14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft’s most recent Windows 11 preview build for insiders in the Dev channel brings back the tablet-optimized taskbar the company originally released and later pulled from the operating system.
As its name suggests, the taskbar is specifically optimized for tablets, so it will only be enabled when the operating system runs on such a device.
Obviously, it also turns on automatically on 2-in-1 PCs when the keyboard is removed, and users rely solely on touch input.
“We’re re-introducing the touch-optimized taskbar that’s designed to make you feel more confident and comfortable using your device as a tablet. Your taskbar will automatically transition to this optimized version when you disconnect or fold back the keyboard on your 2-in-1 device. This feature only works on devices that can be used as tablets. It does not work on laptops or desktop PCs,” Microsoft explains.
Currently available only for insiders
Just like before, the tablet-optimized taskbar comes with two different modes called collapsed and expanded.
“As a reminder, there are two states of this taskbar: collapsed and expanded. In the collapsed state, the taskbar gets out your way, gives you more screen space, and prevents you from accidentally invoking the taskbar when you’re holding your tablet. In the expanded state, the taskbar is optimized to be easier to use with touch. You can easily switch between the two states by swiping up and down on the bottom of your device,” the software giant notes.
Worth knowing is that the re-release of the new taskbar is taking place in stages for users in the Windows Insider program, so not everybody is able to try it out just yet. Needless to say, there’s no ETA right now as to when the tablet-optimized taskbar could start rolling out to production devices that aren’t enrolled in the Windows Insider program.