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, its position, and, above all, its customization options. Many users have encountered a more limited bar And with fewer options than in Windows 10, but the truth is that, with the right tools, you can get much more out of it and turn it into an almost modular taskbar.

If you've searched for how enable a more flexible, hidden, or modular taskbar in WindowsHere you will find a detailed overview of all the real possibilities that the system offers (including Microsoft's "hidden" tricks and Computer program tricks to get the most out of your PCand external tools that extend these functions without requiring you to make risky changes. We'll look at everything from basic options for pinning and organizing applications to advanced solutions like Vivetool, Windhawk, or 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 easy management of what is running.The main area displays the icons of programs you have pinned and applications that are currently open.

When an app is running, Windows displays a small line under the icon to indicate that it is openIn addition, the currently active application is highlighted using the system's accent color, so you can identify at a glance where you are working.

This combination of pinned icons, status lines, and active app highlighting makes it The taskbar is the center of multitaskingJumping 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 likeSimply click on any of them, press and hold, and drag it to the desired position. This way, you can easily access the apps you use most, in the order that's most convenient for you.

Pin, unpin, and rearrange apps on the taskbar

Basic customization involves deciding Which apps do you want to always have visible in the bar? and which ones you prefer to appear only when they're open. This is done by pinning or unpinning icons.

To pin an application that doesn't yet appear on the taskbar, you can use the Windows search bar: Type the program name in the search box on the taskbar.Right-click on the result and choose the "Pin to taskbar" option. From that moment on, the icon will remain fixed even if you close the application.

Another possibility is to anchor directly an app that you already have openIn that case, simply right-click on its icon in the taskbar and select "Pin to taskbar." This will convert that temporary icon into a permanent shortcut.

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

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

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

With the arrival of Windows 11, Microsoft bet on a rather aggressive design change compared to Windows 10One of the most visible changes was moving the taskbar icons and the Start button to the center of the screen, leaving behind the classic placement attached to the far left.

Microsoft's idea was to adapt the system to the current widescreen monitors with a 16:9 aspect ratioreducing eye and neck movement 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 cut back the native customization options of the taskbarYou can no longer move the bar to the sides or the top, it is not possible to easily adjust its height, nor modify the spacing between icons as was done in previous versions.

Another important 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 parameters and a general theme.

This has left many users with the feeling that Windows 11 imposes a very nice but inflexible taskbarHowever, the reality is that there are several ways to regain and even expand that control, both with hidden system functions and with 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 taskbar interfaces depending on the device type: one designed for traditional computers with keyboard and mouse and another optimized for devices with touch screen.

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 is possible to activate it on a "normal" PC.

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

The thing is, this mode isn't activated from a simple Settings menu, but rather It is 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 which Microsoft has not yet officially displayed 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 unzip into a folder of your choiceIt is not installed like a conventional program with a graphical wizard.

Once the files are extracted, you will 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:39281392This specific identifier is what activates the new taskbar experience.

After executing the command, it is 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 be applied.

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 panel of this key, right-click and choose the option to create a “DWORD (32-bit) value”You must name this new value TabletPostureTaskbar, respecting upper and lower case.

Once the value is created, double-click on it to edit it and change its "Value Information" 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 a touch deviceIt will remain hidden while you work and will appear when you move the mouse to the thin center line at the bottom of the screen.

It's important to know that For this feature to work correctly, you need to have at least Windows 11 version 22621.755 installed.If your system is older, the change will most likely have no effect or will function unstably.

Windhawk: Advanced modular customization of the taskbar

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

Windhawk is a free and open-source project that works by standalone modules that are injected into specific Windows processes to change its behavior. Instead of permanently modifying the system, it works in memory while it is active.

The advantage of this approach is that There is no need to manually edit the Registry or apply dangerous patches to internal filesYou install only the modules you need, activate or deactivate them with a switch, and if something doesn't convince you, you instantly return 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, or notification panelamong others. Each module has its own data sheet, technical description, configuration options and, in many cases, example screenshots.

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

Windhawk modules to transform the taskbar

Where Windhawk truly shines is in the way it 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 one called “Taskbar Styler” or Windows 11 taskbar style modifierIts objective is easy to understand: to completely change the appearance of the bar with predefined themes and very detailed style customization options.

With this module you can apply themes that transform 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 Adjust transparency, blur, background color, corner radius, or internal spacing values until it's to your liking.

The changes are reflected instantly, without needing to restart the computer or log out. Simply save the setting within the module for it to take effect. The bar updates in real timeAnd, if at any point you want to return to the standard appearance, you just have to deactivate the module.

Another popular module within Windhawk allows Modify the taskbar height and icon sizeThis is especially useful on high-resolution monitors where the default bar may seem too large and take up more space than necessary.

There are also modules for selectively hide or show system tray iconssuch as the language indicator, network status, volume, or access to the notification center. This way, you can keep an ultra-minimalist bar with only what you actually check daily.

If you're interested in the more technical aspects, there are modules capable of displaying Real-time system metrics alongside the clockCPU usage, RAM consumption, hardware temperature, and internet connection speed are all monitored. It's a quick way to check performance without using resource-intensive applications.

Finally, a much-criticized limitation of Windows 11 is that it no longer allows moving the taskbar to the sides or the top. With Windhawk, some modules They regain the ability to anchor the bar to any edge of the desk., something highly appreciated by users of vertical monitors or multi-screen 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 systemThat's why it's important to understand what Windhawk offers compared to known alternatives.

Tools like TranslucentTB or global shortcuts with PowerToys They are very popular for make the taskbar transparent or apply basic effectsBut 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 taskbarThe problem is that Start11 is paid software, and ExplorerPatcher modifies system files and integration with the Windows shell in a more invasive way.

By working at the memory level and through independent modules, Windhawk is more reversible and less conflicting with Windows updatesIf a module starts malfunctioning 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 that the community can review, improve, and audit what each module doesThis always provides extra confidence when touching 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 adapted to your way of working.

GroDock: an alternative dock to replace or complement the taskbar

For those who have been particularly dissatisfied with the Windows 11 taskbar, there is another interesting option: partially do without it and use an alternative dockThis 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 actually want itIt is a dock for Windows that can be placed on any of the four edges of the screen: top, bottom, left or right, adapting to the configuration that each user prefers.

The good thing is that you can use GroDock in two ways: as a complement to the standard Windows taskbar or as a near-complete replacementIf you choose the second option, the app itself offers the possibility of disabling the Windows toolbar from its own settings.

One of the key features of the new version of GroDock is that it incorporates modular sections to activate only the parts that interest youFor example, you can use it just as an app launcher, as a system indicators area, or as a mix of both.

Among the standout features is the option to Display running applications directly in the dockThis brings it closer to the classic behavior of the taskbar, but with a fully configurable design and position.

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

The application is available in the Microsoft StoreThis facilitates its installation and automatic updates. Although it's presented as a solution still evolving, 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 focus is on offering an alternative experience that breaks with the restrictions of the native taskbargiving 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 and closed element. Among the native settings are the hidden tablet-like interface that you can enable with Vivetool, the almost endless possibilities of Windhawk, and the radical alternative of GroDock.Today it is possible to build a much more modular bar (or even a dock), adapted to both touch devices and desktop PCs, and with the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality for your personal way of working.