Windows 11 Update 2026 (version 26H2) does not introduce any surprising desktop fixes. However, it brings meaningful improvements to three of the most used operating system experiences, including the Start menu, the taskbar, and Windows Search.
Throughout the 2026 development cycle, Microsoft has been paying attention to adding long-requested customization options, simplifying navigation, and improving search accuracy.
Before proceedingit is worth clarifying when these changes are expected to appear Version 26H2Microsoft will continue to introduce new improvements with monthly updates. As such, changes to the Start menu, taskbar, and Search are also expected to roll out in version 25H2. This is possible even before they are available for version 26H2.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the biggest changes that come with version 26H2.
The taskbar changes
When Microsoft first introduced Windows 11, it introduced a redesigned Taskbar with a clean, modern look. However, that redesign also removed several long-standing customization options, including the ability to move the Taskbar to different edges of the screen. This change quickly became one of the most criticized design decisions of the system.
Opened Windows 11 version 26H2, the company finally restores that functionality. Users can now position the taskbar at the top, bottom, left, or right of the edge of the display, restoring the level of flexibility available in previous versions.
The operating system also automatically adjusts the interface based on the selected area of the taskbar. For example, when the Taskbar is placed at the top of the screen, the Start menu and Search interface open downwards from the top. The taskbar buttons, system tray icons, and clock have also been properly repositioned to match the selected layout.
There is a slight difference when using the vertical taskbar. The clock displays the year using an abbreviated format instead of the full four-digit year, and the option to display seconds is not currently available. However, both layouts (left and right) fully support application separation and labels when using the “Never mix” option.
You can change the location of the Taskbar from Settings > Personalization > Job bar > Taskbar behaviorwhere Microsoft includes a live preview of each layout before applying the change.
Another legacy customization that didn’t make it into the new build was the ability to resize the Taskbar. In addition, the Taskbar is significantly taller than previous versions, in part because the company has deliberately optimized the experience for touch devices.
Now, in version 26H2, there is a new option under “Taskbar Area” which allows users to make the Taskbar smaller.
One important note I want to make is that if you use the small Taskbar, it will make the icons smaller, and the option to make the icons smaller at the bottom of the page will be disabled.
The Start Menu has been one of the most controversial parts of Windows 11 since the operating system launched. Although the company replaced the aging Windows 10 design with a simple interface, the new experience gave up many customization options in the process. As part of Windows 11 version 26H2, the company is (sort of) re-introducing several changes that give users more control over how the start menu looks and behaves.
Although the redesign modernized the Start menu, it also removed several customization options, making it one of the most criticized parts of Windows 11. Since its inception, users have repeatedly asked for greater flexibility and control of the experience.
In this release, Microsoft addresses many of those requests with a series of long-awaited improvements.
The start menu is also becoming more customizable. Rather than forcing a layout based on your display size, Windows 11 will include options for different sizes for you to choose. You won’t be able to drag the edges to resize the menu or switch to a full-screen layout like Windows 10, but having preset sizes is a welcome improvement.
Microsoft is also adding more ways to customize the start menu. Now you can choose whether the “Pinned,” “Latest” (Previously recommended), and “everything” sections appear, making it easy to hide the parts you don’t use.
The company also separates file recommendations from system recommendations. As a result, users can turn off recommended content from the start menu without touching recent files or the Jump List elsewhere on the desktop, such as in the Taskbar and File Explorer.
The company is also adding a privacy feature to the start menu. The new setting hides a user’s account name and profile picture while sharing a screen, helping to prevent personal or work-related information from appearing during meetings, presentations, or live streaming.
Windows 11 also gets a new privacy option for the start menu. The feature is designed for users who share their screen during meetings, presentations, or live broadcasts by hiding sensitive content that may reveal personal or work-related information.
These new customization and privacy settings are available from Settings > Personalization > Startwhich gives users more control over one of Windows 11’s most frequently used features.
Search for changes
Windows Search also gets one of its biggest updates since Windows 11 was launched, Microsoft focused on a clean interface, more relevant results, and greater user control.
One of the most notable changes is the redesigned search homepage. Instead of displaying trending topics, promotional content, and other distractions, the experience now focuses on your most recent search, making it easy to go back to previous queries while reducing visual clutter.
Microsoft is also changing the way Windows Search displays results. If the web result is the best match, Search now puts the answer front and center instead of prioritizing products or sponsored content. The interface has also been updated with better spacing, clearer source labels, and icon previews to make scanning results easier.
For users who prefer a local search experience, Windows 11 now includes different options to turn off web results and Microsoft Store suggestions. These settings are available from Settings > Privacy and security > Searchallowing you to customize your experience according to your preferences.
Behind the scenes, the software giant also updated the rating system to prioritize local content. For example, apps, settings, and files now appear before web and Microsoft Store results when they are most relevant, making it faster to find content stored on your computer. As part of this improvement, the settings search is more accurate and always at the top of the results.
The company also improved search accuracy by improving support for misspelled queries, missing or extra letters, and partial words. In addition, Windows Search can now find local files using just two lowercase letters and does a better job of identifying similar clouds and linked files when it’s the most relevant result.
Finally, Microsoft also made the Search box taller by increasing its height by four pixels.
Windows Central’s Take
I think version 26H2 is shaping up to be another active update. Instead of chasing another visual redesign or introducing features that only appeal to a small group of users, the company is finally improving the components of Windows 11 that millions of people interact with every day. Changes to the movable Taskbar, more control of the Start menu, and a cleaner Windows Search experience show that Microsoft is listening to user feedback.
I also like that these changes focus on giving users more choices rather than forcing a new way of using the operating system. While I’d like to see more customization, like resizing the freeform Start menu or more Taskbar options, this is a sensible step in the right direction.
What are your thoughts on the new start menu, taskbar, and search changes coming to Windows 11 26H2? Let me know in the comments.
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