The September Windows update finally lets users move the taskbar to any side of the screen, including top, left, or right. This feature, previously available in Windows 10, is now included in Windows 11. Users can reposition the taskbar by going to Settings > Windows Update, checking for updates, and then right-clicking any empty spot on the taskbar to access Taskbar settings. They can then select their preferred position and adjust alignment accordingly. Additionally, the taskbar can now be reduced in height and icons shrunk to smaller sizes.
The update also enhances the Start menu and Search window. The Start menu now allows users to customize its appearance by toggling off sections like Recent, Pinned, and Recommended, and to hide their name and profile picture. The Search window has been streamlined to show only relevant suggestions, reducing clutter.
Security-wise, the update patches 995 vulnerabilities, a new record. This includes 121 critical vulnerabilities and two zero-days, both of which are elevation-of-privilege flaws. One flaw, CVE-2026-81963, affects the Windows Update Stack and could allow attackers to gain system-level privileges. The other, CVE-2026-85880, affects Windows Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC) and has already been actively exploited. Microsoft has also improved reliability, performance, and stability in Windows 11, reducing disruptions from updates and AI integration.
Lance Whitney, a freelance technology writer, highlights these improvements, emphasizing the update’s necessity for users to install due to the extensive security patches and feature enhancements.
Source: ZDNET
