Windows 11 introduced a new taskbar design that groups multiple windows of the same app under a single icon. While this can help declutter your taskbar, it can also make it harder to quickly switch between specific windows. Fortunately, there are ways to disable taskbar grouping and show individual window buttons like in previous Windows versions.
The ability to ungroup taskbar icons was initially removed in early versions of Windows 11. However, Microsoft has since added this option back in more recent updates. Let’s look at how to disable taskbar grouping natively in Windows 11 as well as some alternative methods if the built-in option isn’t available.
Method 1: Use Windows 11’s Built-in Taskbar Settings
If you’re running Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, you can disable taskbar grouping directly in the system settings:
Step 1: Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings”.
Step 2: In the Settings window that opens, scroll down to the “Taskbar behaviors” section.
Step 3: Look for the option labeled “Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels”. Click the dropdown menu next to it.
Step 4: Select “Never” from the dropdown options. This will immediately ungroup your taskbar icons and show labels for each window.
If you don’t see this option, make sure your Windows 11 is up to date by checking for updates in Settings > Windows Update.
Method 2: Use the Registry Editor
For some older versions of Windows 11, you may need to modify the registry to disable taskbar grouping. Be cautious when editing the registry, as incorrect changes can cause system issues.
Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type “regedit”, and press Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Step 3: Right-click in the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it “TaskbarGlomLevel”.
Step 4: Double-click the new value and set its data to 2.
Step 5: Restart your computer or sign out and back in for the changes to take effect.
Method 3: Use Third-Party Software
If the above methods don’t work for your Windows 11 version, you can try third-party tools designed to modify the taskbar behavior:
Step 1: Research reputable taskbar customization tools like StartAllBack, ExplorerPatcher, or TaskbarX.
Step 2: Download and install your chosen tool from the official website.
Step 3: Open the tool and look for options related to taskbar grouping or combining.
Step 4: Disable taskbar grouping using the tool’s settings.
Remember to exercise caution when using third-party software and only download from trusted sources.
Customizing Other Taskbar Settings
While you’re adjusting your taskbar, consider exploring these additional customization options:
- Taskbar alignment: Center or left-align your taskbar icons.
- Show/hide system tray icons: Control which icons appear in the notification area.
- Taskbar corner overflow: Manage less frequently used icons.
- Taskbar behaviors on multiple displays: Customize how the taskbar appears across monitors.
These settings can be found in the same Taskbar settings menu where you disabled grouping.
Disabling taskbar grouping in Windows 11 can significantly improve your workflow, especially if you frequently work with multiple windows of the same application. Experiment with different taskbar configurations to find the setup that works best for you.