Windows 10 does not natively support centered taskbar icons, but you can achieve it using third-party tools or manual workarounds. 1. Use a third-party tool like StartIsBack (paid, with free trial) or ExplorerPatcher (free, open-source): install the software, open settings, go to the Taskbar tab, and enable "Align taskbar buttons to the center" (StartIsBack ) or "Center taskbar buttons" (ExplorerPatcher). 2. Use the manual spacing trick: create a shortcut to a transparent 1x1 pixel image, pin it to the taskbar, and position it to the left of your apps to push them toward the center, optionally using a transparent icon to hide it. 3. Be aware of limitations: centered icons are not natively supported in Windows 10, updates may break third-party tweaks, and system tray icons remain on the far right. For most users, ExplorerPatcher is the best free option, while StartIsBack offers additional Start menu customization.
Windows 10 doesn’t natively support centering taskbar icons like macOS or Windows 11, but there are a few workarounds to achieve a centered taskbar layout. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Use a Third-Party Tool (Recommended)
Since Windows 10 doesn’t offer built-in centering, the most effective way is using lightweight third-party software. One popular and reliable option is StartIsBack or ExplorerPatcher.
StartIsBack
- This tool allows deep customization of the taskbar and Start menu.
- After installing:
- Open StartIsBack settings.
- Go to the Taskbar tab.
- Check the option "Align taskbar buttons to the center".
- Apply and close.
Note: StartIsBack is paid software (free trial available), but it’s stable and widely used.
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ExplorerPatcher (Free Alternative)
- Open-source tool that mimics Windows 11 features in Windows 10/11.
- Download from GitHub (search "ExplorerPatcher").
- Install and open the app.
- Right-click its system tray icon → Settings → Taskbar.
- Enable "Center taskbar buttons".
This method is free and regularly updated.
2. Manual Spacing Trick (No Software)
If you prefer not to install anything, you can fake centering by adding invisible spacers to the taskbar.

Steps:
- Download a small transparent image (1x1 pixel) or create one.
- Create a shortcut to this image:
- Right-click desktop → New → Shortcut.
- In location, type:
explorer.exe .
(or just point to the image). - Name it something like "Spacer".
- Pin the shortcut to the taskbar:
- Drag the shortcut to the taskbar, or right-click → Pin to Taskbar.
- Move the spacer shortcut to the left of your apps to push them toward the center.
- Adjust with multiple spacers if needed.
Tip: You can hide the icon by using a transparent icon file (.ico) when creating the shortcut.
This method is limited and not perfectly dynamic, but works for static setups.
3. Limitations to Know
- No native support: Microsoft only added centered taskbar in Windows 11.
- Updates may break tweaks: Third-party tools can sometimes conflict after Windows updates.
- System tray icons stay left: Only app buttons are centered; system icons (clock, volume, etc.) remain on the far right.
For most users, ExplorerPatcher is the best free option. If you want more control over the Start menu too, StartIsBack is worth considering.
Basically, it’s not built in—but with a small tool, it’s totally doable.
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