Scrollbars are a common feature in Windows 11, and they can be used to show different parts of a document or window in different positions. You can create scrollbars using the Windows 11 Scrollbar Editor, or you can use the Mouse and Keyboard shortcuts to create them. To create a scrollbar in Windows 11, open the Scrollbar Editor and click on the desired part of a document or window to start editing it. The editor is divided into two parts: the first part is for creating scrollbars, and the second part is for editing their properties. The first part of the editor contains all of the basic properties of scrollbars: their position, size, and color. The second part contains more specific properties, such as how they are drawn onscreen. To create a new scrollbar in the editor, click on one of the following buttons:
- Position your cursor at one end of a document or window and drag it to another location; or
- Click on one of the existingscrollbars in your document or window and select its position from the drop-down list; or
- Drag an existing scrollbar from one side of your document or window to another side; or
- Click on an existing scrolling bar in your document or window and select its position from the drop-down list; or
By default, Windows 11 hides most scrollbars when they’re not in use. If you’d prefer to always see scrollbars in windows on your screen, there’s an easy way to keep them on. Here’s how to set it up.
First, open Windows Settings. You can press Windows+i on your keyboard or find it in the Start menu. Open “Start,” search for “Settings,” and then click the “Settings” app icon.
When Settings opens, click “Accessibility” in the sidebar. In Accessibility, select “Visual Effects.”
In Visual Effects, flip the switch beside “Always Show Scrollbars” to the “On” position.
And that’s it! Close Settings, and you’ll always see scrollbars in your windows (unless an app handles its scrollbars independently). If you ever want to hide them again, launch Settings and navigate to Accessibility > Visual Effects, and then turn “Always Show Scrollbars” off.
As an aside, if you’re still using Windows 10, you can find this setting in Settings > Ease of Access > Display. Switch “Automatically Hide Scrollbars in Windows” to “Off.” Happy scrolling!
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