Miss left aligned task bar in Windows 11 - Start11 doesn't help, but it could

from Stardock Forums

I have always configured my launch menus to start from the top-left corner and pull down to the right. It seems natural for a right handed person. For a long time, I have configured Windows with the task bar on the left so that the Start menu was top-left. I started using Start8 to maintain this UI approach and continued doing so with Start10 and Windows 10.
For some stupid reason, MS has eliminated the ability to have a left or right aligned task bar in Windows 11.  I have tried Start11 to address this, but you end up with the task bar on the top with the Start menu top-left.  The Start menu works OK but having the task bar on the top is the worst possible alignment in my mind.
I think that it is time for Start11 to have the option of operating in its own bar that can be aligned to any side of the screen. I would place the Windows 11 task bar at the bottom with the Start menu left aligned. I would align the Start11 bar to the left so that it pulled down from the top-left. Both Start menus would be visible and active, but I would prefer to use the one that is top-left.

4,758 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
I have forward your request to the Stardock Support Team for their review and recommendations. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We really do appreciate your feedback, Thanks

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

I found a way to accomplish what I wanted. It is not ideal, so I wish that Start11 had a better solution.

The article  How to Replace the Start Menu in Windows 11 | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)  provides information on a hack to revert to the old task bar. This allows me to left align the task bar with the Start11 menu pulling down from the top left.  You end up with a nice modernized Windows 7 UI.  However, you loose all of the functionality of the new task bar including the entire Windows Start menu, Taskview, and Search.  

It would be really nice to have the option to place the Start11 start menu in the top left corner (or right for lefties) while still having the new task bar aligned to the bottom as Microsoft insists on.

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

has this condition been resolved since 2021? I also have used left-aligned vertical start bar since Windows 7, just got my first win11 machine after using win10 with side alignment and very disappointed to learn of this deprecated behavior. If Start11 can restore it for me, I'll probably be an immediate customer.  This is what I've had for about 8 years.

Side Aligned Vertical Start Bar