Windows Insiders Will Soon Get to Test Vertical Taskbar and More

Earlier this year, Pavan Davuluri, the President of Windows and Devices at Microsoft, said that the company wanted to address the “pain points” the company heard from Windows 11 users. That includes improving performance, reliability, and “the overall experience of Windows”, the exec said in January.

In an email sent to Windows Insiders today, Davuluri said that Windows Insiders will soon get to test the ability to move the taskbar to other corners of the screen, as well as other new features that will soon roll out to all Windows 11 users. More performance and reliability improvements will follow throughout the year, but here’s what Insiders will get to test later this month and throughout April:

Taskbar customization options: Microsoft will finally bring back the ability to move the Windows 11 taskbar to the top or sides of the screen, which has been a top-requested feature from users.

File Explorer improvements: Microsoft plans to improve this core Windows app by making it launch more quickly, reducing flicker, and making navigation smoother.

Windows Update improvements: Microsoft will allow Windows 11 users to skip updates during device setup and pause updates for longer when needed.

Widget improvements: Insiders will soon get more control over when and how widgets appear, as well as more personalization options for the Discover feed.

Fewer Copilot integrations: Microsoft plans to remove “unnecessary Copilot entry points” as it plans to integrate AI features where it’s most meaningful, so Copilot-branded features in apps like Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets, and Notepad will be going away.

“Windows touches more people’s lives than almost any technology on Earth. Every day, we hear from the community about how you experience Windows. And over the past several months, the team and I have spent a great deal of time analyzing your feedback. What came through was the voice of people who care deeply about Windows and want it to be better,” Davuluri said today.

Last but not least, Microsoft plans to change how the Windows Insider program works to make it more transparent. We are implementing changes to make it easier for you to navigate with clearer channel definitions, easier access to new features, higher quality builds, better visibility into how your feedback shapes Windows and more opportunities to engage directly with us,” Davuluri said today. A redesigned Feedback Hub has also just started rolling out to Insiders on the Canary and Dev Channels today.