Forum Discussion
Ungroup items on the Taskbar in Windows 11
I need help on how to ungroup items on the Taskbar in Windows 11
113 Replies
- I really cannot believe how Microsoft just decided to remove that functionality without care of the professional users. This could work for some teen or gamer or whatever, but in my daily work I usually have multiple windows with multiple tabs in each of them. I have also Mac and I really do not like how the task bar is organized. Why do they want to make Windows look to MacOS? It doesn't make sense.
Grouping items on the taskbar reduces my productivity. Users should have the option to group or ungroup identical to Windows 10.
- The taskbar grouping in Windows 11 is terrible for me. As a software developer with dozens of windows and virtual desktops running, grouping adds additional steps often when I need to switch applications. MacOS or Linux is much faster for my workflow.
- Please MSFT, reverse this decision!!! Forcing grouping upon us is TERRIBLE! Stop trying to copy Apple, we appreciate MSFT providing choices and options that don't copy Apple. If we liked what Apple did, we'd buy their products.
Open Powershell -> Start Menu -> Run -> taskmgr -> File -> Run new Task -> %SystemRoot%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -> Select "Create this task with administrative privileges." -> Click OK.
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope LocalMachine -Force # Restore the Classic Taskbar in Windows 11 New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages" -Name "UndockingDisabled" -PropertyType DWord -Value "00000001"; Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages" -Name "UndockingDisabled" -Value "00000001"; # Disable Taskbar / Cortana Search Box on Windows 11 New-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" -Name "SearchboxTaskbarMode" -PropertyType DWord -Value "00000000"; Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" -Name "SearchboxTaskbarMode" -Value "00000000"; # Ungroup Taskbar Icons / Enable Text Labels in Windows 11 New-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" -Name "NoTaskGrouping" -PropertyType DWord -Value "00000001"; Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" -Name "NoTaskGrouping" -Value "00000001"; ./taskkill /f /im explorer.exe; ./CMD /Q /C START /REALTIME explorer.exe;Run this to reverse the changes...
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages" -Name "UndockingDisabled" -Value "00000000" Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" -Name "SearchboxTaskbarMode" -Value "00000001"; Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" -Name "NoTaskGrouping" -Value "00000000"; ./taskkill /f /im explorer.exe; ./CMD /Q /C START /REALTIME explorer.exe;https://winaero.com/how-to-restore-classic-start-menu-in-windows-11-and-get-back-live-tiles/
- dears, i tried but failed, when reversed back i have problem with search in start menu as it can type letter or two then stopped, can you help me?
- after reverse changes, i have problem with searching in start menu
The right key is:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages
New DWORD value UndockingDisabled set to 1
+ restart explorer
As described here: https://winaero.com/how-to-restore-classic-start-menu-in-windows-11-and-get-back-live-tiles/Edit: But it is unusable [by me, maybe somewhere it works OK]. After enabling that property, the Start menu doesn't work (it is not showed anymore) and explorer starting very slow. If I set UndockingDisabled back to 0, Start menu works again (but with icon grouping).
xjikkaTry this instead (it didn't let me post last time.) Restarting explorer is ALWAYS slow...
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope LocalMachine -Force New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages" -Name "UndockingDisabled" -PropertyType DWord -Value "00000001"; Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages" -Name "UndockingDisabled" -Value "00000001"; New-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" -Name "SearchboxTaskbarMode" -PropertyType DWord -Value "00000000"; Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search" -Name "SearchboxTaskbarMode" -Value "00000000"; New-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" -Name "NoTaskGrouping" -PropertyType DWord -Value "00000001"; Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" -Name "NoTaskGrouping" -Value "00000001"; Get-AppxPackage -allusers 1527c705-839a-4832-9118-54d4Bd6a0c89 | Reset-AppxPackage; Get-AppxPackage -allusers c5e2524a-ea46-4f67-841f-6a9465d9d515 | Reset-AppxPackage; Get-AppxPackage -allusers F46D4000-FD22-4DB4-AC8E-4E1DDDE828FE | Reset-AppxPackage; Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.Windows.Search | Reset-AppxPackage; Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | Reset-AppxPackage; Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost | Reset-AppxPackage; Get-AppxPackage -allusers MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS | Reset-AppxPackage; Get-AppxPackage -allusers Windows.CBSPreview | Reset-AppxPackage; Get-AppxPackage -allusers windows.immersivecontrolpanel | Reset-AppxPackage; Get-AppxPackage -allusers Windows.PrintDialog | Reset-AppxPackage; ./taskkill /f /im explorer.exe; ./CMD /Q /C START /REALTIME explorer.exe;
- MS should fix this as soon as possible!!! And Why GPO setting isn't worked? When did MS start breaking even administrative GPO settings?
- Seriously MS? I have a ton of windows open and it helps ungrouping browser assignments in the task bar.
There is no excuse not to. Absolutely regret the decision to click upgrade to Windows 11 based on the lack of this feature. It's going to absolutely kill my productivity and I suspect I'll revert back to Windows 10 before the week is up
- non Productive move by MS , Ungroup option should be provided
- Come on Microsoft - so far Win 11 RTM is looking like an exercise in aesthetics! How about functionality? Since upgrade I am still tweaking the Win11 to make it productive - but forcing taskbar grouping is the worst bit so far! Admins / users need to be able to quickly & easily jump to open apps. Please release an update soon to re-enable this option. Thank you!
