Microsoft is finally addressing the most frustrating aspect of Windows 11.

      Microsoft

      For a number of Windows users, the taskbar in Windows 11 has often seemed unexpectedly limiting. Microsoft revamped the interface to offer a sleeker, more contemporary appearance, but in doing so, it eliminated several customization features that users had relied on for years. One major grievance? The inability to move the taskbar around the screen at will. Now, it appears that Microsoft is finally ready to provide more flexibility.

      The company has begun testing a significant redesign of the taskbar and Start menu for Windows 11 Insiders in its Experimental channel. This move feels like Microsoft is recognizing that users desire a more personalized experience on their PCs.

      Windows 11 might soon exhibit much more adaptability

      The most notable alteration is the reintroduction of a movable taskbar. Instead of being fixed at the bottom of the screen, users in the test build can now relocate it to the top or position it vertically along either side of the display. While this may seem like a minor adjustment, for longtime Windows users, it represents a significant shift. Earlier Windows iterations allowed such flexibility for years before Windows 11 opted for a more fixed design.

      Zac Bowden / X

      Microsoft is also experimenting with various taskbar sizes, including a compact version that may be particularly beneficial for smaller laptops and tablets where every bit of screen space is crucial. The Start menu is also becoming more adaptable. Users will reportedly have the option to resize it and toggle between smaller and larger layouts based on how they prefer to arrange apps and shortcuts.

      The company is finally paying attention

      In addition to the visual updates, Microsoft is working on decluttering parts of the Start menu that many users found overwhelming or superfluous. New controls will allow users to choose which sections are displayed in the menu, including areas for pinned apps, recommendations, and app lists. Notably, Microsoft is renaming the “Recommended” section to “Recent,” which genuinely makes the feature clearer at a glance. This section primarily displays recently accessed files and newly installed apps, so the previous name often seemed ambiguous.

      Paulo Vargas / Digital Trends

      There are also smaller yet thoughtful privacy enhancements being introduced. For instance, users will have the option to conceal their profile photo and account name from the Start menu, which could be useful during presentations or screen-sharing sessions. Microsoft has indicated that these updates will be rolled out to Insider testers over the coming weeks. Crucially, the company acknowledges that the Start menu and taskbar are areas where users evaluate Windows the most critically. After years of feedback regarding Windows 11’s limited customization options, this update appears to be a serious response to that criticism.

      Shimul is a contributor at Digital Trends, with over five years of experience in the tech industry.

      Mozilla is battling to demonstrate that VPNs are vital privacy tools for everyone

      Mozilla is advocating for UK regulators to uphold privacy safeguards as global restrictions increase.

      There was once a time when VPNs were predominantly linked to office workers accessing company networks or individuals trying to bypass region-locked Netflix content. Now, they have somehow become one of the internet's most politically sensitive instruments. Mozilla is the latest entity raising concerns, alerting UK regulators that VPNs are still "essential privacy and security tools" that should not be undermined or treated as dubious circumvention software. This warning comes amidst escalating discussions surrounding online age verification, content moderation, and broader internet regulations across Europe and beyond.

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      ASUS ROG’s debut DDR5 memory kit is impressively fast, flashy, and incredibly pricey

      The 48GB DDR5-6000 CL26 kit is part of the brand’s 20th anniversary celebration.

      ASUS ROG currently offers a range of gaming laptops, monitors, motherboards, GPUs, coolers, PSUs, routers, keyboards, and nearly half of the average enthusiast's setup. Thus, when rumors emerged last year hinting that the company was preparing its own DDR5 RAM, it felt like a foregone conclusion, especially as the prices for premium memory continued to rise. ASUS has now officially launched the ROG DDR5 RGB Edition 20 during its ongoing 20th anniversary festivities.

      ASUS ROG’s initial DDR5 kit is extravagantly premium in every conceivable way.

      Asus has introduced a sleek gaming mini PC, but the price will leave you in disbelief

      This compact gaming powerhouse costs more than many complete desktop setups.

      Asus has unveiled the 2026 ROG NUC 16, a miniature gaming PC designed for those who desire a powerful configuration without needing a full desktop tower. It can be positioned vertically or horizontally on a desk, and there’s also a Moonlight White version for customers seeking a more refined aesthetic. The downside, however, is the price.

      In China, the updated ROG NUC 16 has a starting price of CNY 29,999, which is approximately $4,405. The white model is priced at CNY 31,999, or around $4