Top 2 Ways to Place App Icons in the Middle of the Taskbar in Windows 10

Microsoft’s Windows 10 is quite customizable depending on your use 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 app icons placed on the left side. Fortunately, Windows 10 allows several ways to move these app icons to the middle of the taskbar.

Many GT members also keep the application icons in the middle of the Windows 10 taskbar. It’s all about symmetry, isn’t it? Microsoft is certainly aware of the trend and has put app icons and the Windows Home button in the middle of the taskbar in the upcoming Windows 11 operating system.

Don’t be too optimistic, however. Microsoft has yet to finalize a lot on Windows 11, and it will launch on compatible devices later this year. For now, you will have to use the mentioned tricks to put app icons in the middle of the task in Windows 10.

1. Windows 10 native option

Using this trick, you can manually move the app icons to the middle of the taskbar. Here is what you need to do.

Using the native taskbar settings, one can easily move the app icons to the middle. You need to make sure that the taskbar is not locked in your system.

Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Hover the mouse pointer over the taskbar and right click on it.

2nd step: Disable the Lock taskbar option.

Step 3: Right-click on the taskbar again and open the same menu.

Step 4: Go to the toolbars and activate the links in the following menu.

Step 5: You will see the Links option appear at the bottom.

Step 6: Drag it to the left side of the taskbar and you will notice the app icons slide to the right side.

Step 7: Use the three-line indicator next to the app icons and drag them to the middle.

That’s it. You have successfully moved the app icons to the center of the Windows 10 taskbar. From now on, you can just 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 application

By using a third-party app, one can have more controls over the position of app icons in Windows 10.

There are many taskbar configurator apps for Windows 10. Among them we found TaskbarX to be the best value for money.

The application will allow you to control the position of the taskbar icons. Users will have an original Windows dock feel. That’s not all. The icons will move to the center or the position given by the user when an icon is added or removed from the taskbar.

The app also offers the ability to play with a variety of different animations and change their speed. You can also turn off animations completely for instant response.

TaskbarX will set you back $ 1.49 and is available on the Microsoft Store.

Download TaskbarX for Windows 10

If you want something light and free, check out TaskDock from the link below. This is a lite version of TaskbarX at no cost.

Download TaskDock for Windows 10

Hide Cortana in the Windows 10 taskbar

With the recent reveal of Windows 11, it’s pretty obvious that Microsoft is removing the digital assistant from the future version of the operating system. It was a cool concept, but it never gained popularity with consumers due to a lack of language support and slow search results.

We’re sure that many of our readers aren’t actively using Cortana on Windows 10. There is a quick way to remove the Cortana icon from the Windows 10 taskbar. Here’s how.

Step 1: Hover the mouse pointer over the taskbar.

2nd step: Right click on it and turn off the Show Cortana button.

You will no longer see the Cortana icon in Windows 10. From the same menu, you can hide the News & Interest widget and the People menu on the taskbar.

For more taskbar options and customization, you can access taskbar settings in the main Windows Settings app (Windows + I).

Center app icons in Windows 10

You don’t have to wait until October 2021 to take advantage of the new Windows 11 taskbar. Check out the tips we mentioned above and you can easily place app icons in the middle of the taskbar. Windows 10.