Never Combine Taskbar in Windows 11: How to Enable it

A comprehensive guide on getting back a useful feature

2 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

The lack of the ability to Never Combine Taskbar on Windows 11 is one of the biggest weaknesses that this OS has. Windows 10 and earlier versions can ungroup items on the taskbar. But, in Windows 11 there is no setting to ungroup taskbar items, which annoys many users.

This feature adds a text tag to the taskbar icon and shows each app as a single button until the taskbar becomes overloaded. When the taskbar is full of app buttons, multiple open windows of the same app will be combined into a single app icon with a frame.

It seems that the waters have settled a bit now since the significant backlash that Microsoft faced from users that were unhappy with many of the changes that the tech company has in mind for the new OS.

Nevertheless, a recent update suggests that Microsoft has reversed its decision and reintroduced this functionality inWindows 11 Build 23466(May 2023). Currently available on the Dev channel, this build brings numerous enhancements, such as the inclusion of theDev Drivefeature and the revival of the never combine feature on the taskbar – and it looks like this:

In this guide, we’ll cover both ways where you can set up the never combine feature on the taskbar, whether it’s through Microsoft’s official channel or third-party tweaks.

How to enable the Never combine taskbar feature on Windows 11 OS?

1. Third-party tweak

You can use the Never Combine Taskbar feature by using Winaero Tweaker to set your Start Menu and Taskbar back to Classic Mode, and then changing notification area icons via Settings on your PC.

CreatePowershellandEdgeshortcuts on your desktop.
Go to theWinaero Tweaker’s official websiteand download and install the program.
OpenWinaeroand set the option:Enable Classic Taskbar and Start menu
Restart the PC or re-login into your account.

Apparently, after performing these steps, theTaskbarchanges, but the Windows button doesn’t work, while date, volume, and others don’t appear in theTaskbar. This can be, however, resolved with the following steps:

PressWindows+Rto open theRundialog, paste the following command, and hitEnter:
SelectTurn system icons on or offand enable all of the options, then pressOK.
OpenEdgeand install the Classic Start menu.
To ungroup the buttons in theTaskbar, launchPowerShellas an administrator and run this command:
Restart your PC.

2. Microsoft’s official build

Make sure you haveWindows 11 Build 23466installed.
Open the Start menu and click on theSettingsicon (it looks like a gear). Then, selectPersonalization.
On the left side of thePersonalizationsettings, click onTaskbar.
Scroll down in the Taskbar settings until you findTaskbar behaviors. Click on it.
Look for the option labeledNever Combined Modeand make sure it is enabled or turned on.
Once enabled, each window of your applications will appear individually on the taskbar, along with their corresponding labels.

Have you tried this technique? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

Never Combine Taskbar in Windows 11: How to Enable it#

How to enable the Never combine taskbar feature on Windows 11 OS?#

1. Third-party tweak#

2. Microsoft’s official build#

Never Combine Taskbar in Windows 11: How to Enable it

How to enable the Never combine taskbar feature on Windows 11 OS?

1. Third-party tweak

2. Microsoft’s official build