Description: Windows 11 introduced a new taskbar which removed commonly utilized features and functions. This, for the time being, has left users who prefer those legacy settings to depend on 3rd party applications to restore them. Some of these features include:  Disable the Combining of Taskbar items Taskbar right click Menu Taskbar positioning options Small taskbar icons NOTE: HPG IT recommends that employees proceed without any modification of their system and attempt to adjust to the new UI of Windows 11. Company owned devices may require assistance from IT to install this application. HPG IT will not install the application unless requested to do so by the employee through the help desk. Resolution: The primary resolution for all the above is to install this application:  https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases  Download Explorer Patcher: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases/latest/download/ep_setup.exe  When the download completes, you may be prompted with a warning that the file is not commonly downloaded and to open it only if you trust it. Click the three dot (...) menu and select Keep. You'll be prompted again, select show More and then click Keep anyway Open the downloaded application. Click Yes when prompted. The application will then install and run. Note, it will take a minute or two before completing, but you will see the below notification when it does fully complete Disable Taskbar Items Combining Issue: Taskbar combines app icons Resolution: By default, the Explorer Patcher application described above will resolve this issue. If you do not what this feature enabled, but prefer other options this application provides, you can: Right click the taskbar and select Properties Click on "Combine taskbar icons on primary taskbar: ...." and select Always Combine Repeat this step for "Combine taskbar icons on secondary taskbar(s):...." if you have multiple screens Change Position of the Taskbar Issue: You prefer the taskbar to be located at the top, left, or right of your screen instead of the bottom.  Resolution: Make sure that you have Explorer Patch installed and follow below steps to reposition the taskbar Right click the taskbar and select Properties Click "Primary taskbar location on screen *:..." and select the position you would like to place the taskbar Press the "Restart File Explorer (*)" link at the bottom of the Properties. Repeat steps 2-3 for "Secondary taskbar(s) location on screen:..." Your taskbar is now relocated to where you chose Change Taskbar Icon Size Issue: Windows 11 taskbar is slightly larger than the Windows 10 default or you prefer the small sized icons that was an option in previous version of Windows Resolution: Make sure that you have installed Explorer Patch and follow below instructions Right click the taskbar and select Properties Click on "Taskbar icon size:..." and select small Your taskbar icons are not small

Issue Description: Windows 11 places the icons and start menu at the center of the taskbar by default. All previous versions of Windows placed these on the left of the screen. This guide will show users how to move the start menu and icons to the left.  Issue Example: Solution:  Right-click anywhere on the taskbar and select Taskbar Settings from the pop-up menu.  This will take you directly to the Personalization > Taskbar screen.  Here you can add/remove some of the items that appear on the taskbar, such as Search, Task view, Widgets, and Chat, which can be useful for keeping it clean.   The option you are looking for can be found at the bottom of this screen: Taskbar behaviors. Expand this section by clicking on it Set the taskbar alignment to 'Left'.  Conclusion: Your start menu and taskbar icons are now aligned on the left of the screen.

Windows 11 is coming to HPG and personal computers at a rapid rate. By the end of 2023, Windows 11 will be the primary operating system for the entirety of HPG and its subsidiaries. The HPG IT team has put together some resources that will help employee familiarize themselves with Windows 11. Below are topics that you may find useful, click the topic to view resources provided directly by Microsoft.  Topics Accessibility: Make Windows 11 more accessible, easier to interact with, or assist with specific disabilities. Organize: Discover ways to interact with and organize your windows, start menu, and more. Search: Search faster and easier Security: Though HPG manages the security on company computers, you may want to know about security features of Windows 11 for your personal or family computer Shortcuts: Useful time saving shortcuts Touch: Learn how to navigate using your touchscreen (not on all computers) Tutorials Windows 11 Full Tutorial - A 2 Hour Course to Learn and Master Windows 11