With Windows 11, Microsoft has introduced an all-new Start menu and reworked taskbar. By default, the Start button sits at the center of the taskbar, and as a result, the Start menu opens at the center of the screen.
The new centered taskbar icons and Start menu might not be a problem for many users. However, a significant percent of PC users who have been using the Windows operating system for decades are used to seeing the Start menu on the left side of the screen.
Microsoft knows that not all users are going to like the centrally aligned Start menu in Windows 11. So for users who would like to see the Start menu on the left side of the screen, there is an option to configure Windows 11 Start and taskbar to open the Start menu on the left of the screen like in earlier versions.
Contents
Here is how to configure Windows 11 to open the Start menu on the left side of the screen in Windows 11
Step 1: Perform a right-click on an empty spot on the Desktop and click the Personalize option to open the Settings > Personalization page.

Step 2: On the right side, click Taskbar to see settings related to the Taskbar.
Step 3: Scroll down the page to see Taskbar behaviors and click on the same to expand it.
Step 4: Here, change the Taskbar alignment from the default Center to the Left. That’s all! All icons on the taskbar are not aligned to the left, including the Start button. As a result, the Start menu opens on the left side of the display.
Note that there is no option out there to open the Start menu on the left without changing the taskbar alignment. I hope this helps you!
FAQ’s
3. Why has my taskbar gone to the side?
Select Taskbar Settings. At the top of the Taskbar Settings box, make sure the “Lock the taskbar” option is turned off. … The taskbar should then jump to the side of the screen you have chosen. (Mouse users should be able to click and drag an unlocked taskbar to a different side of the screen.)