Windows 11 movable taskbar edges closer to general release

Microsoft has brought Windows 11 closer to resembling its Windows 10 counterpart by introducing a movable taskbar in the Release Preview Channel. This feature allows users to position the taskbar at the top, left, or right of the screen, in addition to its default location at the bottom. The request for this capability has been a long-standing one from Windows 11 users.

The movable taskbar has been part of the Windows Insider Program for several months before it finally made its way to the Release Preview Channel recently. Other taskbar improvements in the Release Preview include a compact mode with smaller icons and reduced height, which frees up more desktop space. Although Microsoft has not yet announced a specific timeline for the feature's general availability, the inclusion in the Release Preview suggests a potential rollout within weeks or months.

In addition to the taskbar changes, Windows 11 users now have more customization options for the Start menu, with the ability to choose between small and large layouts. Windows Search has also received updates, making the service more dependable and offering users the ability to remove Microsoft Store and web suggestions from the search results.

For administrators, Microsoft has introduced administrator protection, which allows users to perform elevated tasks using just-in-time privileges. This feature is currently disabled by default but can be enabled through Intune or Group Policy. Microsoft has also removed the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) utility from the Release Preview, which may be welcomed by administrators as its misused by cybercriminals in compromised systems.

WMIC, which was deprecated years ago and absent in the Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 versions, has now been removed from the Features on Demand list. While admins using the utility may feel the change, Microsoft recommends using PowerShell as a replacement.