Windows 11 Build 26300.8493 Brings Movable Taskbar, Smaller Taskbar Mode, and Fluid Dictation to More Languages

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Build 26300.8493 to the Experimental channel. This update introduces the option to move the Taskbar to any edge of the screen for the first time since Windows 11’s launch. It also adds a smaller Taskbar option, updates Widgets behavior, expands Fluid Dictation language support, and features a redesigned set of system spinners.

The ability to move the Taskbar was a frequently requested feature since Windows 11 removed the Taskbar positioning options in 2021.

This change was part of the Windows K2 initiative, Microsoft's effort to address long-standing complaints about Windows 11.

Movable Taskbar and New Smaller Mode

The Taskbar can now be moved to different positions through Settings, Personalization, Taskbar, Taskbar behaviors. You can choose to place it at the bottom, top, left, or right of the screen.

Tooltips, flyouts, and animations still originate from the Taskbar in each position. Most customization options, including the small Taskbar setting and the option to never combine icons, work across all locations.

However, some features are not yet available in the alternative positions. Touch gestures, the Search box, and Ask Copilot are still being developed. Auto-hidden and touch-optimized Taskbar modes are not supported when the Taskbar is moved.

A new option to show smaller taskbar buttons is now available in Settings under Personalization, Taskbar, Taskbar behaviors. When enabled, it reduces both the size of icons and the overall height of the Taskbar. Start, Search, and the system tray scale together to keep everything aligned.

The default Taskbar appearance remains unchanged for users who do not enable this setting. Microsoft has indicated that further adjustments to Taskbar resizing are currently in development.

Widget Updates and Smarter Windows Search

The color of widget badging now matches the Windows accent color instead of always appearing red. Microsoft says this change helps reduce the sense of urgency for non-critical updates.

The company is also testing a feature where users with low widget engagement will automatically experience a quieter widget experience, which includes turning off taskbar badging.

Microsoft has started rearranging Search Box results so that files and apps appear before web suggestions when the user's query matches them more closely.

Fluid Dictation Upgrades and New System Spinners

Fluid Dictation now supports Spanish and French for Windows Insiders. The feature automatically corrects grammar, punctuation, and filler words during voice dictation. It runs on small on-device language models and can be used through Windows voice access or Voice typing with Win + H.

Microsoft has replaced the old loading visuals with uniform solid donut spinners across the Boot, Logon, Restart, Shutdown, and Update screens. Each scenario now includes status text alongside the spinner, displaying messages like "Restarting," "Working on updates," and "Welcome."

Reliability Improvements and Performance Fixes

The build introduces the first in a series of ongoing logon performance optimizations that Microsoft plans to release over the next few months.

It also brings several other improvements, including enhanced reliability when switching between multiple desktops, more consistent notifications from the Simple Service Discovery Protocol, and greater stability of the dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth command.

Additionally, there are fixes for issues such as a PC not staying asleep after updates and problems where the Properties window was not opening correctly for the Recycle Bin and some other scenarios. The refreshed Run dialog now navigates through history with arrow keys on first launch.

Build 26300.8493 is currently being rolled out to the Experimental channel. Microsoft has not announced when these changes will be available to broader Windows 11 users.

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