Forum Discussion
How to enable 'Never Combine taskbar buttons'. Windows 11 ?
Hi @all
I did not find this function 'Never Combine taskbar buttons'. How can this function be found and enabled in windows 11?
I can't work with multi-tab on windows 11.
Thank you!
601 Replies
I just "upgraded" to Windows 11 and did my routine of copying over photos from my SD card via File Explorer. But it seemed like no files were copying over, because I didn't see the copying files popup, and the tab for it was grouped with the original File Explorer tab. I searched for how to ungroup the taskbar tabs, and here I am. How is not allowing "never combine taskbar buttons" useful, Microsoft?? It's like when Google thought they knew what was best for us by getting rid of the WiFi toggle on Android, and grouping it into an option within the Internet toggle.
Pernille-Eskebo, make this work!
- Microsoft does it again, implementing changes users do not want. I can understand if you add an option, but to remove an option many users find a need for is stupid.
The more MS does this the more the door for linux to get more of your market.
I only use windows now as I have the windows based programs that I prefer to use, but now I am looking to replace them and dump windows altogether.
We are not children, we do not need you to tell us how we can use our pc's. Guys, here is the solution you are looking for 🙂 :
https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher
Nurullah1285
Sadly, after last update the explorer patcher caused unusable start button.
I used it... but after the update many problems with the Taskbar started and start button couldn't be used at all. It took me maybe 15 minutes till I found out that it is because of Explorer Patcher!
I don't recommend to use it as of now 😞Peter_Svancarek
Hello.
I should've seen this thread before installing the explorer patcher. My screen's blinking nonstop, and the taskbar's unusable.
The only way I could access things is via task manager. What should I do? Control panel won't open via task manager and I can't seem to uninstall it 😞
- I still see a lot of errors, so I will hold off updating to windows 11.
- Please, please, please bring this back! I constantly have 20+ windows open on multiple monitors. Without text labels, it's really hard to find the right window.
- I will never upgrade to windows 11 until this feature is back.
- Yep, bring back both never combine AND labels on taskbar buttons, jesus christ.
portolyan this is just an average day for my personal computer. I currently have 17 windows open right now for 9 different tasks I'm working on concurrently: 1 Outlook, 2 OneNotes, 1 File Explorer, and 13 Edge windows. None of them are labeled. To switch between any of the 9 tasks or 17 windows requires me to hover over the icons and look at every single one of the little thumbnails that open up to try to figure out if that's the one I'm looking for. If 2 or more are similar in appearance, I literally just have to click through multiple windows until I find the ones I'm looking for. And when I need to have multiple windows open for a single task, it is an absolute nightmare trying to open the "groups" of windows I need at the same time every time I switch.
The next best option is to use virtual desktops to group them, which complicates things even more, because several of Microsoft's own applications (like MS Teams) do not allow you to open the app up in multiple virtual desktops. You can only have one instance open in one window. So if you want to use it in multiple virtual desktops, you have to keep changing switching desktops just to use that one app. It is a horrible, horrible design. And then there are the apps like OneNote which will ALWAYS open the first instance in Desktop #1. So if you want to use OneNote in Desktop #3, you have to go open it in Desktop #1 first, then go to Desktop #3 and open a 2nd instance.
It is obvious that Windows 11 taskbar and virtual desktop was rolled out without thorough testing, even with Microsoft's own applications. Some of them do not even work with it or don't work correctly.
https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2022/04/13/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-22598/
"[Taskbar]
Updated the tooltip on the volume icon to tell you when you’re using spatial sound. "This is the latest available build in the insider program -> there are no improvements we are waiting for!
Unfortunately, everyone who could stay with Windows10 is working normally!
I like the idea of Home being extended to Pro with features like in Windows10!
- Totally agree. It's absurd that we are expected to memorize what every random icon looks like for every application that we will ever use. That is literally impossible. It's almost as bad as the millions of indiscernible icons that mobile apps are using now. The vast majority of them are just totally random shapes or colors that have no correlation to the name or purpose of the app. Microsoft seems hell-bent on forcing the Windows taskbar to have the same God-awful, indecipherable icon cluster. I really don't get it.
If they want to give that layout for all of the millions of Windows users who treat their laptops as nothing more than toys for email and Web surfing, then why can't they just make that the default layout for Windows Home, but for Pro and Pro for Workstations, just give us a high-productivity interface that is conducive to multi-tasking? I really do not get it. I've been a software engineer for over 25 years and am a Microsoft devotee but am just dumbfounded by the Windows 11 taskbar situation. It makes absolutely no sense that they would remove almost every feature that aided multi-tasking. It is perplexing.
Please enable "Never Combine taskbar buttons" Windows 11
This is an accessibility issue.
I need to see the words (the text) in each open window button on the taskbar to select the right window.
The floating windows are not big enough to read or discern which is which.
Please enable the never combine function.
I just want to add who ever thought it was a good idea to remove this feature should be fired.
