Microsoft is finally adding the Task Manager link back to the taskbar's context menu in the latest Windows 11 Insider preview build.
Since the release of Windows 11 on October 4, 2021, nearly a year ago, this feature has been a popular entry on user request lists .
Redmond also confirmed that it made changes based on customer feedback, and it's live starting with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25211, which was released to the Dev Channel today.
"Based on your feedback, we've added a link to Task Manager when you right-click on the taskbar," said Amanda Langowski and Brandon LeBlanc of Microsoft.
Insiders who updated the systray from Build 25197 also supports rearranging systray icons .
"If your PC doesn't have these changes, your system tray experience will be the same as before," they added.
Windows 11 Task Manager in the taskbar (Mirosoft)
With today's Dev channel preview release, Microsoft is also starting to roll out a new settings experience for widgets, allowing users to open the widget board when they hover over a taskbar icon.
They'll also see toggles for showing notification badges and showing notifications as a rotating widget on the taskbar.
In a separate Insider build (Build 22623.730) for the Beta channel, the company has also reintroduced a touch-optimized taskbar that should make using Windows 11 devices more comfortable as tablets.
"When you disconnect or fold the keyboard on a 2-in-1, your taskbar will automatically transition to this optimized version," Langowski and LeBlanc said.
"This feature only works on devices that can be used as tablets. It doesn't work on laptops or desktops."
In February, Microsoft also restored taskbar drag and drop support with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22557 released to the Dev Channel.
With this change, Windows 11 once again allows users to drag and drop files between apps by hovering over taskbar icons.