How to modify Windows 11 Taskbar via Intune and GPO

The release of Windows 11 by Microsoft has witnessed widespread adoption in recent times, but nothing has changed from Windows 10 in terms of customizing the taskbar in Windows 11. The sole modification is that a.json file has taken the place of the Start Menu section of the XML file, which is no longer needed. In this guide, I will show you how to modify the Windows 11 Taskbar using Intune and Group Policy Objects. You can also learn how to Hide or Remove the Search Button from Windows 11 Taskbar, how to Hide or Remove the Search Button from Windows 10 Taskbar.

Also see how to create Task Manager Shortcut: How to add access, pin the Task Manager on Windows 11, Microsoft blocks workaround that enables Windows 11 users to avoid its Edge Browser. See how to carry out some other common tasks on Windows 11 in the following guides; how to end a program via the Task Manager in Windows 11, how to enable or disable Screen Saver in Windows 10 or Windows 11 via Windows Settings or Group Policy, and 5 ways to take screenshots on Windows 11.

Before you can modify the Taskbar using GPO, you need to create the start layout XML file with the below code. I have created mine as Taskbar.xml and saved it on the Desktop of my PC.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LayoutModificationTemplate
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/LayoutModification"
    xmlns:defaultlayout="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/FullDefaultLayout"
    xmlns:start="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/StartLayout"
    xmlns:taskbar="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/TaskbarLayout"
    Version="1">
  <CustomTaskbarLayoutCollection PinListPlacement="Replace">
    <defaultlayout:TaskbarLayout>
      <taskbar:TaskbarPinList>
        <taskbar:DesktopApp DesktopApplicationID="MSEdge"/>
        <taskbar:DesktopApp DesktopApplicationID="Microsoft.Windows.Explorer"/>
      </taskbar:TaskbarPinList>
    </defaultlayout:TaskbarLayout>
 </CustomTaskbarLayoutCollection>
</LayoutModificationTemplate>

Removing "PinListPlacement="Replace" from the XML file will simply add pinned apps to the TaskBar and make it different from the default one.

Modify Windows 11 Taskbar using Intune

Using the same Configuration Profile that we used for the Windows 10 Start Menu layout, we can install a Custom Taskbar layout with Intune. Prior to the end user logging in for the first time, the policy must be implemented.

To do this, login into your Intune account using this link, and click on All Services->Devices-> Windows

Next, create a configuration profile and select "Device Restriction".

In the Device Restriction tab, click on the "Start" section to import the.xml file to use. I have my XML file saved in a folder named “Custom Taskbar.”

Now import the XML file:

Modify Windows 11 Taskbar using Group Policy

The “Start Layout” policy we used for Windows 10 to import the Taskbar and Start Menu layout can be used to deploy a customized Taskbar via Group Policy. The taskbar portion continues to function. Put the.xml file on a share so that the client may access it.
Note: If this approach is utilized, the end user will no longer be able to PIN any apps to the Start Menu.

To modify Windows 11 Taskbar using Group Policy, follow the steps below:

1. From the floating taskbar on your Windows 11, click on the search for Group Policy

As highlighted in the image below, double-click to open it.

2. From the Local Group Policy window, click to expand the Computer Configuration tab, select Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar and then Start Menu Layout

3. Double-click on the Start Layout and select "Enabled". In the Group Policy, you need to point to the “taskbar.xml” file you want the computer to use as shown on the screenshot below.

The change the end user made to the Taskbar on the next login will be overwritten if the Group Policy is applied to a computer that has already been deployed.