Microsoft’s Windows 10 is highly customizable according to your usage and needs. There are over 1.3 billion Windows 10 users, including those from macOS or Chrome OS. However, these users will have a hard time adjusting with the taskbar, search box, and left-handed app icons. Fortunately, Windows 10 offers several ways to place these app icons in the middle of the taskbar.
Many GT members also keep their app icons in the middle of the taskbar in Windows 10. It’s all about symmetry, right? Microsoft is certainly aware of the trend and has placed application icons and the main Windows button in the middle of the taskbar in its upcoming Windows 11 operating system.
Don’t get your hopes high though. Microsoft has yet to wrap up a lot about Windows 11 and it will be available on compatible devices later this year. For now, you will have to use the mentioned tricks to place app icons in the middle of the task in Windows 10.
1. Native Windows 10 Option
You can manually move app icons in the middle of the taskbar using this trick. Here’s what you need to do.
Using the native taskbar settings, you can easily move application icons in the middle. You need to make sure that the taskbar is not locked on your system.
Follow the steps below.
Stage 1: Move the mouse pointer over the taskbar and right-click on it.
Step 2: Disable Lock taskbar option.
Stage 3: Right click on the taskbar again and open the same menu.
Step 4: Go to Toolbars and enable Links from the menu below.
Step 5: You will see the Links option appearing at the bottom.
Step 6: Drag it to the left side of the taskbar and you will see the application icons slide to the right.
Step 7: Use the three-line indicator next to the app icons and drag them to the middle.
This much. You have successfully moved app icons to the middle of the taskbar in Windows 10. You can now drag and drop new apps from the desktop to the taskbar.
Now go ahead and lock the taskbar from the taskbar settings menu.
2. Use a Third Party App
By using a third-party app, you can have more control over the app icons location in Windows 10.
There are many taskbar configuration apps for Windows 10. Among them, we found TaskbarX, which offers the best bang for your buck.
The app gives you control over the location of your taskbar icons. Users will have a genuine Windows dock-like feel. That’s not all. Adding or removing an icon from the taskbar moves the icons to the center or to the user-given location.
The app also offers the flexibility to play with a variety of different animations and change their speed. You can completely disable animations for instant responsiveness.
TaskbarX will cost you $1.49 and is available in the Microsoft Store.
If you want something lightweight and free, check out TaskDock from the link below. It is a stripped down version of TaskbarX that doesn’t cost anything.
Hide Cortana in Windows 10 Taskbar
With the recent Windows 11 announcement, it’s pretty clear that Microsoft is removing the digital assistant from its future OS release. It was a great concept, but never gained traction among consumers due to its lack of language support and slow search results.
We are sure that most of our readers do not actively use Cortana in Windows 10. There is a quick way to remove the Cortana icon from the taskbar in Windows 10. Here’s how to do this.
Stage 1: Move the mouse pointer over the taskbar.
Step 2: Right-click on it and disable the Show Cortana button.
You will no longer see the Cortana icon in Windows 10. From the same menu, you can hide the News & interests widget and the People menu on the Taskbar.
You can go to the Taskbar settings in the main Windows Settings (Windows + I) app for more options and taskbar customization.
Center App Icons in Windows 10
You don’t have to wait until October 2021 to enjoy the new taskbar in Windows 11. Check out the tips we mentioned above and you can easily place app icons in the middle of the taskbar in Windows 10.
Next: Seeing blurry text in random places in Windows 10? Read the post below to know how to fix blurry text issue in Windows 10.
