Microsoft releases tablet-optimized taskbar in Build 22563

Microsoft continues to optimize its Windows UI for tablet users. Microsoft announces a new tablet-optimized taskbar and a few changes to its widgets.

The new taskbar is available on the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22563. With this update comes two additional states – collapsed and expanded. While collapsed offers more screen space and prevents accidental button presses, the expanded mode creates ease of use with the touch controls due to bigger icons.

To check if the feature is available on the current device being used, users can check under Settings, and head under Personalization where they would be able to access the Taskbar menu. Once there, a new setting called “Automatically hide the taskbar when using your device tablet” should be available under the Taskbar Behaviors option. Note that the feature is gradually being rolled out hence not all Insiders may have the feature as of yet.

Additionally, Microsoft alters the tablet taskbar experience by implementing a few changes in an attempt to make Widgets more active. Microsoft hopes to create convenience when utilizing the widgets and news without the trouble of creating a new widget canvas. If a customized Widgets board has already been made, no modifications will be made to all pinned widgets.

What do you think of these changes? Let us know in the comment section below.