This article explains how to customize the Windows 11 taskbar, including how icons are placed, how big the taskbar buttons are, and more.
Windows 11 Taskbar Customization Tutorial
Windows 11 is the first version of Windows to put the Start menu and other icons in the center of the taskbar instead of the left side. But it doesn't have to stay that way.
This is a very simple change that you can make through Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Behavior.
The Start button is the only thing that should be on the taskbar. Everything else is customizable, which means you can drag icons to reorder them, hide widgets and other default icons, and pin new icons to the taskbar.