules restore this ability to dock the taskbar to any edge of the desktop , a feature highly appreciated by users of vertical monitors or multi-monitor setups.

Advantages of Windhawk over other customization tools

In the world of Windows customization, there are many utilities, but not all of them work the same way or have the same impact on the system . That's why it's important to understand what Windhawk offers compared to well-known alternatives.

Tools like TranslucentTB or global shortcuts with PowerToys are very popular for making the taskbar transparent or applying basic effects , but they focus almost exclusively on that. They don't allow you to change the shape, position, size, or add new advanced features.

Other proposals, such as Start11 or ExplorerPatcher, go further and include profound changes to the Start menu and taskbar . The problem is that Start11 is paid software, and ExplorerPatcher modifies system files and its integration with the Windows shell in a more invasive way.

By working at the memory level and using independent modules, Windhawk is more reversible and less conflicting with Windows updates . If a module starts failing after an update, you can disable it without affecting the rest of the system.

The fact that it is free and open source also helps the community to review, improve, and audit what each module does , which always provides extra confidence when dealing with sensitive elements such as the taskbar or the browser.

In short, Windhawk has become a kind of "modular toolbox" for customizing Windows 11 in a flexible, segmented, and secure way, especially useful if you want a taskbar truly tailored to your workflow.

GroDock: an alternative dock to replace or complement the taskbar

For those who are particularly dissatisfied with the Windows 11 taskbar, there's another interesting option: partially dispensing with it and using an alternative dock . This is where GroDock comes in, an app created precisely as a response to the system's limitations.

GroDock was born out of the frustration of not being able to place the Windows 11 taskbar where you really want it . It's a dock for Windows that can be positioned on any of the four edges of the screen: top, bottom, left, or right, adapting to each user's preferred configuration.

The good news is that you can use GroDock in two ways: as a complement to the standard Windows taskbar or as a near-complete replacement . If you choose the second option, the app itself offers the ability to disable the Windows taskbar from its settings.

One of the key features of the new version of GroDock is its modular design, allowing you to activate only the parts you need . For example, you can use it solely as an app launcher, as a system indicator area, or as a combination of both.

Among the standout features is the option to display running applications directly in the dock , bringing it closer to the classic taskbar behavior, but with a fully configurable design and position.

In addition, GroDock integrates a system area with data such as CPU, RAM, battery, antivirus, or USB devices , aiming to make the dock not just decorative, but a real work tool with useful information at a glance.

The application is available in the Microsoft Store , making it easy to install and update automatically. Although it's presented as a work in progress, it's very interesting for those who want to experiment with a more modular desktop environment, where the traditional taskbar gives way to a more flexible dock.

Ultimately, GroDock's approach is to offer an alternative experience that breaks with the restrictions of the native taskbar , giving total freedom when choosing border, style, and active functions—something that many advanced Windows users have been demanding for years.

With all these options on the table, it's clear that the Windows 11 taskbar doesn't have to be a rigid, closed element. Between the native settings, the hidden tablet-like interface you can enable with Vivetool, the almost limitless possibilities of Windhawk, and the radical alternative of GroDock , it's now possible to build a much more modular taskbar (or even a dock), adapted to both touch devices and desktop PCs, with the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality for your personal way of working.