Windows 11 brought a sleek new design to the taskbar, but it also removed some customization options that many users loved in Windows 10. One of the most missed features is the ability to expand the taskbar to multiple rows. Fortunately, there are ways to bring this functionality back to Windows 11. This guide will show you how to add multiple rows to your Windows 11 taskbar using third-party tools, giving you more space for your pinned and running applications.
Method 1: Using Windhawk
Windhawk is a powerful customization tool that allows you to modify various aspects of Windows 11, including the taskbar. It’s an excellent option for users who want granular control over their taskbar’s appearance and functionality.
Step 1: Download and install Windhawk from the official website (windhawk.net). You can choose between a standard installation or a portable version.
Step 2: Launch Windhawk and click on the “Browse for Mods” button in the main interface.
Step 3: Search for and install two specific mods: “Multirow taskbar for Windows 11” and “Taskbar height and icon size”. These mods will work together to give you the multi-row taskbar functionality.
Step 4: After installation, click on the “Details” tab of the “Multirow taskbar for Windows 11” mod, then switch to the “Settings” tab.
Step 5: In the “Rows” field, enter the number of rows you want for your taskbar. For most users, 2 or 3 rows should be sufficient, but you can add more if needed.
Step 6: Click the “Save settings” button to apply the changes. You should see the taskbar immediately adjust to show multiple rows.
Step 7: To fine-tune the appearance, click on the “Details” button of the “Taskbar height and icon size” mod and switch to its “Settings” tab.
Step 8: Adjust the values for “Icon size”, “Taskbar height”, and “Taskbar button width” until you’re satisfied with the look of your multi-row taskbar.
Step 9: Click “Save settings” to apply these adjustments.
You may need to experiment with these settings a few times to get the perfect layout for your needs. The beauty of Windhawk is that it allows for real-time adjustments, so you can see the changes immediately as you make them.
Method 2: Using ExplorerPatcher
ExplorerPatcher is another popular tool that can help you customize Windows 11 to look and function more like Windows 10, including the ability to have a multi-row taskbar.
Step 1: Download ExplorerPatcher from its GitHub repository. Be sure to get the latest stable release.
Step 2: Install ExplorerPatcher by running the downloaded file. It will apply some preset settings automatically.
Step 3: Right-click on the taskbar and select the “Properties” option from the context menu.
Step 4: In the Properties window that opens, go to the “Taskbar” category.
Step 5: Click on the “Taskbar style” dropdown menu and select “Windows 10 (ExplorerPatcher)” from the options.
Step 6: Restart File Explorer to apply the changes. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, finding “Windows Explorer” in the list, right-clicking it, and selecting “Restart”.
Step 7: After Explorer restarts, right-click on the taskbar again and uncheck the “Lock the taskbar” option if it’s enabled.
Step 8: Move your mouse cursor to the top edge of the taskbar until it changes to a double-sided arrow.
Step 9: Click and drag upwards to expand the taskbar, creating additional rows for your icons.
To further customize the appearance, you can go to Windows Settings (press Win + I), navigate to Personalization > Taskbar, and set “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels” to “Never”. This will give you a more traditional Windows 10-style taskbar with labels for each open application.
Both Windhawk and ExplorerPatcher offer powerful ways to bring back the multi-row taskbar functionality to Windows 11. Windhawk provides more granular control and allows for easier fine-tuning, while ExplorerPatcher gives you a more Windows 10-like experience overall. Choose the method that best fits your needs and comfort level with system modifications. Remember to create a system restore point before making any significant changes to your Windows configuration, just in case you need to revert the changes.